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Here's a rather curious article in the Hartford Courant, written by Katherine Ogden and dated September 13:
http://www.courant.com/community/portland/hc-portland-library-meeting-20120913,0,571510.story

Apparently furries (fursuiters, in particular) have been visiting public libraries recently, which has prompted Janet Nocek (director of the Portland Library in Portland, Connecticut) to ask the board of directors to review its behavior policy. In particular, to make sure board members and staff were aware of library rules which prohibit visits from people in disguise, or with head coverings other than religious.

Portland Library Board To Discuss Behavior Policy
Possible Visits By 'Furries' Sparks Debate

By KATHERINE OGDEN, Special to the Courant The Hartford Courant

10:57 a.m. EDT, September 13, 2012
PORTLAND –—

People who cover their faces for religious reasons are welcome to enjoy the Portland Library, but folks who might want to visit dressed up as an otter, bear or other furry animal might run afoul of the rules.

So says library Director Janet Nocek, who is asking the board of directors to review its behavior policy in light of recent visits to other libraries by "furries" — people who dress up in costumes and visit public places.

"Face coverings at the library are not permitted except for religious reasons," Nocek said.

Furries, as they are nicknamed, are people who like to don fur suits or other costumes and otherwise remake themselves into an animals that have human characteristics. Devotees enjoy a thriving community both on online and in the real world – annual conventions are now held in Pittsburgh, Pa., after outgrowing the venue in Albany, N.Y.

The trend may be gaining ground after members of Taylor Swift's band dressed up as furry mascots when they performed at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month. Such mascots have also appeared in Swift's videos.

"I had never heard of it," Nocek said. "I looked it up on the Internet."

So far, furries have not visited the Portland library, but Nocek said she decided to make board members and staff aware of library rules after the issue came up elsewhere. She said library policy prohibits visits from people in disguise, or with head coverings other than religious.

Nocek said she wants to head off any potential problems before they arise, such as a person hanging around in the children's room looking cute. A child or family at the library might mistakenly think a person dressed in a costume was part of a library program.

"They might look enticing to children," Nocek said. "I just thought we best discuss it, before anyone gets surprised, to make sure we are on the same page. "

The meeting is tonight at 7 at Portland Library, 20 Freestone Ave.

I saw some of the posts here. And they sound like they're afraid of "coming out" to being furry. Or people wonder what they should do with their tails and collars? Or like it's their life?

Really? I just see it as a hobby.

submitted by VentKazemaru
[link] [55 comments]

I...just need help figuring out what to do. I have just started the 16th year of my life and I have gotten myself into a relationship with a girl. My problem with this is that she wants to have sex and do other things...I am all for doing this with her but at the same time my moral code doesn't let me do this. I just need advice on what I should do to satisfy her needs without breaking my morals (my morals are the standard morals of most religions).

Nicky

* * *

Dear Nicky,

I’m not sure what the “other things” are, so let’s just talk about the sex. Papabear is certain that your 16-year-old body is “all for doing this.” Hormones are dictating your desire to have sex. On the other hand, your sense of morals is holding you back. Many people feel it is not moral to have sex at such an early age and before marriage, and Papabear respects that. Your girlfriend should to.

It is not right for your girlfriend to pressure you to have sex any more than it is for you to pressure her. You need to explain to her that your sense of morals makes you very uncomfortable with the idea of having intercourse right now.  I’m not sure by your letter whether you are in love with this person or just dating. If you are just dating and don’t even know whether you love her, all the more reason not to have sex. If you love her, tell her so, but also say that you would like to wait before you take it to that level.

If she loves you, she will respect that and wait. If she just wants sex, she’ll probably dump you. If that’s the case, you’re better off. Go find a girlfriend who loves you for you and doesn’t see you as just a walking penis.

Hugs,

Papabear

I started talking to my mom about being a furry and she knows about the Darker parts, and she wants me to stay out of those parts. She's only trying to keep me safe so I'll accept your goodbyes and then I'm gonna duck my head outta here. She's threatening to delete my reddit account if I don't leave. (She knows my password, because I left "remember me" on...)

submitted by eagleis25
[link] [13 comments]

Just wondering if anyone on this subreddit is a part of any other online communities?

I've been on a place called FurryMUCK since 1997 (My name on there is Sarnath if anyone knows me). I've frequented Second Life occasionally also.

