How the FURRY FANDOM Became the Media's NEW Favorite Scapegoat

[@WoodlandGloom]

Plus given the high percentage of furries who are minorities, it also gives people a "socially valid" excuse to target them without seeming homphobic/transphobic/ableist/racist/ect

[@bogan3249]

exactly this

[@ducky2379]

I read a very good article about this back in college. It detailed how since being a furry is a hobby and a choice, most social spaces will not censor you for hating furries. But as most furries are lgbtq, it's exactly as you said: it's a "socially valid" veil to cover their bigotry. It was especially apparent when I was playing an online pvp game (so not a very progressive audience lol) and someone kept saying in chat that furries are weird; they were definitely trying to get a reaction. Once they got that reaction, the mask came off and the transphobia came forth. On the plus side though, I've never seen that many people defend furries in a video game before! :3

[@kilerkane]

Man, people can't just dislike something anymore, it has to have some ulterior motive; How do you know they Dislike furries because we are either Gay, Trans, etc? They can just, well, I dunno; Dislike a Fandom? This happened with Brony's and Undertale Fans. . . It's not that deep bro, furries can be just as obnoxious and bigoted as any other demographic.

[@danieltaylor4185]

I love pointing this out because a group like furries kind of shows you if someone's "done the work" to not be bigoted. I'm not saying you have to accept furries or you're some kind of secret bigot. But someone who accepts marginalized groups, but still jumps at the chance to single out furries, strikes me as someone who has biases that they aren't fully aware of. We all have some ideas that we suppress, because we know society won't accept them. But, when we are given a scapegoat like furries, where it's socially acceptable to be biased, a lot of people's suppressed thoughts get expressed openly. Sometimes, in ways that would be totally unacceptable to the groups they're actually about. I feel like, sometimes, people think it's acceptable to be biased towards a group like furries because they choose to dress up in costume, but because other groups are born different, it's "not fair" to make fun of them. But, I feel like that misses the point of being accepting of others.

[@ducky2379]

@@kilerkane Because it's often the truth, but not always. It is that deep because it's very common.

[@aurorakins]

I feel furries have always had an issue with image just because of how broad it is. The fandom isn't tied down to any one piece of media and is more of a nebulous concept. Combined with the fact that people focus on more negative and dramatic cases of bad individuals, you get people who gain a big misconception about a group or a label. Normal everyday individuals in a community are not viral and people don't see that, they just see the negative minority.

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah thats the tough part with a lot of small communities, only the bad actors usually get the visibility.

[@aurorakins]

@@AshCoyote yep and its also twice as hard to deal with because trying to "clean up" the community by making callouts feeds into that. However then people turn around and say, "furries should be calling out these bad people." So were almost damned if we do or damned if we dont lol

[@ducky2379]

@@aurorakins For sure! Furries are either too dramatic or got their heads in the sand so to speak :(

[@tanthis24]

How true the fandom has taken a beating through out the years I’ve only been on the fandom for about 10 years and I’ve heard the stories of the negative and the people that brought down the fandom with negativity. I mean the greater part of the fandom is just doing it for the creative fun

[@apollogarvan9446]

@@aurorakins it also didn't help that certain tv shows that decided to add furries as an episode focus.

[@Nikkidafox]

Because furries are a great way to hate on people that are "weird and different" without seeming openly bigoted.

[@AshCoyote]

Way too true

[@SpeedySpidey2025]

​@@AshCoyote Base

[@ThePanguinator]

I applied to my Digital Art College course with an expressed Furry theme and I got taken with open arms! Be careful, but don't be embarrassed to show your truth where you can!

[@AshCoyote]

Thats amazing!

[@Moffman_The_Freaky_Furbug]

W pfp, I myself am asexual and bi.

[@Moffman_The_Freaky_Furbug]

Not saying we're the same because yes I saw that your pfp is aroace but still, W pfp.

