Asexual Furry or Weird Therian?

[NeonLightChild]

I've been pondering over this for a while. More and more I enjoy the idea of dressing up as my equine self (unfortunately this will have to wait until I have $$, time and resources to either buy or make my own materials) HOWEVER, I have no intention of acting as the stereotyped "furry," like one hears in conversation or sees in furry anthro-art. I have no interest in sex whatsoever, much less with someone dressed in an animal costume, and my artwork stays realistic as in NO ANTHRO. That, plus a) I have no skill in drawing reproductive organs, and b) I think my drawings look very nice and stay child-appropriate should our friends or their children stumble upon them. But either way, the thought of simply dressing up and BEING my theriotype has been more and more appealing, however distant it is to happening in reality and in truth, I like to maintain my distance from the furry stereotypes. Hopefully I'll get a finished self-portrait of my equicanis side up in Showcase sometime soon.

I'm not sure if I could be considered a furry (albeit an "asexual" one) or if my therian side is just a bit strong and outgoing. Any help?

[DarkHunter]

Seems normal enough. You're just an everyday Therian who wants to add costume to the whole "mental shift" deal. Its not really furry as you actual do hold the belief and you aren't in it for sexual fetishism.

[West]

I think "retarded" is the word you are looking for.

[DarkWolf]

Seems normal enough. You're just an everyday Therian who wants to add costume to the whole "mental shift" deal. Its not really furry as you actual do hold the belief and you aren't in it for sexual fetishism.
You are aware "furry" doesn't require sex, right? Furry is just wanting or liking dressing up as an athropological animal (a werewolf is anthropological - it means "resembling human" - a wolf walking like a human, etc).

[NeonLightChild]

West, I have to laugh...I probably asked for that, didn't I.

And DW, I actually had no idea about "furry" not requiring sex. It's just that everywhere you look, all the furry/anthro art people are pushing it in your face.

Plus, notice I said that this wouldn't happen until much much later. Perhaps by "much, much later" I'll have grown another couple of brain cells and abandoned the idea :)

[DarkWolf]

It's not a bad idea. And I wouldn't say you deserved being called a retard (or more specifically that your idea was retarded). That was out of order and almost against the rules.

Admittedly there are a lot who pervert the issue to display it as bad. Then again there are also people who use Christianity to justify hate crimes and murder. It's the whole "don't judge the whole from the actions of a few" thing.

The vampire "culture" is largely the same. Mostly, properly, it's just people who like dress-up and the "theme" or roleplay. Some may take it further, but there's still nothing harmful. Of course there are a few idiots who take it well too far into something dangerous (hurting others, sacrificing animals, etc) and it's those who most end up in the media. Because those few end up the most noticeable and shocking it's those who end up setting the example and stereotyping the otherwise harmless practice as something negative.

Furry Art you see often may be bad. However, you're also seeing "furry" when you watch any werewolf that walks on hind legs or has hands. A furry depiction is a creature that is part human, part animal, and is displayed as a mix between the two (it's expected the animal is furry, hence the name, but you'll find this isn't always the case - it's not a rule and even Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are part of the furry fandom).

Most furries may get together to have fun and games just dressed up like an anthropological animal (a werecreature in "anthro form"). It's no different than a fancy dress party or Hallowe'en - people dress up to make a theme and party to that theme. That's all it is to the furry fandom. Some take it further but that's personal choice not a requisite.

Cryobuggy ("Xavious") is also a furry and is currently in the process of making his own fursuit (http://www.alchemyx.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=780).

[DarkHunter]

You are aware "furry" doesn't require sex, right? Furry is just wanting or liking dressing up as an athropological animal (a werewolf is anthropological - it means "resembling human" - a wolf walking like a human, etc).

I can never seem to remember that detail.

