AFTER DARK
Em-paw-erment Despite negative stigma and assumptions continuing to be made about its members, the furry community stands strong and proud. It is a source of passion, happiness and safety for many, and a few adverse opinions will not deter this group from engaging with that which they love. Mudd shares that one of the biggest appeals of creating fursonsas and donning fursuits is the anonymity that comes with it. “A lot of people in the fandom are shy. It’s hard for them to portray themselves as themselves, you know? So this gives them an open space to do so.” By adopting these secondary identities, individuals are able to step out into new spaces online or in person with heightened comfort and confidence. “Everyone should be able to like what they want, and there is no reason to judge people for their likes,” Lux says. “No person will make me give up my happiness because it is weird.”