Within even the most diverse spaces on the internet, unconventional subcultures still face scrutiny. Among these, the furry fandom often lingers on the fringes, attracting a mix of curiosity, humour, and too often, misunderstanding. But what is this community really about?
To find out, The Mancunion spoke with the committee members of UoM’s very own furry society, Fursoc, to get an insight into a world where camaraderie, creativity, and a shared passion for imaginative expression take centre stage.
Though Fursoc is a relatively new society, it has amassed a dedicated group of 68 members on Discord. This growth speaks to the appeal of the community, a space where people can engage in creative pursuits and connect with like-minded individuals despite their often misconstrued reputation.
What exactly is a furry?
The question of what it means to be a furry isn’t as straightforward as it might seem.
“A furry is someone with a special interest in anthropomorphic animals,” explains Dominik, Fursoc’s Chair. “It’s a broad term,” he adds, with some members creating and even dressing up as characters known as “fursonas” – anthropomorphic animals who walk on two legs, talk, or have human-like characteristics.
For many, creating a fursona is an empowering form of self-expression.
Dominik said: “It’s about creating a little guy to put a piece of myself into. It’s a way to reflect and express something unique.”
Others like Herbie, Fursoc’s Inclusions Officer, describe the process of creating these characters as a creative outlet that provides a safe space to explore identity. However, not every furry creates a fursona. Some simply enjoy the art, stories, or other creative works about anthropomorphic animals.
The community, as Herbie notes, often overlaps with other groups, like therians—who identify as non-human animals—and otherkin, who feel a connection to mythical or fantasy beings. Despite these overlapping interests, Dominik stresses that furries are a diverse group, and many members don’t even wear fursuits. “It’s not just about dressing up; it’s about how you use this medium to express yourself.”
How furry culture found them
Like many people drawn to fandoms, the members of Fursoc’s committee found their way into the furry community almost by accident. For Dominik, it started with childhood cartoons and a fascination with books about dragons. “My turning point was the series Wings of Fire,” he recalls, which led him to connect with others who shared his love for anthropomorphic characters.
Herbie also said he found inspiration through the YouTube art scene, where artists would post videos featuring their personas, often anthropomorphic animals. This sparked Herbie’s creativity, inspiring a deeper dive into the fandom by creating art and writing stories about anthropomorphic characters.
For Alex, Fursoc’s treasurer, discovering the furry world was more of a gradual process. “Until I met these guys, I didn’t know what a furry was,” he admitted with a laugh. Once he had joined the committee, he found himself embracing the community and its identity.
Herbie reflected on the playful blend of identities that exists within the fandom: “I’m too furry to be a normie, but too normal to be a full-fledged furry”.
For Dominik, the furry community has been central to his social life. “It helps define how I interact with people,” he said, adding that the community has its own distinct culture that influences his behaviour.
Herbie, while now less involved in the creation side of things, recalls how the community played a bigger role in their life when they were younger, shaping aspects of their identity that still linger today.
For Alex, the furry community has only recently played a more prominent role in expanding his social circle. “I’ve spent a lot of time communicating with the furry community,” he said, mentioning his involvement with Mancfurs, a local group that hosts meet-ups in the city centre.
Navigating misunderstandings and stereotypes
The furry community often faces unfair judgment, much of it stemming from visible or sensationalized aspects that don’t represent the whole.
Dominik highlighted one of the biggest misconceptions: that being a furry is tied to sexual attraction. “There are always a few outliers in any community,” he acknowledged, but emphasised that most furries are simply passionate about creative expression.
Herbie expanded on this, noting that, like LGBTQ+ communities, furries are often subjected to backlash driven by homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of prejudice.
Another common stereotype is the link between being a furry and mental health issues. Alex refutes this claim, stating, “It’s simply not true.” While mental health issues exist in every community, they don’t define the furry fandom.
The committee recalled a real-life example of how these misconceptions play out. They told The Mancunion about an incident where a mental health advertisement was placed over their Fursoc poster in the Schuster building, despite there still being ample space available on the noticeboard. Alex found it both shocking and humorous, noting, “It would have been worse if they just ripped off our poster.”
“We get grief just for being there,” Alex said, stressing the online harassment the group endures, including infiltrators in their Discord servers who have posted obscene comments and pornographic material.
Dominik said: “At least one out of seven people who joined had to be banned for inappropriate behaviour.”
The committee also addressed the damaging association of furries with zoophilia, dismissing it as baseless. Dominik explained that the actions of a small, deviant minority are often sensationalised, though these behaviours are isolated.
“People who dislike furries amplify these incidents, and it’s used to paint the entire community negatively,” he explained. “It’s part of a broader issue where queer people get blamed for things that are unrelated to them.”
Herbie compared the treatment of furries to the ridicule faced by Star Wars fans, or Trekkies, in the 70s. “It’s part of that ‘us vs. them’ mentality,” they say. To cope with such negativity, many furries choose simply to ignore this hate.
Dominik said: “I try to laugh it off or not engage with people who are being mean”. Herbie echoed this sentiment, explaining that they too brush off the negativity.
Despite these challenges, Dominik concluded that the furry fandom is a diverse and vibrant community united by creativity and shared interests, rather than defined by the negative stereotypes that are often used to label it.
A welcoming and inclusive space
A key reason many people are drawn to the furry community is its inclusivity. According to a poll conducted among Fursoc members, roughly 80% of its members identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“There’s something very welcoming about furry culture”, said Herbie, making it ideal for those who don’t fit neatly into mainstream identities. Fursoc works hard to create an inclusive environment, though they acknowledge that their influence is limited beyond their own community.
If you’re curious about how to join the furry world, it’s easier than you might think. “Just come to our society,” Dominik said, inviting anyone interested in learning more. “You don’t need to be a furry to be part of our community—just show up, and we’ll accept you.”
The society connects with Manchester’s broader furry community through MancFurs. Events, often held in the church in Gay Village, are open to everyone, and Fursoc members are in regular attendance.
Furries are also active online, particularly on platforms like FurAffinity, a space for furry art and writing, where fans can express their creativity and connect with others. Whilst the community has often been associated with creative endeavours like art, writing, and gaming, Herbie and Alex pointed out that many furries also work in STEM fields, highlighting the diversity of its members.
Communities often leave impressions based on their most visible or vocal members, creating perspectives that can overlook the diversity within. The furry fandom is an example of this: while certain aspects, like fur suits, may make some feel uneasy, this reaction is often to the costume rather than the person behind it.
At its heart, the furry community is about people who share a love of animals, creativity, and storytelling, building a space where everyone can come together in a unique and welcoming way.
Many furries are simply people who enjoy exploring this shared interest, each bringing their own level of involvement and passion. Whilst some are more engaged, others are casual fans, united by a shared belief that animals are fascinating and worthy of imaginative exploration.
This blend of personalities and interests creates a vibrant, creative community which invites people to connect through art, stories, and friendships.