How about everyone else? :)

submitted by jasonmm1979
[link] [11 comments]

Recently I have decided to get a fursuit and I need a reference sheet so I can get it made accurately. I was wondering if anyone on here could help me out with that? If you can just put a link in the comments to FA, DA, or whatever else your on so I can see your art and message you about the commission. Also I don't mind to pay for the commission but if you do them for free that would be great.

Next question. I am planing to get my fursuit from Made Fur You, and I plan on getting a full fursuit, but I also want a partial suit as well. Is it possible that they could make a separate set of arms and leggings along with the full suit if I ask them?

submitted by Nappa007
[link] [3 comments]

I bought the vinyl album today, and it came with a digital download card which lets you download the album in mp3 and flac.

Since I already bought it online before, I won't be needing it, so I'm giving it away to one lucky metalfur!

Just explain in a comment why you want it, it's that easy!

After 24 hours I will go trough all the comments, select the top 20 best reasons, and the a random lucky fur gets it.

Double posting to increase your chances means no card, commenting on others is allowed.

Good luck!

 

 

Album details:

 

“The Great Mass” is a new symphonic masterpiece that constitutes a quantum leap in the art of amalgamating orchestral music with Heavy Metal. SEPTICFLESH’s new songs are the audible evidence of guitarist Christos Antoniou finishing his studies of classical composition with academic honours and distinction. The Greeks take the next logical step in following the course they highly successfully set on their celebrated comeback-album “Communion” (2008).

“The Great Mass” shows this band at the peak of their evolution over seven full-length releases since SEPTICFLESH’s founding in 1990, in which the band combines massive deadly guitars at the edge of blackness with haunting gothic melodies and cinematic symphonic arrangements. The orchestral parts were recorded with the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague including full choir and boy soprano. Renowned producer Peter Tägtgren (DIMMU BORGIR, IMMORTAL) created the massive sound of “The Great Mass”.

submitted by NoctisIgnem
[link] [4 comments]

Hello!

I work in the mental health industry. I have a client that has become interested in Furry Fandom and is using it in an unhealthy way. They want to stop (I am not forcing them to stop, it is their choice). I'm just looking for some insight into this community.

What do you get out of the community? Maybe some of the "lingo" within the community. Is it mainly a sexual thing? Or is this only a small element? Please don't misconstrue what I'm here for. I'm not judging or saying that this is a mental illness.

I appreciate your help and explaining your hobby/lifestyle to me!! Thanks!!

submitted by jessm
[link] [32 comments]

submitted by StubbornClaws
[link] [4 comments]

An episode from March in the Mountain Bunker that we thought was 90 but is actually 91. Unsheathed #91 - Episode 91--not 90

submitted by crunchbite21
[link] [12 comments]

Admit it: You’re gonna notice a title like that, yes? Dog with  a Blog is a new mid-season replacement sitcom series picked up  by the Disney Channel.  Here’s part of the press release: “In the premiere episode, Bennett [the dad] adopts a shelter dog in the hopes that it will inspire Tyler and Avery [the siblings] to get along and bond over taking care of him. That happens – to some extent – when the kids discover that their seemingly ordinary dog can talk.  From that moment on, Tyler and Avery agree on one thing: Stan’s ability to speak must be kept a secret from everyone, even their parents. As the kids learn to work together to keep Stan’s secret safe, they soon find that his canine point of view, whether in the home, in the yard or in the park, helps them navigate their new sibling situation and, ultimately, becomes the tie that binds the family.” The series comes to Disney Channel on Friday, October 12th. Starting on September 18th, regular posts from the talking and Internet-savvy dog himself will be available at SeeStanBlog.com.

image c. 2012 The Disney Channel

I'm been in the fandom for about 1 month and I would like to say hi. Do you fellow furries have any tips?

submitted by SeriousCylinder
[link] [18 comments]

submitted by HexxingFaux
[link] [11 comments]

So, I have been lurking on FA for about a year now, But was never able to muster up the courage to submit anything. It also didn't help that my parents were dead against furries (that whole argument about bestiality and whatnot). So, now as a college freshman, I have the freedom to express myself! Anyway, Just looking to find some new friends. My FA is here, now I just need to wait for FA to be fully online again.