[@synxxco]

my brother was one of those anti-fur people who supported the claim that furries should be allowed to be shot by hunters "since they want to be animals". Fortunately, when I came out to him as a furry, I was able to show him that furries aren't what the media say they are. They just have some interests that can be considered "weird". They aren't bad people, they just want to have fun with a hobby that doesn't harm anyone. My brother doesn't hate furries anymore and no longer says bad stuff about them :)

[@AshCoyote]

I am glad you were able to change his mind

[@Longinus_CalamityMod]

Bro got the redemption arc path

[@dylanattix2765]

@synxxco I think, in general, bigots who got that way because they read or watched something and don't know anyone in that group personally (thus putting them in the Original Position) tend to change their views once someone they know comes out. Not always, of course, but facing that test changes you.

[@shutterwolf]

Thank you for covering this topic. Great production work. I recall in October 2014 when MSNBC's Mika and Joe Scarborough were laughing so hard that Mika had to leave the set over a story involving furries. That story: the Midwest Fur Fest (MFF) chlorine gas attack that sent people to the hospital.

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah that one was super upsetting and will be featured in a future video

[@lykanprince7]

Gods, I remember that. If you're not rich, white, "christian" (whatever the fuck that means anymore) then you're a joke or a target.

[@sociallyresponsiblexenomor7608]

Yeah I remember that. That was going to be the first time I went to MFF but stuff came up, but I had friends that were there when that happened.

[@spark7233]

OMG the suit is absolutely beautiful!!!!!! The little heart in the eye and colors, the hair. The fluff!!!!!!!! Omg the maker deserves everything they are worth

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you so much!! Pawie Paws made the suit for me

[@bipedalcynodont962]

@@AshCoyote Even though it's only in the thumbnail, it's probably the most beautiful fursuit I've ever seen!!!

[@FrozEnbyWolf150-b9t]

Given how much they cost, "Fursuits for everyone," would be the equivalent value of a Universal Basic Income, which I fully support.

[@AshCoyote]

OMG right?

[@AlexQuinn-f2r]

Future headline: Furry singlehandedly restarts and restores stability of economy by using fursuits and logistical investment as a long-term lucrative stimulus scheme. Wall Street gives up and starts playing Minecraft.

[@Christ-on-a-crutch]

guy 1: "sir. I'm afraid we can't blame the gays anymore" Guy 2: "damn.. what else we got?" Guy 1: "...black? no. Mexican? No... Oh.. we got furry!" Guy 2: "perfect. Dig up some 13 year old bullshit from the Internet. We're blaming the furries!"

[@AshCoyote]

More or less yes

[@lyzz]

Well trans people and immigrants are also still being blamed sadly

[@Christ-on-a-crutch]

@@lyzz right. I don't know how I forgot about that...

[@SaberSin-mu4kt]

You are not oppressed because people dislike your hobby.

[@Christ-on-a-crutch]

@@SaberSin-mu4kt never said furries were oppressed. I'm simply working with the fact that they to are being blamed by media now on a more public scale then they were a while ago so I could make a half assed joke. I'm sorry for making you think that, and for being any sort of unclear.

[@NewBlueMario1016]

Words could not be any more truer to what you said here. This fandom was where I was able to express who I truly am and found a place where I can be safe and rely on in terms of acceptance and tolerance. The furry fandom deserves so much better, as they have been getting targeted so often lately from political figures who also despise pretty much anything that goes against their beliefs. We need to tackle against misinformation against all marginalized communities. Together we stand, divided we fall.

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah we really need to work together to educate others

[@ThundercatDarklion]

This is so true also we need to help each other in the furry fandom. :) =^.^=

[@tttt5955]

You guys are a fandom literally known for traumatizing children

[@arvurebantra7639]

I do remember one thing when it comes to the old days of when those magazine articles first came around. The furry fandom at the time decided that instead of attempting to talk to the media and be more forward, many would just ban the media, and even push out anyone that attempted to talk to the media. This caused a problem where the bad ones in the fandom were the ones who would go to talk to the media, and end up on day time talk shows about fetishes. Some of the misunderstanding and issues we're having today comes from our previous unwillingness to talk to anyone outside the fandom about it.

[@carolthearcticfox330]

One Thing I Know About People Is Most People’s Opinions Aren’t Even Their Own. Our Opinions Are Usually Influenced By People Around Us And The Media We Consume.

[@AshCoyote]

They are. Sometimes its difficult to really tell where that influence begins and ends.