[LV426]

[QUOTE=DarkWolf;21026 5]
Most furries may get together to have fun and games just dressed up like an anthropological animal (a werecreature in "anthro form"). It's no different than a fancy dress party or Hallowe'en - people dress up to make a theme and party to that theme. That's all it is to the furry fandom. Some take it further but that's personal choice not a requisite.


It's not Anthropological. It's called Anthropomorphic.

When you ascribe human like attributes to a non-human entity such as a god, goddess, alien, animal, or plant.




Anyway I'm going to say for the record that in my mind I ascribe "furry" to mean sex with human-like animals. Or sex with people in fur-suits, or sex with plushies. It's pretty much gross because as I see it they aren't so much wanting to be the creature in question, they are wanting to be WITH (sexually) the animal.

Basically I think people use it as a way to justify bestiality. Again, that's gross. As for admiring anthropomorphic art or liking anthropomorphic displays in films, cartoons, and art that's cool and it doesn't make you a "furry". By anthro-art I don't mean humanoid animals with human genitalia either. Involving human genitalia basically brings the whole "I want to fuck an animal" mentality into it and that's just gross. I like anthropomorphism, but I wouldn't call myself a furry by any stretch of the word. I also would love to shape-shift but I'm not going to construct a fur-suit to achieve my impossible dream.

I'm not sure what the attraction is for wearing a fursuit or dressing up like the animal/creature in question. I can see for Halloween, but I always went for the coolness factor of dressing up. I just don't get the mentality behind putting on a fur-suit and as for wanting to create a suit to transform yourself into your "therian" personality, well yeah it's nuts. Like Buffalo Bill kind of obsessive. You might need some therapy for this.

[NeonLightChild]

Basically I think people use it as a way to justify bestiality. Again, that's gross. As for admiring anthropomorphic art or liking anthropomorphic displays in films, cartoons, and art that's cool and it doesn't make you a "furry". By anthro-art I don't mean humanoid animals with human genitalia either. Involving human genitalia basically brings the whole "I want to fuck an animal" mentality into it and that's just gross. I like anthropomorphism, but I wouldn't call myself a furry by any stretch of the word. I also would love to shape-shift but I'm not going to construct a fur-suit to achieve my impossible dream.
I agree with your statements. Bestiality is indeed quite a low act, I wouldn't go so far to relate it to performing a sexual act against a child, but neither the child nor the animal have a say in the matter. It's gross, plain and simple.
I'm not sure what the attraction is for wearing a fursuit or dressing up like the animal/creature in question. I can see for Halloween, but I always went for the coolness factor of dressing up. I just don't get the mentality behind putting on a fur-suit and as for wanting to create a suit to transform yourself into your "therian" personality, well yeah it's nuts. Like Buffalo Bill kind of obsessive. You might need some therapy for this.
I'll thank you for the suggestion, but I've had therapy and gained next to nothing from it. And if I may say so myself, I don't see the attraction to a lot of things people do, like blowing themselves up in the name of an imaginary prophet/god, or shooting people in schools and campuses simply because they were bullied or had a bad day, or even being unable to care for the dozens of animals they've "rescued" and left to die in their urine- and feces-filled houses. And much like you, I would recommend therapy. However, I do like to prioritize and pick my battles and honestly, based on my beliefs about were-creatures (which you can probably find through my previous posts), returning to therapy for a mere fantasy which even I acknowledge (and emphasize) might not happen as well as the fact that it doesn't make me any more equine than wearing a buttplug with a tail does, is a waste of money and time, both that of my therapist's and my own.

Please forgive me if that made no sense, however I am gaining an understanding as to how and why some people can become so defensive on this site. It is truly eye-opening to see from the other perspective.

Oh, and one more thing...
And I wouldn't say you deserved being called a retard (or more specifically that your idea was retarded). That was out of order and almost against the rules.
For the word, it's not almost against the rules (http://www.werewolf.com/vb/showthread.php?t=712 7)...it seems to be officially against the rules:
9. Under no circumstances should derogatory comments be made regarding one's socioeconomic placement. In layman's terms, this means:

* No racial slurs.
* No derogatory comments about someone's sexuality.
* No calling anyone retarded; people tend to get offended at this, and "flipping moron" works just as well.
* No calling someone's religion "stupid" just because you disagree.

