What is being a Furry really all about and what does that have to do with the LGBTQ community? First of all, not all Furries identify as LGBTQ. In fact, some don’t consider their fandom part of their sexuality or wear the Fursuits associated with the term.
However, many Furries do have a Fursona – an avatar for themselves with a mix of human and animal characteristics. They may attend conventions, roleplay online or create videos while inhabiting that character. And, yes, some of them have sexual relations while fully or partially costumed, and some of that sex will be with partners of the same gender.
The term “Yiff” may refer to sexual content about Furries or Furries having sex. Some debate the term’s origins, but it may be an onomatopoeic word for the sound arctic foxes make. However, though the Furry fandom has become culturally synonymous with Yiff, what it means to be a Furry is more about creation and imagination.
The Furry fandom is a complex world – encompassing everyone from dabblers to Furries who have come to completely identify with their Fursonas. And even Furries who do not identify as LGBTQ deal with similar issues. These include how and whom to come out to and finding ways to connect with other members of their community.
If you don’t identify as a Furry or even find the idea off-putting, it’s important to remember that is how many straight people felt – and continue to feel – about LGBTQ people. So it’s better to seek to understand rather than judge. For some personal explorations of both what it means to be an LGBTQ Furry and what the fandom has in common with LGBTQ people, check out the videos below:
Coming Out as Gay and a Furry
“Look, I get that I’m flamboyant, but being in a community that encourages self expression and creativity,” says Majira Strawberry. “In these communities it is not uncommon for straight people to not follow the norms. So really, you don’t know if someone is gay until they tell you. And now I’m telling you.”
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Do Furries Belong at Gay Pride?
“This is a bunch of Furries marching at various Pride parades in full suit – often in the scorching summer sun – flaunting their costumes in public, representing Furries at a celebration of LGBTQ rights,” according to Culturally F’d. “So what are we doing here?”
This Furry Book Made Me Gay
“It’s weird to realize how my story has changed over the past ten years,” says David Popovich. “And it happened on a random night on a Furry porn site.”
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Being Transgender in the Furry Fandom
“The Furry Fandom is a pretty awesome place – full of accepting people and diverse lifestyles,” explains Ash Coyote. “What I’m going to talk about today is my experience coming out in the fandom as transgender.”
How the Furry Fandom Helped me Come Out as Asexual
“Just a couple of years ago, I didn’t really care about LGBT people. I thought transitioning genders was silly and stupid. And my basic thought process was: they do their thing, I’ll do mine,” says Vix N dwnq. “But then I met people who were gay, lesbian, trans, bi and so on and it changed my life.”
Looking Back on Coming Out as Gay
“I’m gay. I say it all the time. I’m gay. But there was a time in my life when people didn’t know I was gay. I didn’t even know I was gay” says Odin Wolf. “I’m going to tell you the story about how I came out of the closet as gay.”
Meet SonicFox, The Queer Furry Who’s Destroying Everyone Else At Fighting Games
“Dominique McLean – also known as Sonic Fox,” according to Kotaku, “has won more tournament prize money than any other fighting games player. He stands out for a lot of reasons.”
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Last modified: December 17, 2019