[@dizzyorbit]

i'm sorry but i can't read that without using a robot voice for it 😭😭it's the capitals

[@TheMexyWolf]

As a 39 year old Mexican Wolf therian. That whole litter box thing is absurd.

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah it really is one of the strangest narratives I have seen them push

[@SpeedySpidey2025]

​@AshCoyote unfortunately when you did a video off of that particular topic. It deadass instantly happened irl in south NJ.

[@fenior]

People just LOVE to hate. Even when the hate is unnecessary.

[@AshCoyote]

That's why we got to keep educating

[@arvurebantra7639]

The weird thing about this whole thing is that the haters claim it's "to protect kids". Meanwhile, during that whole protest thing, the middle school kids somehow knew that tail buttplugs are a thing. Someone who wasn't a furry, some adult, told them about butt plugs, and told those kids that anyone wearing a tail had a buttplug. They're so hateful that they don't even notice they're doing the exact things they claim furries are doing and corrupting kids.

[@millertime97jm]

ESPECIALLY when the hate is unnecessary.

[@laurenalexander4438]

Attacks on the furry community isn't exactly new. Remember early 2000's news coverage and that CSI episode?

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah its been happening for a long long time

[@laurenalexander4438]

@@AshCoyote I literally came out as a furry the same time I came out as bi in 08 (before eventually realizing I'm a trans lesbian). That's how bad the media lies were. I had to explain to my mom that it wasn't a sex thing, and wasn't bestiality. It was embarrassing.

[@nghstudios65]

@@laurenalexander4438 Wait, what exactly happened in that one CSI episode?

[@LugreliaCreates]

It's real simple. People are sheep. They believe what they're told and never do any research for themselves.

[@nghstudios65]

Did anyone else theorize that conservatives and conservative companies like "Turning Point America", "Libs of TikTok", "The Daily Wire", oh, my bad...I meant "D***Wad", etc. had something to do with the attempted defamation of the furry fandom?

[@SupersuMC]

Centrist conservative furry here, it's both sides of the line, frankly. Furries and gamers are equally hated by both sides of the political spectrum.

[@GooglieHunter]

As a non-furry straight person with no bias for or against the Furry Fandom or any related communities, this sounds so fucked up. I don't get how people do this and think they're in the right for doing it. I don't think people should have the right to tell others who they are or how they should be.

[@AshCoyote]

Its super frustrating when they can just say whatever and have people actually believe them.

[@joshuabrown3361]

Stand by your pack people. Whether they're a fur, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or any other marginalized part of society, community is important not only in helping keep each other's mental health up, but also in fighting disinformation. Beautiful work Ash!

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you so much!

[@JackPrin]

Me and my trans brother (F->M) used to not get along very well but one day I told them I was a furry just for them to turn their screen around and they were drawing furries. It was the biggest turning point In our relatability and we have always supported each other ever since. I was there trying my best to use his pronouns when none of our family would, I used his preferred name when talking with his friends , and most Importantly I was there for him when he was unfairly dismissed of just being In a "phase". Having a place to be yourself and to have people to support you Is very Important and I wish more people were as accepting as most furries.

[@Forysan]

Ironically, it was the infamous mid-2000's MTV hit piece that got me into furry fandom to begin with. I felt like there was something totally being left out of the program, so I did my own research. I am so glad I did, because the amount of creativity I have seen out of this community is on par with other fandoms I've been a member of for decades.

[@ducky2379]

I first found the furry fandom a few months after I found out I was bi. My family is open-minded, so I didn't have any worry about them shunning me. But I didn't know anyone else in my family who was lgbtq. I had so many churning thoughts of not being "bi enough" or worrying that it was just a phase. Or if I like women TOO much and I'm actually lesbian. Then I saw a link to the furry subreddit. I wanted to see how cringe furries were, but I actually loved what I found and wondered how I hadn't joined before in the two decades I had been alive lol. It was an anchor in an emotional storm of figuring out who I am and what I really like rather than what I should be liking. It was a rainbow refuge of lgbtq folks like me. I've since started therapy and found out that I have ADHD. I've found confidence in being bisexual, neurodivergent, and best of all... weird! Being a furry continues to make me feel whole and connected to myself. I uwu talk unironically, I call my hands "paws," I make fox noises! And I'm so much happier than when I forced myself to be normal. I feel so much more like a person, like ME, rather than some npc. No matter how much hate I get, I wouldn't trade that for the world.

