Presenting ourselves as Furries and Anthros: Please read and reply
What's happen everyone?
I'm wondering if any of you can do me a favor (not asking for money). I'm currently taking a class about cross cultural sexuality and one of the requirements for the course is that we have to do a presentation on the sexual practices of either a country of our choosing or a sexual practice itself (swingers, polygamy, etc). To me, this was a golden opportunity to present the Furry/Anthropomorphic community in a light different than what is presented by the mass media and prime-time television dramas. Since I am the one doing the presentation, I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible and including my own opinions wouldn't be fair.
No doubt, most of you are aware of how shows like CSI, True Life, and other shows have portrayed the anthro community. Depending on the person and their practices you may or may not agree with their assessment, but I don't want MTV telling me what they think.
I want to hear it from the horse's mouth. (Pun intended).
I would like to hear what all of you have to say about all this. Below I've written out some questions and I would be extremely grateful if you took the time to respond to them. Look at this as a way to represent yourself without being tainted by Networks looking to score a story and dramatize everything. Answer any and all you feel comfortable with.
Do you consider yourself a "furry/anthro/plushie"? If so, are you open about it?
What does the lifestyle "furry" or "anthro" mean to you? (What aspects of the anthro community to you participate in?)
Would you consider this a lifestyle or simply a hobby?
For you, why is it that you find anthropomorphic characters interesting/attractive/alluring?
When did you first become aware that you were a "furry"?
In your opinion where do you think this interest originates from?
Because most of the anthropomorphic community's activity is web based, would you consider this to be a culture in itself?
Have you ever had sexual intercourse while wearing a "fursuit"? If not, would this be something you'd be interested in?
Have you attended a convention like Furcon before? If so, what was your experience like?
How do you feel the outside world views the anthropomorphic community?
If applicable, does your character's sexuality differ from yours in real life? If so, why do you think this is?
Do you find derogatory slurs like "furfag" offensive?
What is your view on anti furry groups?
Age?
Sexuality?
Gender?
Again, answer any and all questions you feel comfortable with in the comments section. I appreciate everything you're willing to share, but the more you answer and explain the more thorough of a report I can give. I'm not judging anyone, so please don't let that hamper you in any way! Be brutally honest. Feel free to message me with responses if you'd rather not post for all to see or email me at [email protected].
Finally, if you don't mind favoring this submission, that would be great. Let me emphasize that I'm not trying to get my number up or anything. I just would like to circulate this as best as possible and get responses across the board. Give it a week or two, then unfavor it. Like I said, I'm simply trying to get as many responses as possible by reaching as many as I can. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
I really value your input, and would love to hear it. Remember, this is your time to represent!
Again, thanks for the help!
Jack F.