A "furry" refers to someone who has a strong interest in anthropomorphic animals – that is, animals with human characteristics. This interest can manifest in various ways, including enjoying media featuring such characters, creating their own anthropomorphic characters (fursonas), dressing up in fursuits, or participating in the broader furry community.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
What is Anthropomorphism?
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to animals. This can include things like:
Walking on two legs, Talking, Exhibiting human intelligence and emotions, and Wearing clothes.
The Furry Fandom:
The furry fandom is a subculture of people who share a fascination with anthropomorphic animals. It's a diverse community that includes:
Fans: People who enjoy media featuring anthropomorphic animals (e.g., cartoons, video games, movies).
Artists: People who create artwork featuring these characters.
Writers: People who write stories or create role-playing scenarios featuring fursonas.
Costume Enthusiasts (Fursuiters): People who create and wear elaborate animal costumes.
Role-players: People who create and embody anthropomorphic characters in online or offline settings.
Fursonas:
Many furries develop a "fursona," which is an anthropomorphic animal character they identify with and use as a representation of themselves, especially within the fandom.
Inclusivity and Diversity:
The furry fandom is known for its inclusivity and diversity, encompassing people from various backgrounds, -blam!- orientations, and gender identities.
Misconceptions:
The furry fandom is often subject to misconceptions and negative stereotypes. However, the vast majority of furries are simply people who enjoy a particular form of creative expression and community engagement.
(In other words, its a --blam!--kink)
There was a documentary on "Furries" I saw long ago, about the time it started to gather some "traction" as it were. And from what I gathered when it started it was mostly people who had no confidence in themselves and just didn't like who they were as people so their "Fursona's" were the only way they felt comfortable, like wearing a mask.
It was actually incredibly depressing, all these hated who they were so they had to pretend to be something they weren't, nothing new of course.
But as of now, it has to be like 90%+ of people who have a certain kind of problem... basically I ain't letting my dog near them.