[@benjaminmaher8896]

Being a furry for 14 years definitely made me ask questions if I was in a good place or not due to the volatile reputation of the fandom and kinda decided to avoid other furs altogether for the first 5 years and then the chlorine attack happened and I realised that whatever bad stuff was happening in the fandom did not warrant an attack like that and so I decided to be slightly more social.

[@AshCoyote]

There are a lot of amazing genuine people in the community if you take the time to explore it more. It just takes time to find some of them!

[@benjaminmaher8896]

@@AshCoyote im rather isolated from most furries so this opportunity is rare to none

[@benjaminmaher8896]

I appreciate the positivity, I wish you only the best ✌️

[@C.CurrySims]

I have had to correct two people about the litter box. As a straight cisgender Christian furry man, I have had to send a link to the Scopes article to the pastor a couple of months ago, and correct a coworker a couple of nights ago. A couple of nights ago the topic of Loona came up, and a coworker thought I was into animals. I explained where she came from, and recommended he watch it. Then he asked if I was into Beastars. I truthfully explained that I only saw the R34 of it to this point. Then I had to explain what R34 is. After my coworkers wanted to know what my taste in women was and I told the truth as Goth and Emo, except I miss pronounce Emo as Emu, I just came out in essence as furry. Wouldn't you know it I had to explain how the litter box was false.

[@SupersuMC]

Step one: Don't trust the mainstream media. Step two: ??? Step three: Be at peace and profit.

[@Lutan_the_fey]

Forsooth. Pushing back against those things is very important. Since the hate eventually originates from fear, I would recommend being gentle with it, whenever possible. Confronting someone aggressively who is afraid just fuels the fear and with that, the hate. But your examples on what to do are well thought through and everyone can do them. You have my respect. And supporting each other might be even more crucial. It is the kind thing to do and just one of the big things that defines furries, but also the more we can keep a clear head and stay calm, the better we will be able to deal with this.

[@SupersuMC]

Rule #1 of expressing your views: _Never_ be aggressive.

[@phrogg--6]

becareful, some mf called "sunnymitten" (an anti furry) will probably make a community post sharing this using his totally not biased thoughts on the furry fandom to "debunk" this. he's currently striked but he will come back soon

[@SiverFangBlackWing]

What else is new?

[@phrogg--6]

@SiverFangBlackWing wdym

[@SiverFangBlackWing]

@@phrogg--6 That this one person is just another on the pile, and bringing it up isn’t going to going to stop them.

[@phrogg--6]

@SiverFangBlackWing who knows what may happen

[@SiverFangBlackWing]

@@phrogg--6 I'd bet money that one of two things happen. This person doesn't say anything and nothing happens; or they complain to their followers who are all haters as well, it barely gets outside their little bubble, and then nothing happens. How am I so sure? We wouldn't even know the name if you hadn't told us about them because they are that insignificant. There are too many much more significant sources of furry hate to worry about some random schmuck online.

[@startracker5386]

Majority of the furries mean no harm but at the end of the day we'll never win BUT we'll also never lose. The furry fandom will continue to grow as the haters will also continue to grow, Here's some advice I would recommend not to hide the fact you're a furry. I been a furry for 4 years and I tell people I'm a furry, I go to conventions and etc, the reason why I do because if someone finds it weird or it bothers them then you can avoid those particular people and only have those who feel comfortable or don't mind with your hobby be in your life. (Also loved the video♥️)

[@ducky2379]

Exactly! Make the close minded ones feel weird for thinking being a furry is such a big deal. We need to make it clear that hate and refusal to learn is unwelcome.

