Some of my readers may read the title and think cute little pets. Not quite. I am a fan of anthropomorphic (animals and other non-humans that display human characteristics), otherwise known as "furry." This past weekend, my husband and I attended a furry convention known as FurFright. It was a great time; I saw a few old friends and met many new ones. Most of all, I got my batteries charged and my creative writing got a good kick in the derriere.
Before some of you may think, "Oh, like the one on the TV show CSI?" No. Definitely not like the CSI episode. While I cannot speak for all furry conventions, I would like to take some time here and show you what I see and experience, hopefully giving you an idea of why I enjoy FurFright so much.
Acceptance: This is one of the biggest things that draws me to furry fandom. People accept each other, regardless of outward appearance, background, world location, economic level, sexual preference, religion, political affiliation, nationality and many other lines which humanity divides itself. When you see a wolf sharing a hug with a rabbit, or the lion and ram sitting down in a friendly conversation, it gives hope for the rest of us. We can go beyond the social divisions and see the person deep within, regardless of outward appearances.
Hugs: Growing up, hugs were rare in my life, even among family members or good friends. I find a friendly hug a good thing. It lifts the spirit, shows that you care and others care about you. There is even evidence to indicate that hugs help heal. Even if you are not into being hugged, you can't help but see them at this conference. The people that attend are open, friendly and good-natured. If one doesn't get their share of hugs there, they are purposely keeping to themselves.
Creativity: The furry fandom has a plethora of creativity, in every possible avenue one can imagine. Artwork, costuming and writing are the three biggest ones, and there are many panels on these. Then there are others: film-making, animation, voice-over, sound-effects, podcasting, dancing, drumming, music-making, make-up (costuming, not the stuff from women's magazines), photography, videography, origami, kirigami, wood-carving, sculpture, soft-sculpture, etc. - even ham-radio operations and classic cars that I saw this year. Given our nature, we're very generous with sharing what we've learned with others - furry and non-furry.
Playful: In a world of social rules, regulations and restrictions, it's good to find a place where one can relax and let their playful side out, without the need of drugs or alcohol. At FurFright, one did not need either as an excuse to "be a kid" - even the "gray-muzzles" like myself that carry an AARP card. There is something in seeing the world through a child's eyes; those who have kids or spend time showing kids the world can understand this statement. Even as an adult, we can shed the "worldly weight" of years and be a kid again for a short time. Even the hotel staff were wearing costumed ears by the end of the convention, including the manager. :D We seem to learn more, accept each other more and get along better when we are child-like. That's "child-like", not "childish." Temper-tantrums weren't part of the convention. ;-)
Inter-generational Sharing: Since I mentioned "gray-muzzle" in the prior paragraph, I should add this point here. One morning while I was in the lobby, I got into a conversation with those seated there. One person commented that he was getting too old to stay up all night. I commented that he was still young, to which he adamantly rebuked me with "Well I'm 20 now! I'm not that young any more." LoL Joking aside, what transpired next is what touched me inside. The younger generations actually listened to what the older ones shared, not just in fandom experiences but in life. And then the 20-somethings shared with us what they saw and the nuggets their own short life has brought them, such as a suggestion that every new driver should go out on calls to accidents before they get their full driver's license. What's even more amazing; the older generations LISTENED to the younger ones too. We don't see that often; it's something that should be done though. Age brings wisdom, but every generation has something to contribute. None of us are too old or too young to share and we should be willing to listen to all ages.
Generosity: Sometimes it seems those who have little, give much. While many in the fandom cram four or more into a hotel room to save on the costs of attending a con, very few are stingy in donating. Each furry conference that I know has a non-profit charity to which they donate. Not just a cut of the admission/membership costs, they hold charity auctions where others contribute goods to auction off. FurFright even has a bucket-brigade that goes around and asks for pocket change; it adds up. Most furry conventions sponsor animal-based charities, such as no-kill shelters, greyhound retirement/adoption, aide-dog organizations, wolf park and other natural reserves. FurFright sponsored War Dogs this year, more of which can be found here.
