What is NOT furry?

Unfortunately, thanks to some laughably ridiculous media "coverage" from the ilk of MTV, CBS, and the like, many people have a completely incorrect idea of what furry is. Below are some of the ideas that the media commonly propagates,, ranging from exaggerations to sheer fabrication:

"Furries are people who have sex in fursuits." This one is laughable. Unfortunately, virtually every TV show that has mentioned furries has portrayed the community as being like this. Their version is simply a ploy to increase ratings, and has no relation to reality. As mentioned below, only a small percentage of furries have fursuits, and those that do don't have sex in them.

"Furries rape animals." This is another completely laughable myth, and it's sad how many people believe it. The vast majority of furries are strongly against any abuse of animals, and many would view it as equivalent to raping a human.

"Furry is a sexual fetish." By far the most common myth, and covers many of the other myths in this section. For the vast majority of furries, being furry has absolutely nothing to do with sex, and most furries are insulted if you think about them this way. Just to repeat myself: For the vast majority of furries, being furry has nothing at all to do with sex.

"All furries are gay." A recent survey found only a few percent of furries are gay, and it's expected the number is only slightly larger than the population at large, if it's larger at all. This myth is further propagated by the mistaken idea that any male who shows emotions is homosexual, an idea that has no basis in reality.

"Furry conventions are giant orgies." Related to the myth that furries have sex in fursuits, this is another completely laughable media fabrication. More sex probably goes on at a Star Trek or Pokemon convention. Actual convention events usually include a wide range of art classes ranging from beginning sketching to inking to painting to advanced metal casting, writing classes, educational lectures on a wide variety of subjects (sometimes ones not even related to being furry... for example, a recent convention had a class on copyright law), a costume contest, classes on fursuit construction or on apparel accessories such as ears and tails, and sometimes a variety show or a dance. No nudity, are certainly no orgies and wild parties.
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