Please forgive me if I am overstepping bounds or being nitpicky at challenging the words of a Mod. I'm just pointing things out, however misguided or wrong my intentions may be.

[DarkWolf]

It's not Anthropological. It's called Anthropomorphic.Than k you for the correction.
that in my mind I ascribe "furry" to meanBasically I think people use it as a way to justify bestiality.Therein lies the problem. Of the furries I have talked to their perception of the furry fandom and what your mind ascribes it to be are very different.
I also would love to shape-shift but I'm not going to construct a fur-suit to achieve my impossible dream.

I'm not sure what the attraction is for wearing a fursuit or dressing up like the animal/creature in question.Mostly, it's not to pretend or to achieve some impossible feat of shapeshifting. It just feels good. Clothes can affect us psychologically, how we dress plays a part in how we feel. It's fun for them to dress up in a 'fursuit' on occassion, they like it, and nobody is harmed. It's a more extreme version of dressing formally to a dinner at a restaurant. It can seem more fitting for that occassion and may feel better or more comfortable than dressing very casually or wearing nothing but underwear. I don't understand why some people like coffee so much; doesn't mean I'm going to assume drinking coffee is a sign of needing therapy though. I can understand the reason for the difference, you see, it's this weird and magical thing called "preference". I trust you've heard of the term?

create a suit to transform yourself into your "therian" personality, well yeah it's nutsI fail to see why. In sexuality there's leather and S&M, in non-sex-related terms there's also wearing a suit for work even if there's no dress code (or why there's even a dress code at all) and priest robes and kimonos still in modern Japanese culture. Everyone adopts a personality for specific ends. Dressing in clothing relative to that personality is a way to do it. Many do this on a day-to-day basis. Fursuits are more extreme version but the principles behind it are exactly the same.

You might need some therapy for this.If the therapist was interested in only money they'll drag it out with long talking sessions. If the therapist was interested in helping people s/he'd simply say "so what?" (It's amazing what you learn from psychology in college, isn't it?)

For the word, it's not almost against the rules...it seems to be officially against the rules:In one way it isn't since Silverito (West) was describing the idea as retarded but was not stating you were retarded. Of course the statement may indicate his inferring you as a retard, but to save hassle lets not assume that's the case, eh?

Please forgive me if I am overstepping boundsYou are not. Although we tend to get leniency for any overly harsh comments made towards the upteenth number of n00bs/Tr00 W3r3s we deal with we are not above the rules. If you think or feel that any moderator is being unnecessarily unfair, mean, harsh, or derogatory to you then you should contact other moderators or the administration (LV426 and Chriz [and Dana's admin as well but he's kinda the tech support, he probably won't be helpful :p]) about it via PM. We'll do our best to help and were selected for our ability to be as unbiased as possible. :)

[LV426]

While some people can say it's perfectly innocent and fine to dress up as an animal the question that lies therein is why one is dressing up. Many of the "furries" I've spoken with are using it as a crutch. They don't feel like they can face the world without a mask and a suit to hide in. In fact many are unable to interact with people UNLESS they are in a fur-suit. There is always some underlying reason why one is indulging in a particular type of fetish. There are healthy reasons, but it's always a good idea to make sure that you aren't using it as a crutch or using it to hide other issues within yourself.

What someone does in the privacy of their own home is fine as long as no one or thing is hurt against their will but if someone is going to ask me to tell them that it's ok for them to transform themselves through mechanical measures into a horse, I'm not going to say that's ok. It may very well be innocent but on the other hand it could lead to further mental issues. Since Neon asked for opinions I gave one. It may not be the same for everyone but that's pretty much why it's called an opinion.