[@FANOFPORTAL2]

@@startracker5386 watch all the people hating(including the news people) turn into furries😂

[@anomalousanimates]

the problem is that the majority do, not all, only the majority, and once there's a bad person, it'll fuel peoples' biases even more

[@kairussell2156]

"The more they know, the more they want to understand or misunderstand." That's like what I was talking about with my mom earlier. I'm not a furry, so far as I know, but I am trans and, thus, feel I can empathize with people who just want to express themselves and live their lives being made into scapegoats. Lately, both our communities have been getting a lot of negative attention. What I'm hoping is that, after the ruckus dies down and people live with newfound awareness in a world where we exist, they will come to find that we aren't as different as they might think. I hope that, if at this point in history, we are to be scapegoats, it's only a matter of time before they accept us and wider ranges of being. I for one, want to learn more, and how to be a better ally! Having watched a few others of your videos, I've decided to subscribe! I'm not sure how I would be categorized, but I feel like I relate to squirrels, cats, and crows; I occasionally wish I could alternate between bipedalism and quadrapedalism or that I had expressive ears and/or a bushy tail; and two of my ideal costumes I would like to someday make are for my animal-like personas (an antlered squirrel/fox and a feathered humanoid with claws).

[@Iceykitsune]

The litter box thing actually has a kernel of truth to it... It was teachers keeping buckets of cat litter in their classroom so their young students have somewhere to pee during active shooter drills and lockdowns.

[@AshCoyote]

Do you have a source on that? I haven't heard this before

[@VestedUTuber]

That's not actually the case. School janitors keep cat litter around as it's good for cleaning spills.

[@ivorythebean]

I've honestly just ignored all the drama with this area. Its misuse of people's freedoms of who they want to be and who they are! Its frustrating that people just don't take time to understand, and just use anything they can to start things. Its sad, and makes me scared to be a furry or trans in the US specifically.

[@AshCoyote]

Its so frustrating to see how far they take these things without simple fact checking. Like its not that hard to really understand if you put in even the slightest bit of effort.

[@KatOwO2235]

I hated how normies judge us furries cause we aren't normal so I'm glad you are spreading the word

[@AshCoyote]

Happy to help

[@carnelianfox5010]

So true! I hope videos like Ash’s help people understand that we’re just as much people as they are

[@KatOwO2235]

@@carnelianfox5010 yeah because saying furries being evil is like saying Comic Con is a military, which it's not, just a costume party with vendors and celebrities, and that's all that we furries are, people who love to dress up as animals

[@carnelianfox5010]

Love what you do, and I am so thankful you’re talking about this. The scapegoating is definitely nothing more than thinly veiled homophobia and transphobia, and it needs to be said.

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah it really is. I am so frustrated by how they keep pushing these ridiculous concepts. Always fun seeing you in stream!

[@carnelianfox5010]

@@AshCoyote aww thank you! Same to you, and it means so much to me that you take the time to interact and keep the community connected. The streams are always a blast!

[@nemuikujira]

People just love to have someone or something to pick on, to make their low selves feel higher. It’s really sad

[@bigglou]

Sounds like the life of a bully/troll.

[@nemuikujira]

@@bigglou Yeah, it is :(

[@bigglou]

@@nemuikujira I'll always remember the message that Toonami gave about bullies. "The best way to get revenge is enjoy life to the fullest."

[@nemuikujira]

@@bigglou That is a very good quote

[@bigglou]

@@nemuikujira Thanks. Helps me get by in this crazy country.

[@RippleE.M.P]

I love your new suit BTW, great video ❤

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you! The new suit is just so perfect😄

[@IntelegentFool]

this is a really informative video and I appreciate it. The content within is valuable. One small criticism is the audio work. I found your voiceover to somehow be too loud, but when I lowered the volume I had trouble understanding the words without captions. I think an EQ to control certain frequencies of the voice would be helpful to the quality overall. I might be sensitive to certain frequencies tho so idk. Keep up the good work

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you so much for the feedback I will try to figure out how to better manage that for clarity.

[@mistycrom]

I wonder if a counterpoint to this, showcasing where media has reported well on furries could work. It definitely happens.

[@AshCoyote]

I actually have been thinking about doing a video just like that!

[@MattStMarie-bm5sq]

That would be a good idea. There might be others out there that would be willing to do a collaberaton on this topic.​@@AshCoyote

[@VeraTheTabbynx]

I don't think they've posted in a while, but look up Aberguine's "furries in the media" series, it's really good and covers both the dreck like CSI and also positive coverage like some news reports where they actually went in with an open mind instead of the usual "laugh at the freaks" attitude reporters often bring to furry spaces

[@pankekeke3544]

Who believes in news nowaday?

[@SupersuMC]

Exactly. CNN is a laughingstock, and I read Fox for the comments.