But I think the true nature of our generosity showed a few years ago, again at FurFright. One day security was notified that someone had stolen the head of a costume. Many in the furry community know these heads are handmade and can go for several thousand dollars. But those at the convention were actually shocked; we could barely conceive someone stealing the head. In the fandom, that is equivalent to stealing a person's character. It wasn't an attendee but a hotel staff member that stole the head. While it was the last day of the three-day conference, and many of those attending were "flat broke," a bucket-brigade went around and most turned out all the free money they had and collectively donated it to the head's owner. As each head is completely unique, it would never replace what was lost, but it helped toward getting a new one. When one of us is in need, we give all we can indeed.
Mature content: To some, "furry" is synonymous with "porn." I'd like to clarify something here. It's NOT. While there are some artwork or writings with mature content, the society in general does adhere to strict guidelines: no one under 18. Period. Even in the panels, we checked around the room to ensure that there was no minors. If there was, even our discussions were "G-rated."
Spiritual: There is also a spiritual side to the fandom, including a panel on Furry Spirituality. The fandom follows many different world religions, including Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, Druidic, Shamanistic, Buddhist, Taoist, etc. We don't judge each other and even learn more of each other at this con. I would like to share something I took away from this year's panel. We - humanity - are not the body others see in this world. That does not define us. We are the spirit within the body. We are interconnected to each other and this world. And we are far, far greater than what many think being "human" is.
There are some that turn to furfandom, otherkin, Harry Potter or the growing trend of vampires and werewolves because they believe being "human" is just what they see - greed, corruption, cruelty, war, hardship, bullies, and all the evils they see of the world from the news reports. Let's face it, if a winged unicorn landed in New York's Central Park and started farting rainbows and a mugger attacked someone in the South Bronx, and that was the ONLY two events that happened in New York City that day, every news person would be in the South Bronx to cover that story. The media covers all the worst parts of humanity. There are many, many more beautiful things that happen, many bright moments of humanity, but they so often are lost amidst the noise that the media puts out. What we are - what humanity is - is something that can do great good or great harm. It's our choice. We can reflect the darkness, or let our light shine. Some need to step "outside" human perimeters because they only see the darkness there; I don't blame them. Let the light shine where it can, and that light will be brought back to the rest of humanity when they are ready to accept it.
Before some of you may think, "Oh, like the one on the TV show CSI?" No. Definitely not like the CSI episode.
Acceptance: This is one of the biggest things that draws me to furry fandom. People accept each other, regardless of outward appearance, background, world location, economic level, sexual preference, religion, political affiliation, nationality and many other lines which humanity divides itself. When you see a wolf sharing a hug with a rabbit, or the lion and ram sitting down in a friendly conversation, it gives hope for the rest of us. We can go beyond the social divisions and see the person deep within, regardless of outward appearances.
Hugs: Growing up, hugs were rare in my life, even among family members or good friends. I find a friendly hug a good thing. It lifts the spirit, shows that you care and others care about you. There is even evidence to indicate that hugs help heal. Even if you are not into being hugged, you can't help but see them at this conference. The people that attend are open, friendly and good-natured. If one doesn't get their share of hugs there, they are purposely keeping to themselves.
Creativity: The furry fandom has a plethora of creativity, in every possible avenue one can imagine. Artwork, costuming and writing are the three biggest ones, and there are many panels on these. Then there are others: film-making, animation, voice-over, sound-effects, podcasting, dancing, drumming, music-making, make-up (costuming, not the stuff from women's magazines), photography, videography, origami, kirigami, wood-carving, sculpture, soft-sculpture, etc. - even ham-radio operations and classic cars that I saw this year. Given our nature, we're very generous with sharing what we've learned with others - furry and non-furry.
Playful: In a world of social rules, regulations and restrictions, it's good to find a place where one can relax and let their playful side out, without the need of drugs or alcohol. At FurFright, one did not need either as an excuse to "be a kid" - even the "gray-muzzles" like myself that carry an AARP card. There is something in seeing the world through a child's eyes; those who have kids or spend time showing kids the world can understand this statement. Even as an adult, we can shed the "worldly weight" of years and be a kid again for a short time.