[Goth Girl]

I found afew people who call themselves "furries" here in MN and when I asked them about the matter it was more of a sexual thing. They claimed they didn't do the plushie thing and that it's more of a foreplay thing. They claimed (not saying they didn't lie cuz I don't really know them) that's it's more like when you fool around with your partner and you dress up. It has this mental effect that just makes things more exciting. And that's the only part I don't get. If they are into beastiality, yeah, that's gross, but how is it sooooo nasty for them to just have sex. People have one night stands and sutch all the time and I never hear that it's bad. People dress up all the time as a cowboy, or a soldier, or yes, even a dog or cat to spice up their sex lives. Unless the "furry" is into orgies, beastiality, and/or "plushies", I really don't see any difference between them or anyone else when it comes to their sexual happenings. Has it not been said on this site already that that type of stuff is normal. Like using a "toy". Maybe I don't think it's right for me but others take a liking to that type of stuff and I really don't see what's wrong with it then if the "furry" is in it for THAT type of pleasure and excitement. And please, I know how someone will get down on me for this post, so I am not trying nor think I am a sexpert. There, now atleast no one can try to get me by saying I am trying to be one. But please, any other info as to how that's wrong for the "furry" to be in it for the sex like ALOT of other people around the world?

[Xavious]

In my view of things, furries are just people who love animals (other than humans and often anthropomorphic). Usually this manifests itself in art, rp, literature and even animation. Furry doesn't necessarily entail sexuality nor a preference of any sort. While sexuality is within the fandom (as is with nearly every fandom if one is willing to search enough), it's certainly not as rampant as some think (case and point fur cons have explicitly stated ratings and any form of "heavy petting" is not tolerated). Admittedly, there are those who take things to a level I'd rather not get into to detail about. Personally, I have mild sexual interests, almost to the point of being asexual.

In truth, I was therian long before I was furry (or rather discovered I was such as some would term it) and still consider myself a mix of both. To me, the wolf (my phenotype/fursona) is something of a "spiritual" connection to nature while at the same time an expression of who I am.

But in the end it's all a matter of labels. It's your choice what you want to be called. Oh, and if you need some help building an equine suit send me a PM.

[---Arawn---]

Unless the "furry" is into orgies, beastiality, and/or "plushies", I really don't see any difference between them or anyone else when it comes to their sexual happenings. Has it not been said on this site already that that type of stuff is normal. Like using a "toy". Maybe I don't think it's right for me but others take a liking to that type of stuff and I really don't see what's wrong with it then if the "furry" is in it for THAT type of pleasure and excitement.

Well, would you find "normal" to someone use human parts in their sex fantasies? It's like using a "toy"...

Dressing as a cowboy, or nurse or anything like this ir really ok... But dressing as antropormophic animals? For sure it's weird...

But I would like to state that I'm not saying that it is morally wrong, I'm just saying that's not "normal", that's just... odd...

[Goth Girl]

Yeah, maybe a little weird. I just always hear people saying it's wrong. Their art is wrong from what I've seen, I just didn't think they should be put down for being a little odd.

[wyrm-takes-last]

From an outsiders perspective (wikipedia) the difference between therianthropy and furry-fandom is debatable. There are probably even people out there that think that they are identical, not that I agree with them. I often view furries and innocent, aloof, playful, sometimes sexual, and simply taking on physical personality traits of an ideal version of their favorite animal. And another thing that can also be noted, furries seem often to be associated with small, captive or herbivorous animals such as cats, rabbits, squirrels and so on, while therianthropes seem to be more associated with large, or most often predatory animals, primarily being wolves and big cats. This may have something to do with it, then again it may have nothing to do with it, its something to think about though. Anyway, while furries are playful and nonchalant, therianthropes tend to be deep, spiritual, and serious, when it comes to therianthropy anyway.