[@Monado_is_green]

But I do still wonder how we should go about representing the apects of the fandom that many regular people may find, if not objectable, but at least weird and not preferrable. Like, even though sexual stuff isn't the thing that really defines the fandom, it's still widespread and an important part of the culture. For example, I've heard about a few different kink parties in my local community, and I've seen that stuff can get quite wild even at regular parties. ERPing, both in DMs and in VRChat, is a common practice in the online fandom. I guess what I'm trying to say is that even if the media representation we had was realistic, many people would still object to us. So I think this means that the society also needs to make progress on how it views sexuality in general

[@JohnTheCheetoFox]

Love your videos and your films for painting furries in such a good light and helping people to see the fandom for what it is, an awesome place for people to express themselves 🐾🧡

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you so much for your comment, I spend so much time and love on the films. It makes me happy beyond words to hear that they have had a positive impact.

[@z-meister6366]

Love you girlie! Your vidoes are always super informational and interesting, thanks for being you! 💖

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you so much!!

[@Blaze_The_Fire_Wolf]

Yeah the media treats us like “trash” not the good furry trash but the bad trash, the propaganda, the lies etc, I’m glad you address these issues Ash, keep up the good work 💖💙

[@AshCoyote]

They really do, people will always focus on what they can exploit

[@ducky2379]

If you convince people that the groups you hate aren't people, then they'll happily hate them with you.

[@Predaknite]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Things like this are what the world needs more of right now

[@protohorizon5215]

That last tip is actually what got me to look into Furries more (and eventually become one) when I was young. While I never went out of my way to harass someone, I very much just ran with what I heard about these weirdos in costumes. It was only when someone I was chatting with quite a bit told me they're a Furry. And it's like suddenly I had this realization I should have had way sooner. That these are just normal people at the end of the day. I grew a lot from that. Started seeing the world less black and white. And I'm so thankful for all the friends I've made in this fandom and all the support I got. This works, cause it challenges that pre-determined view.

[@chesterthegeroo]

Great video! I do exactly that everywhere I go, as I'm open about being a furry at work. I've had so many great opportunities to share my experience, often educating!

[@AshCoyote]

Educating folks is such a great way of helping people see that we are just like them

[@sillysillystrudel]

Hi!! I'm Strudel, the suiter from the news clip you showed. It was a suprise to see myself in one of your videos, I've been a fan for years and I love your film work! ✨️ If you read the accompanying article ABC4 put out about the situation you'll get to see a lot more of what I said that they couldn't fit into the on-air segment. I also think my next line in the video about continuing to make art, dress up, and being a furry outside of school is important context for my feelings on the matter (I have worked in schools, so I feel equally passionate about furry AND getting kids to focus on learning lol). I couldn't fully tell what your opinion was about me, so I wanted to say my piece. Can't wait to see what you make next!! 🎉

[@DeepSpaceSwine]

A lot of what we see with furries stems from the anxieties of media held since the early twentieth century, where the fan or "fanatic" gave reason to view media as hypnotic and endangering the state. Star Trek fans of course came under fire from folks trying to imagine fans as childlike and behind some sort of generational/temporal markers, and we furries came against the anxieties of the AIDS Crisis and pornographic media threatening the home and nation circa 1970s-1990s. As another commentator suggested, I ultimately think it's best we consider how these outcries at furries really affect the most marginalized, since "furries" is only another sign to represent the social Other within culture. We furries aren't special, but we do have ways and repertoires for helping support those who get racialized in the grander scheme of things.

[@eijkel22]

Awesome you furry very fun nice 👍😃🤩👌

[@oniexderg]

This was so well put!

[@AshCoyote]

I spent a lot of time trying to lay it out so folks could understand.

[@jolttrontitan]

Oh my lawad! I am loving the set up and you be GLOWING ✨✨✨Love ya Ash and love ya videoss Also you’re so great at teaching furry history. You should make a documentary

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you so much!! I have actually made several documentaries here on the channel if you haven't seen them I would recommend checking them out.

[@autismo3201]

"Total world domination" I mean with the amount of Furries in IT positions and other super important areas of expertise we kinda alr run a good chunk of the worlds upkeep XD.

