Meerkat Prompts: Furries
Let’s kick-start Meerkat Musings with a dose of self-honesty. For years I have skirted around the edges of this subject and for the life of me, I do not understand why. I make regular use of a meerkat avatar, so it may be rather obvious to anyone who follows me on Twitter or elsewhere on social media, but I have stopped short of admitting the obvious to myself.
I am a furry.
I have held back on this admission out of fear. Fear is so often the enemy of us all, and it can hold us back, but what let it hold me back here? People have some preconceived notions about furries, including but not limited to the idea that furries literally use litter-boxes, and that furries are all sexual deviants. It’s certainly true there is a sexual component to the furry fandom, but then again, there are sexual components to most fandoms. One need only take a cursory glance at pretty much any franchise, and you will find such an element. This does not mean it’s the be-all and end-all of it. The furry community, whilst not without its problems, tends to be among the most welcoming of spaces for members of the LGBT community, and also serves as a tremendously creative backdrop, with tons of incredible art, music and animation.
It is also worth noting that furries tend to be leaders in fields of computing and IT. It could be argued that we are what helps keep the world wide web going (not me personally, I can assure you!).
So, why do furries get so much hate and derision? Well, as mentioned, the fandom tends to be a safe space for the LGBT community. What is it that many die-hard conservatives, especially those of a deeply religious persuasion, absolutely loathe? Yup, you guessed it, the LGBT community. They associate the LGBT community with all sorts of sensationalist dangers, and so by further association, furries are lumped into the same category. You also have people who latch on to the risque elements, and who use those elements to make blanket assertions, usually with little or no research. Their complaints are often deeply ironic, considering the number of predators within the ranks of organised religion (google religious sex scandals, and take a look at the number of results, it’s staggering).
In short, I am part of a colourful community, a welcoming community, where people are not judged. It is a warm and friendly space for all-comers, unfairly and ignorantly demonised by communities that, rather ironically, host more danger.