So you see neon, the question you have to ask yourself is, WHY do you want to dress up like a whatever? And, more importantly, how do you associate yourself with that animal? And, theres no rule that says that something cannot be furry and therian at the same time is there? Maybe there is, can a person take on the ideal animal personality while maintaining a deep, sometimes called spiritual connection with it?

[Goth Girl]

Cats are omnivours.

[Ryn Dejuren]

I myself indulge ina furry ideals..I like to play Furry games and I am even contemplating a furry suit, though I also run into Time Money and other issues. I have no sexual attraction animals and I am mostly found outside my house. My huge question is, If you enjoy it Neon, why does it matter? You aren't hurting ayone or anything so it should be something you can enjoy. Much like DW said earlier. Its relaxing to me..I find that when I slip into a character of mine(Furadia, furry based MMOrpg.) I can relax easily. If you'd like to hang with us Furrys, check out Furc, its a great game and lots of fun. =)

[DarkWolf]

Cats are omnivours.

No they're not. Cats are strict carnivores and require the digestion of meat in order to sustain their life. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores in that they are able to live solely on vegetation without meat BUT are still in the order of Carnivora despite being omnivores because while they don't require meat to live they do require it to be healthy.

<-- Cat fan.

[Goth Girl]

I ment in the sense that they can eat grass and house plants. I know they need meat to be healthy but we were taught that they can be considered as omnivours for the fact that they can handle the green stuff. Hell, our cats LOVE eating salad. And we have some of the healthiest cats around. One of our house cats only ever ate salad. It hated meat and that cat lived a good 8 years. It only died cause my dad let it outta the house and the neighbor dog got ahold of her. So most cats like meat and are clasified as carnivours. That doesn't mean they are indeed just carnivours. Scientists, zoologists, they all fuck up with classification some time or another. Look at the ordeal with Pluto. Now it isn't a planet anymore. Oh, and back to my herbavourous cat. She had the nicest coat her vet ever saw. Teeth were pearly white. Strong digestive tract like she should have. Was the perfect weight. And to think when we found her she was just a stray that the neighbor wanted shot. A few years after we saved her she one first place in a local cat show. And she only ate SALAD. Maybe docs are right, milk is good for ya cuz that's what she drank other than water and orange juice.

[DarkWolf]

Sure, yeah, whatever you say. :rolleyes:

[Goth Girl]

Eh, whatever. As I said, zoologists have catagorized things wrong before. Who's says they're not with cats?

[DarkWolf]

Eh, whatever. As I said, zoologists have catagorized things wrong before. Who's says they're not with cats?
Because after studying them for what, two thousand years, the big brains would have gotten something as simple as dietery classification right.

[ThrasherCub]

But I would like to state that I'm not saying that it is morally wrong, I'm just saying that's not "normal", that's just... odd...
Saying something, especially something sexual, isn't "normal" doesn't mean much. Let's look at the things which are not "normal."

normal
–adjective
1. conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.

Standard: Homosexuality/Bisexuality.
Common: Bondage, watersports, and depending on where you are, anything where the woman is dominant.
Usual / Not regular: Any position even remotely creative.
Not Natural: The enjoyment of tattoos, peircings, or shaving of any kind.

So, by definition, anyone with a sex life even aproximating healthy is most probably abnormal. :)

Their art is wrong from what I've seen
How? By what standards are you judging?

[---Arawn---]

Saying something, especially something sexual, isn't "normal" doesn't mean much. Let's look at the things which are not "normal."


That's why I putted the word between "" (can't remember the name of this in english =P). I don't like to use the term "normal" cause it's meaning really depends on your interpretation of "normal"... But I meant that it's something weird to most of the population... And by that it means much...

[ThrasherCub]

I mostly wanted to keep people from interpreting that statement stupidly. The Lycan thread in the Mythology section is proof that we have stupid people among us.

[Transform me]

Stupid people can sometime be funny... ^give them credit ^ ^