LBGT in the furry fandom

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The rainbow flag associated with homosexuality in and out of the fandom.

The furry fandom is assumed to have a larger proportion of non-heterosexual individuals when compared to the general population.[1]

Studies[edit]

A lack of completely reliable survey data exists, though the informal, non-scientific studies that have been done suggest that the stereotype that many furries] are lesbian, homosexual, bisexual or transgender is at least aparently true, though not to the large extent it is often suggested.[1] While some furries have suggested various theories as to why this is so, there has yet to be a definitive answer put forth.

Pressed Fur reported that some furries also subscribe to this view.[2] Although he did not advocate the social construct theory, Dr. Alfred Kinsey stated that "Males do not represent two discrete populations, heterosexual and homosexual... The living world is a continuum in each and every one of its aspects."[3] He postulated a scale of sexual preferences from zero to six, zero being exclusively heterosexual.[3]

Rust survey[edit]

There are multiple estimates of the percentage of gays in the furry fandom. It is often thought within the fandom that the number is high, possibly as high as 90%,[1] but polls have shown differences in estimation.

A poll used in The Sociology of Furry Fandom, a 2002 paper by David J. Rust hosted at The Darken Hollow, showed 25% heterosexual, 19% homosexual, and 48% bisexual out of 360 peopled polled.[1] Rust concluded that "Truth be told, there are many more homosexual members of the fandom than in general society."[1]

IFPL poll[edit]

An unscientific poll (of indeterminable date, but before 2005) on the IFPL used the Kinsey scale to rate the measure of homosexuality in respondents:

12.9% (63/487) 0 Exclusively heterosexual
18.3% (89/487) 1 Predominately heterosexual, incidentally homosexual
18.7% (91/487) 2 Predominately heterosexual, more than incidentally homosexual
14.8% (72/487) 3 Equally heterosexual and homosexual
11.3% (55/487) 4 Predominately homosexual, more than incidentally heterosexual
16.0% (78/487) 5 Predominately homosexual, incidentally heterosexual
8.0% (39/487) 6 Exclusively homosexual

Theories[edit]

One viable theory involves Mark Merlino, a former chair of ConFurence who co-founded the first furry conventions. Crush Yiff Destroy has suggested that Merlino actively recruited alternative lifestylers into the fandom, and that this influences furry demographics to this day.[4]. Some speculate that the negative social stigma attached to the fandom keeps away heterosexual mundanes who would otherwise feel interested.

David Rust has stated that "The social variations for Furries may seem unusual from a generic, American viewpoint. However, from the position of a group of people who are already predisposed to enjoying anthropomorphic animals, other concepts such as homosexuality... seem somewhat mundane and unimportant by comparison."[1]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The Sociology of Furry Fandom. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
  2. ↑ "Sitting On the Third Side of the Fence" by Hannah Kincaid from Pressed Fur
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kinsey's Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale" from the Kinsey Institute.
  4. ↑ "Journey to the Center of Mark Merlino"

External links[edit]

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