# Is the "Furry" fetish a product of Disney animal cartoons? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2009, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211 "2009-07-25T10:32:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/21 "2009-07-29T01:05:24Z")
I am holding off on adding more, until the OP can clarify. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/22 "2009-07-29T01:26:59Z")
I have no interest in furry fandom or the furry fetish, but surely the reason some anthropomorphic characters like Disney’s Robin Hood seem attractive is because they’ve been given _human_ characteristics! I don’t think there’s any sort of conditioning going on there, considering the vast majority of people who enjoyed Disney films go on to have normal sex lives that don’t involve anthropomorphism. ETA: Just to clarify, I’m using ‘normal’ here in the sense of ‘average’. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/23 "2009-07-29T01:41:08Z")
Then there’s always [the Monty Python short “documentary”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK92NYwBMts) on the “mouse” problem… ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/24 "2009-07-29T02:53:38Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Is merely finding the Robin Hood Disney character attractive enough requisite for being a furry? Cause then hell, I guess I’m a furry. Much as I admire Brian Bedford as an actor, and this may be because I’m straight, but he does not strike one as a [particularly-attractive man.](http://emsworth.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/brian-bedford-as-lady-bracknell.jpg)😉 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/25 "2009-07-29T03:57:40Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I think there would be a furry fetish with or without Disney. Disney studios helped bring cute furry anthropomorphic animals into constant public view, but so did Warners (as noted above) and also Fleischers sudio – they did plenty of cutesy animals. I recall the documentary [_Crumb,_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crumb_(film)) wherein [Robert Crumb](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Crumb) declared his earliest sexual fixation was with Bugs Bunny . . . ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/26 "2009-07-29T14:37:19Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > I’ll agree with **Meeko** that furry fandom isn’t a sexual fetish But the media largely presents it as such and that, **Dio** , is what **Meeko** was getting at. [As you should know by now](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-480907.html), [there are furries who dress up as animals and have sexual relations while in costume](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-220589.html) but they, as a subset of the larger commuity, definitely do not represent that community as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/27 "2009-07-29T15:14:42Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > But the media largely presents it as such and that, **Dio** , is what **Meeko** was getting at. [As you should know by now](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-480907.html), [there are furries who dress up as animals and have sexual relations while in costume](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-220589.html) but they, as a subset of the larger commuity, definitely do not represent that community as a whole. Well, I wanted the OP to get here, but since we are here either way, I will continue. Fursuiting. Yiff. On their own, two different things. One innocent enough, one that, is an umbrella term of Adult activities if their ever was one. [Yiff is the term for all things NSFW among Furries. Noun and Verb, Meaning close to all uses of the F word, and also creeping over into all uses of the word Porn. In short, a lot of Adult stuff that, frankly, I don’t want to know about.] **Yiffing in Fursuits.** [Here is the WikiFur Entry on Fursuits](http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Fursuit) A sub section of that article: [Sexuality and Fursuits](http://furry.wikia.com/wiki/Fursuit#Sexuality) * * * A small portion of the furry fandom considers a fursuit a sexual item. A fraction of the fursuits sold are made for sexual activity. * * * I don’t have the cite currently, but, IIRC the number of Furs who own Fursuits is at / around 10% of the community. Not all of these Furs use their Fursuits for Yiff. \*\*Very Liberal estimate, then, that 10% of Furs Yiff in Fursuits. \*\* I stated that the OP was getting two things mixed up. I wanted clarification on if he thought every Fur was as kinky as he seemed to be assuming. The reality is this: Yes, we all like Anthropomorphic animals. Yes, a very Limited number of us actually dress up as our Fursona. Yes, a very limited number of that number do things in fursuits that could not be done in public. Those that do Yiff in Fursuits probably have consent. I am willing to bet that there is more rape among those outside of the Furry community than those in it. \*\* I am willing to bet further, that Furs are more ““Human”” towards each other, than Humans are towards each other. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/28 "2009-07-29T19:11:40Z")
> [@Meeko](#): > > I stated that the OP was getting two things mixed up. I wanted clarification on if he thought every Fur was as kinky as he seemed to be assuming. Apparently **Dio** still does. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/29 "2009-07-29T19:30:30Z")
