Newcomer Very new to this... but SO glad I found it.

[Simo]

Possibly one of the things that's holding me back about coming out.. and PLEASE DO FORGIVE ME for saying this: 80+% of the community is 'non-straight', and I'd just get tired of answering "Oh, so you're gay now?" questions.

While gays are over represented in furdom as compared to the PaL, this isn't ahywhere near the case: Fur Science: Sex, Gender, and Gender Identity

Welcome to the Pile, Jake

 

[JakeTheDog]

While gays are over represented in furdom as compared to the PaL, this isn't ahywhere near the case: Fur Science: Sex, Gender, and Gender Identity

Welcome to the Pile, Jake

Thanks for the welcome. I've been deep diving over the last couple of weeks and I'm not so worried now. Yes, I saw that report and various analysis and interpretations. Interesting stuff. It also seems that the 'loudest' voices are the ones most heard or seen. I've kind of been through this a little being part of the FPV drone flying community. The media thinks we're all terrorists, but in reality every single person we've met in the field is lovely about what we do and we often give 'ride alongs' where someone lends a pair of goggles to a passer by and tunes in to someone else flying. I saw some videos of folk out fursuiting in public actually trying, it seems to get negative reactions and pretty much everyone was fine apart from two twits, which to be fair, the furries provoked.

 

[Mambi]

Thanks for the welcome. I've been deep diving over the last couple of weeks and I'm not so worried now. Yes, I saw that report and various analysis and interpretations. Interesting stuff. It also seems that the 'loudest' voices are the ones most heard or seen. I've kind of been through this a little being part of the FPV drone flying community. The media thinks we're all terrorists, but in reality every single person we've met in the field is lovely about what we do and we often give 'ride alongs' where someone lends a pair of goggles to a passer by and tunes in to someone else flying. I saw some videos of folk out fursuiting in public actually trying, it seems to get negative reactions and pretty much everyone was fine apart from two twits, which to be fair, the furries provoked.

That's just it...when people start wearing their stuff out and about, it's only natural to have a racing heart while assuming everyone's staring and laughing or whatever and that you might as well be walking around casually on fire, wondering if you're insane to even be thinking of being in public in character! When I first started wearing my fangs and tail and ears I felt that way, like everyone's elbowing their friend and going "OMG, look at the freak that's coming!!". This assumes you're just living your life of course and not actively trying to provoke as you mentioned.

BUT after a few days and multiple experiences, you realize that the vast majority of people simply...do...not...care. It's oddly refreshing to see that most people's reactions will be a grin and a "Huh!" at best, or they'll out of obvious politeness they'll literally ignore it completely and treat you like everyone else. Maybe you'll get the occasional question or complement. Sure there's an asshole occasionally but this is humanity...you'd get that if you wore the wrong colour of pants from these people so they don't count. That's when you see that you're fine, and that most of the nervousness and anxiety is really just you, you relax more with more positive experiences...and before you know it you're walking around cozy in your own world barely even aware you stand out at all!! Freeeee-dom!! <lol>