--- In SkunkworksAMA_at_yahoogroups.com, walksallroads_at_s... wrote:
>
>
> http://houstonpress.com/issues/2003-12-18/feature.html/1/index.html
>
> For once, someone actually managed to keep to the facts. I'm quite
> impressed. I wish more media people were like this guy.
>
> Iceburgh69
Hmm.. I'm still reading the article... so far, it's had some nice
points and for once they didn't target people who dress up for sexual
kicks, which is a nice touch, on the other hand...
"This afternoon, the furries are in their human form, which is to say
they look like computer geeks on casual Friday." doesnt' sound all
that complimenting either, does it?
And what is with the bit about the kid howling on the moon? If I did
that my dad would drag me down and beat me up!
I mean, sure, I meow a lot in public but I try not to cos it tends to
cause some confusion.
So far on page one, the argument seems to go: Okay, so furries aren't
REALLY sexual deviants, they're just freaky computer geeks who aren't
right in the head.
Okay, the article itself... presents some pretty positive stuff, but
it's presented in such a way that makes the participants and most of
the rest of the fandom seem like, well, morons who can't let go of
their childhood and worship EVERYTHING that is remotely anthro.
I mean, WTF?
Instead of trying to explain that we've got our own fancies just like
everyone else, it seems to peg ppl with certain problems more likely
to be furries (and I have yet to meet a normal, well adjusted person,
furry or not). Every fandom has it's obsessive fans, some of them
deviant. Again, the interviewer tried to find some of the more
'obsessed' fans, just the ones who don't think that care bear plush
could do with a nice S.P.H..
So hmm...
Anyway, I think some of the furs interviewed made some very good
points, some that I could even empathise with.
"As Shockwave says, "When you are pretending to be a seven-foot
dragon, it doesn't matter what your skin color is, what church you go
to, where you live. Those things vanish. So there is a great deal of
attractiveness to anyone who has been marginalized or has never felt
popular or felt like they never belonged anywhere." being my
favourite, althoguh I do have distinct memories of appearing in a
chat room and being bombarded with A/S/L? which i would respond with
a mixture of 99%creativity and 1%honesty.
As for the incident in the mall...(this is for the furs who "have
manipulated the incident to illustrate Houston's intolerance toward
anything different") Sure, the security guards might've been
demanding and course, but they were doing their job! They didn't
understand fursuiting, all they saw were some ppl who were possibly
trying to pick up kids, and were breaking one of the Mall's laws.
Hell, even I understand the "Don't face the audience when removing
your mask" bit because I used to do Drama, but I sure wouldn't put
myself above the law for the sake of my fandom; even Trekkies have to
make sure their modified, spray-painted vehicles or homes are
approved by local safety standards or whatever!
I doubt I'll ever 'come out' to my parents, because I don't see the
point of causing problems over something they'll never understand.
I'll always be me, and frankly, there's a lot about me my parents
don't know. What we choose to tell about ourselves to our friends and
family is up to each person I suppose, but in my case, it's to try
and live decreetly (ie; try to hide all the furry smut I own and draw
from my mom again).
I know my mom's already got a slanted view of the fandom because of
that.
So in otherwords, YAY for a none Sexual Fetish based article, but a
big Eeeeeeeh-right.. for the way some of the 'normal' furs were
portrayed. (I felt some of the language and words used in the article
had a negative tone).
Just as a note, I have no problems with fursuiters, yiffy or
otherwise, to me it's just cosplaying (as for dressing up for sexual
purposes.... well, that's what French Maid outfits, devil outfits,
masks, casino bunny girl outfits, nun habits and school girl
uniforms, which you can find in most sex stores, are for).
So you could say none-furs have nothing to crow against, espc. if
they've ever dressed up as Batman or Zorro for halloween or a costume
party; it's all about having a bit of fun and pretending to be
something or someone else, and occassionally, to make for more
interesting sex).
Well, that's MY oppinion, it's certainly not RIGHT or FINAL, it's
just my long winded say on the matter and some points in the article.
Let's hear what everyone else has to say, if anyone else is saying
anything.:)
~Val (:*
Received on Fri Dec 19 2003 - 01:15:17 CST