[@yamahamasterfz]

Wonderful job Ash, love it 🥰

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you!! 😊

[@catloverjerrygarcia5086]

A lot of what you talk about here is why I dislike calling Furry a fandom anymore and prefur to call it the Furry Community. Because really we're trying to maintain a community more then a fandom.

[@kinggoldenfursuitter7309]

You're awesome ash,Keep up the great work and You're new suit is very cute and pretty and stay safe 💛💛💛💛

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you! Will do!

[@kinggoldenfursuitter7309]

@@AshCoyote You're welcome!That's good

[@davidssins6067]

This new suit is absolutely gorgeous ❤❤❤❤

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you! 😊

[@glamrockfoxy6667]

Your the best

[@IorekByrnison086]

Amazing video. Now I know how we have became a scapegoat. Great tips at the end. Thanks. Keep up the awesome job.

[@AshCoyote]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@IorekByrnison086]

@@AshCoyote Yes I did. Learned alot on how this came to be

[@Gabolia]

I love furries to the moon and way back plus three times❤!

[@felinefireaudio]

Thank you so much for this, Ash! My coworkers know I'm a furry, but I don't think all of them understand. I'm going to share this video in work next week.

[@AshCoyote]

Please do! I hope it helps folks better understand our community

[@freyafoxwolf]

I've been facing it a lot more. Especially when suiting

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah they really set off a firestorm

[@freyafoxwolf]

@@AshCoyote I'm really happy that you're collecting your words together and putting valid facts. Moreover you're not blaming or discriminating anything or anybody. People are all accountable for how they act inside or out. Thank you so much for putting this together

[@RiftWalker111]

thank you for bringing awareness to this

[@e7yu]

Hi, Ash Thank you for covering this topic. 👍😸

[@AshCoyote]

My pleasure!

[@e7yu]

@@AshCoyote 😸👍

[@orion8262]

Thank you for making this, but sad that most people don’t get it but indeed furrys for world domination…. Though as a cartoonist I found these feline floofs always a littlebit suspicious 🤨 personally stay at the canine camp 😉 But you made my day again Ash!

[@Toastymarshmallow80]

I joined the furry fandom because of the art community, I love the arts and drawing. I also loved anthro characters since I was I was a kid.

[@Scrawnte2]

This video is straight fax, love it

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you!

[@GreatValueDianaVreeland]

The Nebo coverage brought me flaskbacks. Also god damn that suit is gorgeous!!!

[@soatok]

4:45 I was reminded of FirAffinity, the parody of FurAffinity.

[@AshCoyote]

OMG I FORGOT ABOUT THAT

[@KingTiger1]

I didn't heard of that before.

[@furo151]

I love The furryfandom I love all Furries I'm really happy to be in this community I'm really glad that I was able to be a furry And I'm a young furry I'm 11 And thankfully my grandma knows that I'm a furry I thought she wouldn't accept me A furry but she did And And I know this is nothing About the video I haven't even watched the full video yet but I really want to make a comment. so I love this channel I love everybody Whoever is Reading this comment have a furry nice day And say safe out there out there.!❤❤❤😊

[@AshCoyote]

I am so glad that you have the support around you to be yourself. Treasure that!

[@epicboyo4883]

Honestly a lot of furries are rlly cool. Yeah there are the actual weirdos but there's weirdo's in every fandom. Sometimes ppl just wanna play as their fictional character and that's ok. I've met some fursuiters irl and they we're actually really sweet! At the end of the day, it's just a fun hobby and not like these ppl claim they're a dragon or something

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah its more about just having fun and being your quirky self than anything else

[@epicboyo4883]

@@AshCoyote mhm

[@Tyler_Zer0]

I just wanted to say that your take is really good, and that is the best blursed pfp I've ever seen.

[@VestedUTuber]

I've always wondered if there's at least some direct malice against the furry fandom by the media _because_ we're not reliant on them for entertainment, like they see us as competition.

[@AshCoyote]

I feel like there might be....

[@TheShockedboy]

As someone art of the kink/BDSM world, I have fully accepted to most of society I'm a freak. We are judged by behavior that falls outside the social norms, and seen for the most extreme examples of our communities. Because a large aspect of the furry community is based around sexualization, it will always have a skewed view from society. I does not make being a furry wrong, though you have to understand it won't ever be seen as "normal" no matter how you explain it to others.