I didn’t say they were all “kinky,” I said they look like _losers_. I mean, “fursona?” Give me a break. I’m supposed to take that seriously? My point was that the reason people make fun of furries isn’t because of some negative image perpetuated by the media, but because of direct observations of the websites and the people themselves. And it plainly IS a sexual fetish. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but let’s call a spade a spade. Google image “furry,” and it’s nothing but porn. Are those people not furries? I don’t know where anybody get’s “rape” from, but I have no such image of furries. My image is of people jerking off to Petunia Pig JPEGs. I think they’re harmless, but interacting with the world only through cuddly animal alter-egos is not indicative of tremendously successful social integration or emotional maturity. The fact that you’re not interacting with people as your true SELF should be cause for self-reflection. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/30 "2009-07-29T19:55:53Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I didn’t say they were all “kinky,” > [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > the fetishistic element., which, let’s face it, is the defining element of furrydom > [@](#): > > _I said they look like losers. I mean, “fursona?” Give me a break. I’m supposed to take that seriously?_ Not all furries use that term but they should be able to refer to themselves as whatever they want. > [@](#): > > _My point was that the reason people make fun of furries isn’t because of some negative image perpetuated by the media, but because of direct observations of the websites and the people themselves._ Websites and people who are in the minority and get proportionately inverse representation in media. > [@](#): > > _And it plainly IS a sexual fetish. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but let’s call a spade a spade. Google image “furry,” and it’s nothing but porn._ Try visiting websites that host furry images instead of relying on Google. Like these, for example. [http://us.vclart.net/](http://us.vclart.net/) > **[DeviantArt - The Largest Online Art Gallery and Community](https://www.deviantart.com/#catpath=anthro&order=11)** > > DeviantArt is where art and community thrive. Explore over 350 million pieces of art while connecting to fellow artists and art enthusiasts. > [@](#): > > _My image is of people jerking off to Petunia Pig JPEGs._ All furries don’t do that, either; those who do would more likely be looking at adult-oriented fan art rather than the vanilla WB version. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/31 "2009-07-29T20:10:22Z")
Bah! I wanted to link the most popular of all-time, not last 24 hours. > **[DeviantArt - The Largest Online Art Gallery and Community](https://www.deviantart.com/)** > > DeviantArt is where art and community thrive. Explore over 350 million pieces of art while connecting to fellow artists and art enthusiasts. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/32 "2009-07-29T20:10:50Z")
You quoted me from a year ago, not anything I said in THIS thread (which you implicitly referenced by referring to what I “still” believe), so I don’t see what it has to do with this particular thread. As it happens, I still do think it’s essentially a fetish, but I wouldn’t use the word “kinky.” > [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Not all furries use that term but they should be able to refer to themselves as whatever they want. When did I say they shouldn’t? I don’t care what they call themselves, but I reserve the right to laugh at them. > [@](#): > > Websites and people who are in the minority and get proportionately inverse representation in media. I’ve rarely ever seen them represented at all in the media. Almsot all of what I’ve seen is on the internet, and almost everything I’ve seen on the internet is pr0n. > [@](#): > > Try visiting websites that host furry images instead of relying on Google. Like these, for example. > [http://us.vclart.net/](http://us.vclart.net/) > [DeviantArt - The Largest Online Art Gallery and Community](http://www.deviantart.com/#catpath=anthro&order=24) Funny that one of those sites is called “deviant art.” I also notice that the first random galleries I clicked on both those sites were porn, so I don’t see how those sites really help to dispell the impression that it’s a sexual fetish. > [@](#): > > All furries don’t do that, either; those who do would more likely be looking at adult-oriented fan art rather than the vanilla WB version. Do they all invent cuddly “fursonas?” Do people interacting with the outside world as pandas strike you as extremely mature and socially adept? Let me reiterate that I think these people are perfectly harmless and perfectly within their rights, but I reserve the right to snicker at them, the same as I snicker at 40 year old Magic Card players. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/33 "2009-07-29T20:24:54Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Let me reiterate that I think these people are perfectly harmless and perfectly within their rights, but I reserve the right to snicker at them, the same as I snicker at 40 year old Magic Card players. Hey, Magic Core Set 2010 has some great cards in it! Beyond that Lighting Bolt is back! Well, at least I’m not 40. Otherwise your other foot would be in, as well, eh? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/34 "2009-07-29T20:27:06Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You quoted me from a year ago, not anything I said in THIS thread (which you implicitly referenced by referring to what I “still” believe), so I don’t see what it has to do with this particular thread. Did you skip post #26? > [@](#): > > _I don’t care what they call themselves, but I reserve the right to laugh at them._ No disagreement there, but it’s still a minority. > [@](#): > > _I’ve rarely ever seen them represented at all in the media._ And whey they are, it’s focused on the minority. > [@](#): > > _Almsot all of what I’ve seen is on the internet, and almost everything I’ve seen on the internet is pr0n._ That’s because the internet is for porn. Plug just about anything in Google Image Search with Safe Search off and you’ll get porn. It’s about the tags, not a comment on proportions. > [@](#): > > \*Funny that one of those sites is called “deviant art.” > > I also notice that the first random galleries I clicked on both those sites were porn, so I don’t see how those sites really help to dispell the impression that it’s a sexual fetish. \* Try the all-time link I posted later. How many of those images are age-restricted? > [@](#): > > _Do they all invent cuddly “fursonas?”_ Already said they don’t. > [@](#): > > _Do people interacting with the outside world as pandas strike you as extremely mature and socially adept?