Inter-generational Sharing: Since I mentioned "gray-muzzle" in the prior paragraph, I should add this point here. One morning while I was in the lobby, I got into a conversation with those seated there. One person commented that he was getting too old to stay up all night. I commented that he was still young, to which he adamantly rebuked me with "Well I'm 20 now! I'm not that young any more." LoL Joking aside, what transpired next is what touched me inside. The younger generations actually listened to what the older ones shared, not just in fandom experiences but in life. And then the 20-somethings shared with us what they saw and the nuggets their own short life has brought them, such as a suggestion that every new driver should go out on calls to accidents before they get their full driver's license. What's even more amazing; the older generations LISTENED to the younger ones too. We don't see that often; it's something that should be done though. Age brings wisdom, but every generation has something to contribute. None of us are too old or too young to share and we should be willing to listen to all ages.
Generosity: Sometimes it seems those who have little, give much. While many in the fandom cram four or more into a hotel room to save on the costs of attending a con, very few are stingy in donating. Each furry conference that I know has a non-profit charity to which they donate. Not just a cut of the admission/membership costs, they hold charity auctions where others contribute goods to auction off. FurFright even has a bucket-brigade that goes around and asks for pocket change; it adds up. Most furry conventions sponsor animal-based charities, such as no-kill shelters, greyhound retirement/adoption, aide-dog organizations, wolf park and other natural reserves. FurFright sponsored War Dogs this year, more of which can be found here.
But I think the true nature of our generosity showed a few years ago, again at FurFright. One day security was notified that someone had stolen the head of a costume. Many in the furry community know these heads are handmade and can go for several thousand dollars. But those at the convention were actually shocked; we could barely conceive someone stealing the head. In the fandom, that is equivalent to stealing a person's character. It wasn't an attendee but a hotel staff member that stole the head. While it was the last day of the three-day conference, and many of those attending were "flat broke," a bucket-brigade went around and most turned out all the free money they had and collectively donated it to the head's owner. As each head is completely unique, it would never replace what was lost, but it helped toward getting a new one. When one of us is in need, we give all we can indeed.
Mature content: To some, "furry" is synonymous with "porn." I'd like to clarify something here. It's NOT. While there are some artwork or writings with mature content, the society in general does adhere to strict guidelines: no one under 18. Period. Even in the panels, we checked around the room to ensure that there was no minors. If there was, even our discussions were "G-rated."
Spiritual: There is also a spiritual side to the fandom, including a panel on Furry Spirituality. The fandom follows many different world religions, including Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, Druidic, Shamanistic, Buddhist, Taoist, etc. We don't judge each other and even learn more of each other at this con. I would like to share something I took away from this year's panel. We - humanity - are not the body others see in this world. That does not define us. We are the spirit within the body. We are interconnected to each other and this world. And we are far, far greater than what many think being "human" is.
There are some that turn to furfandom, otherkin, Harry Potter or the growing trend of vampires and werewolves because they believe being "human" is just what they see - greed, corruption, cruelty, war, hardship, bullies, and all the evils they see of the world from the news reports. Let's face it, if a winged unicorn landed in New York's Central Park and started farting rainbows and a mugger attacked someone in the South Bronx, and that was the ONLY two events that happened in New York City that day, every news person would be in the South Bronx to cover that story. The media covers all the worst parts of humanity. There are many, many more beautiful things that happen, many bright moments of humanity, but they so often are lost amidst the noise that the media puts out. What we are - what humanity is - is something that can do great good or great harm. It's our choice. We can reflect the darkness, or let our light shine. Some need to step "outside" human perimeters because they only see the darkness there; I don't blame them. Let the light shine where it can, and that light will be brought back to the rest of humanity when they are ready to accept it.
- ESA / (Miss Cellaneous Mouse)
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