Furry lifestyler
posing with an admirer during WorldCon 2002. Described as a "subset" or "aspect" of furry fandom, furry lifestyle is generally treated as a grey area among those involved in the fandom because of some negative images associated with it and particular people who claim to be lifestylers. Desire to avoid conflict causes some lifestylers to refuse to use the term, despite clearly matching the conditions for having one. Someone with a furry lifestyle generally meets one or more of these requirements: - Integrating a perceived animal nature into one's persona (gait, use of voice, personality, morality,...)
- Totemistic beliefs, specifically with regard to animal spirits. Often integrated with Paganism.
- Belief that animal powers/instincts exist within humans, regardless of whether they're separate, immaterial spirits, part of the genetic code or anything else.
- Fantasies, sometimes sexual, involving anthropomorphic animals.
A furry lifestyler may also take on physical attributes of an animal, although this is rare. Such attributes may be: hair style (including facial hair), tattoos, articles of clothing (e.g. a tail or ears), or jewelry. Furry lifestylers generally refer to themselves as "furs", although this term is not exclusive to them, and is sometimes used by those who are interested in the furry fandom but do not consider it to be a lifestyle. A notable feature of the furry lifestyle is the very high proportion of its members who are gay or bisexual, especially the latter. Estimates as to the number of gay/bi furs range widely, and serious research into the subject is almost non-existent, but one study based largely on data obtained at furry conventions (Rust, 2002) produced figures of 48% bisexual, 25% heterosexual, 19% homosexual and 9% uncertain. However, it should be noted that Rust did not restrict himself to interviewing furry lifestylers.
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