Furry Subculture
Furries are people who enjoy or embody animals with human traits.
The Furry community is global, made up of artists, gamers, writers, and role players that value diversity, inclusion, and tolerance.
Although there’s some overlap between a sexual interest in stuffed animals (plushophilia) and furry interests, not all Furries consider their interest in anthropomorphic animals (anthros for short) a fetish. Many Furries are drawn to the subculture purely for a sense of belonging or freedom of expression. Much like the kink lifestyle as a whole, Furries are people looking for connection and a safe space to explore their identities, and Furries often find it just as difficult (and at times dangerous) to be open about their identity as kinksters do.
It’s better to consider the Furry subculture as a large fandom, rather than as a fetish. But it’s is one of the most common fetishes people will think of when they’re asked to think of one at random. Someone might call to mind images of conventions and clubs filled with people dressed as various zoo animals engaging in debauchery, and there’s an enduring stigmatisation against what’s really a welcoming and creatively expressive subculture.
Furries create and wear a fursona, which is a personalised character. It represents their alter ego or identity within the Furry community. Fursonas can be highly detailed, with specific species, colours, personalities, and backstories.
Fursuiting involves wearing full-body costumes to embody this fursona. These suits can range from simple outfits to elaborate, custom-made costumes. What's known as a Partial Suit includes parts like the head, hands, and tail, whereas a Full Suit covers the entire body, often with intricate designs and features.
Large conventions and forum groups exist globally for Furries to meet and engage together, as well as local events like fundraisers, parties, and hangouts. Events might include a showcase for fursonas, Furry-related art, or dedicated stalls selling equipment and crafting supplies, as well as enactments of storytelling and role-playing scenes, and other typical social interactions.
Whilst not all Furries engage in the subculture as part of their sexual expression, some Furries do find sexual pleasure in the lifestyle. In these cases, they may use terms like ‘pawing off’ to describe in-character masturbation, or the term ‘yiff’ to describe sexual activity or content involving Furries. Yiff is also, however, used as a slur against Furries by those who disagree with their practices.