Just an addition to my post, here is my fursona for those of you who were interested, I am a Demon Wolf. And yeah, my drawing skills are kinda not good.

submitted by mynameisgrein
[link] [15 comments]

submitted by mwishosimba
[link] [12 comments]

submitted by GoingToTheStore
[link] [4 comments]

submitted by Corom
[link] [6 comments]

I got bored yesterday, So I decided to start up a facebook fan page for furries, and stuff. Link in comments when I get all set up. Anybody's welcome to admin. (Btw, sorry about being inactive, been lazy and stuff.)

submitted by ryartran
[link] [comment]

Dear, loving Papabear,

Let me say first that your advice has helped so many others, and I couldn't think of anyone I would trust more right now...

Papabear, I think I'm bisexual. In the sense that, I'm sure I don't just feel love for one sex - even though I know I get aroused by both genders, I don't base my desire for a relationship through sexual arousal. I'm looking for that feeling of love, the inner qualities, and I'm open to all possibilities. So far, in my life, even though I've been open to both genders for about 2 years, I've only found myself falling in love with girls, and I've only had relationships with girls. Lately though, I've started having a little online date with a guy, and I do love him...

But I don't know how much I can trust myself...because I'm only 16. I'm not sure if I'm mature enough to realize that I'm bisexual. When I was 12, I thought I was gay, and I kept that for about a year, until my counselor helped me realize that I was just sexually jealous. I've grown a lot in those years, but I still don't know if it's going to be like this for the rest of my life, or if it's just a phase, and to that effect, I don't know if I'm going to come out or not, and I don't know if I should allow myself to continually be open to both genders.

I don't have much of a problem with coming out, my parents have always been loving, supportive and caring, but they sometimes poke fun at effeminates (which they mistakenly refer to as "gays") when we're at home. And, we're a Christian family. I'm happy that no one in my family has ever used religion against the third gender, but I think it's also because no one in our family is part of the third gender...I might be. And that fact taken in, I'm worried of what conclusions they might jump to if I tell them.

I'm a masculine person, stoic, my friends have described me as "manly" and at face value, no one ever expects me to be the affectionate and open person that I am...so, I'm not even sure if they can believe me if I tell them I'm bisexual. As you might have noticed, I have a strong feeling that I am not straight. But even I can't be sure now...

Papabear, what do I do? Should I wait for myself to grow up to the right age, and should I still continue pursuing these dates with the boy? Should I tell my parents right now that I have some problems with my gender, or should I wait until I'm sure I have something to come out with?

I'm sorry if it's a bit much.

With gratitude and hugs,

Dael

* * *

Hi, Dael,

There are a number of things in your letter that I think you need some assistance with and some clarification. First, let’s clear up some things. 1) There is no such thing as a “third gender.” Biologically, you are male or you are female. Unless you are talking about hermaphrodites, who can have the physical attributes of both, but that is not your case, I’m sure. 2) I have no idea what “sexually jealous” is, but I strongly suspect you went to a counselor of the Christian persuasion who believes that homosexuality is a disease and tried to convince you that you were just going through some kind of jealousy of females in love with males. 3) Not all gay people are effeminate. I certainly am not, and there is a whole community of bears, leather men, etc. who are gay and definitely not effeminate. So, yeah, you can also be effeminate and NOT gay. Good observation on your part.

So, you are 16 and confused about your sexuality (not your gender), which is really very common. Whether you are gay or bi, you clearly have some attraction to males as well as females. In the world of sexuality, things are not always black and white. There is a broad spectrum of sexuality ranging from 100% hetero to 100% homo and everything in between. The majority of people actually are somewhere in between, though people who profess to be straight usually deny it.

At 16 you should not be pushing yourself about sexuality. You really, in this bear’s opinion, are too young for sex and shouldn’t pressure yourself over it. I agree with you, then, that for now you should chill out a bit. Concentrate on school, making friends, discovering your personal abilities and hobbies. In our society, there is far too much emphasis on sex.  Instead of pushing yourself, let it come to you naturally, organically. Instead of worrying about what gender attracts you, allow yourself to be attracted to the PERSON you meet, whether a boy or a girl. Fall in love first, and then let the sexual experience be an enhancement of that love. When that happens, you will be ready to tell your family more about who you are. Remember, sexual preference is just ONE aspect of who you are. You are many other things, too, that make up the entire personality of who Dael is as a person.

Good luck!

Papabear