_ That’s the thing. They typically do not interact with the outside world as pandas or whatever; they interact with each other as pandas or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/35 "2009-07-29T20:42:49Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You quoted me from a year ago, not anything I said in THIS thread (which you implicitly referenced by referring to what I “still” believe), so I don’t see what it has to do with this particular thread. As it happens, I still do think it’s essentially a fetish, but I wouldn’t use the word “kinky.” You would use the word “fetish” but not the word “kinky?” This strikes me as really weird. Isn’t a fetish pretty much kinky by definition? Hell, I’d argue that fetish has the stronger pejorative overtones, as it has a clinical definition that kinky lacks. > [@](#): > > I’ve rarely ever seen them represented at all in the media. Almsot all of what I’ve seen is on the internet, and almost everything I’ve seen on the internet is pr0n. If I do an internet search on “lesbian,” almost every thing that comes up is going to be porn, too. Does that mean that lesbians are really into pornography? > [@](#): > > Funny that one of those sites is called “deviant art.” Deviant Art is neither a furry site, not a porn site. It’s basically a forum for people to upload their visual artwork. They do have NSFW content, although I wouldn’t consider most of it to be pornographic. There’s some really incredible art up there. It’s well worth an hour or two of browsing. > [@](#): > > I also notice that the first random galleries I clicked on both those sites were porn, so I don’t see how those sites really help to dispell the impression that it’s a sexual fetish. Was _every_ gallery porn? Or was there non-porn as well? If there are people producing furry art that’s non-pornographic, that’s probably a fair indicator that there are people who are interested in furry art for non-sexual purposes. > [@](#): > > Do they all invent cuddly “fursonas?” Do people interacting with the outside world as pandas strike you as extremely mature and socially adept? How many furries interact with the outside world in their furry personas? It seems to me to be something mainly adopted to interact with other furries. I don’t consider some occasional role playing to be either socially maladapted, or necessarily immature. > [@](#): > > Let me reiterate that I think these people are perfectly harmless and perfectly within their rights, but I resevr the right to snicker at them, the same as I snicker at 40 year old Magic Card players. This, on the other hand, is extremely immature. I’ve generally found that the urge to laugh at people for being different or unorthodox is a sure sign that someone has not progressed much beyond a schoolyard mentality. ETA: They’re bringing back Lightning Bolt? Sweet! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/36 "2009-07-29T20:43:47Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > They typically do not interact with the outside world as pandas or whatever; they interact with each other as pandas or whatever. To borrow **Silver Tyger Girl** as an example, I don’t recall ever seeing a roar or purr from her. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/37 "2009-07-29T20:47:49Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > ETA: They’re bringing back Lightning Bolt? Sweet! As a Common, no less. They are very clear that there was a narrow window where they could bring it back, so they did. (Then again, there have been a LOT of rules changes, No more Mana Burn among them. Oh, and Counterspell hasn’t been printed in a current set for a few years now.) ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/38 "2009-07-29T20:49:20Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > To borrow **Silver Tyger Girl** as an example, I don’t recall ever seeing a roar or purr from her. As I hinted at, my Username is taken from the Raccoon from Pocahantas. Then again, Im still not real sure what noise raccoons make. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/39 "2009-07-29T20:52:39Z")
No mana burn? Damn, that totally breaks one of my favorite decks! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211/40 "2009-07-29T20:58:40Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > You would use the word “fetish” but not the word “kinky?” This strikes me as really weird. Isn’t a fetish pretty much kinky by definition? Hell, I’d argue that fetish has the stronger pejorative overtones, as it has a clinical definition that kinky lacks. I think otherwise. “Kinky” to me has weirder connotaions, but I guess its subjective. > [@](#): > > If I do an internet search on “lesbian,” almost every thing that comes up is going to be porn, too. Does that mean that lesbians are really into pornography? No, but it means that lesbianism is a _sexual_ oreientation. The sexual aspect is what defines it. It might not be _all_ of it, but it’s essential. > [@](#): > > Deviant Art is neither a furry site, not a porn site. It’s basically a forum for people to upload their visual artwork. They do have NSFW content, although I wouldn’t consider most of it to be pornographic. There’s some really incredible art up there. It’s well worth an hour or two of browsing. The first random images I clicked on were furry porn. > [@](#): > > Was _every_ gallery porn? I don’t know, I didn’t look at more than one page of images. So what if it’s not all porn? If not all pictures of lebians are pornographic, does that mean that lesbianism is not a sexual orientation? > [@](#): > > How many furries interact with the outside world in their furry personas? It seems to me to be something mainly adopted to interact with other furries. I don’t consider some occasional role playing to be either socially maladapted, or necessarily immature. I don’t really see this as a meaningful difference. I still think it’s silly and childish, as I do with all role play. > [@](#): > > This, on the other hand, is extremely immature. I’ve generally found that the urge to laugh at people for being different or unorthodox is a sure sign that someone has not progressed much beyond a schoolyard mentality. They choose their behavior. I’m not tripping cripples. If someone’s going to pretend to be a moose, and give himself a moose name, and talk about his antlers, I’m going to have a hard time not seeing them as ridiculous. Sorry. I’m not going to hurt any of them, or harass them or anything. They’re entitled to do as they please, but they’re not entitled to necessarily be taken seriously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-furry-fetish-a-product-of-disney-animal-cartoons/504211.md?page=3)