[@zelhin6744]

Same here. Furries won't and, frankly, shouldn't be considered normal, however people should learn that it's sometimes good to just leave things alone and don't judge/misrepresent. It's a hobby first and foremost

[@HamChunks2015]

Hi I really like your videos so much and I'm so glad that you're free I'm sad that everybody at school makes fun of me but I don't make fun of friends I love them thanks so much for uploading😊❤😊❤😊❤😊

[@AshCoyote]

I am sorry that you deal with that at school, I went through similar stuff because of how effeminate I was in high school. Just keep being you and be proud.

[@HamChunks2015]

Thank you so much know you're always a warm-hearted person and you always care about people thank you so much you make me feel better🥲🥲

[@theharlequin3088]

I used to laugh at racism cause I found it ridiculous and stupid. Then I had a fashie go off on a three hour rant at me about how their racist jokes were 100% real and factual, and I realized the idiot was serious. Which made me laugh harder having a J Jonah Jameson moment of "You're serious!?"... but yeah, that's what it's like, when you hear stories of litterboxes in schools it's laughably ridiculous but then you realize there are people who genuinely believe the bigotry.

[@thepleemp2316]

Dawg you need to stop putting these premieres up so early i wanna watch the videos now 😭😭😭 (joke, ofc, keep doing wat ur doing))

[@AshCoyote]

soooooooooooooooooooooooon

[@glamrockfoxy6667]

Your amazing

[@mysryuza]

Wait, “New?!” **Equations floating around my mind as I think**

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah I mean they have been at it for quite a while

[@gamepopper101]

When I was writing my book on the history of the UK furry fandom, I found that recent depictions of the furry fandom in the media are fur better than they were back in the late-1990s and early 2000s. It wasn't perfect, most of the recent ones were pushing the stereotype that all furries own/wear fursuits and felt they had to assure their audience that the fandom wasn't a f*tish. However as an example, when you compare a docu-series about weird things from around the world, the 90s version (Eurotrash) was all about sex and mixing sex and animal puns. Meanwhile the modern kind (World of Weird) was about freedom of expression and having fun, with a unique angle of how former/current furries in the military use the fandom as a way to step away from the tough military persona. Disappointingly, it was only a few months after my book was off to be printed that the UK Conservative Government and Right-Wing media outlets tried to push the "furry panic" narrative. Luckily it has died down a bit here in the UK, I was given an opportunity to go on TalkTV (one of the right-wing news networks) but the shady way the producer approached me put me off. I don't know if they tried approaching any other furry but I did post a warning to the UK furry network.

[@Ladybugzzz_.]

You kinda remind me of Charmaine Diyoza from the 100 (this is a compliment btw)

[@AshCoyote]

OMG THEY LOOK SO COOL

[@Ladybugzzz_.]

@@AshCoyote They are!! Her character development is awesome

[@someoneawesome8717]

The saddest part of the whole litterbox debacle was that it actually had nothing to do with furries, it was put in there in case the students needed to use the bathroom while staying hidden during an emergency

[@lazyfox75]

TNX

[@AshCoyote]

I am so glad you enjoyed it

[@Jiv_the_protogen]

In my opinion the news is they need a change because all they do is shit stiring and have even made my friends get the wrong idea about furries (cough cough my friends thinking the litter box lie is true)

[@AshCoyote]

OMG REALLY? Its so obviously fake though

[@Jiv_the_protogen]

@@AshCoyote the news cant just be all a lie like theres many covers that are true from the news its just topics they understand or things that will gain attention aka furries they make up stuff about it because they dont understand or accept it

[@Eleora1997Msia]

Or we want as a furry fandom subculture is just for fun in playful way as a child-like in us , just for stress relief. Sadly some furries out there is doing it the wrong way till they turned into animal and poop like animal in the dog park... I mean is a personal responsibility to play the characters, not turned into a foolished human with the character, yes you can do animation and cartoon of dumb cartoon to laugh out loud, but we can't act the dumb way on public. That's how it becomes a bad rap and bad name , now scapegoat

[@jcrebel18]

2:13 even if it was cringe, I honestly still laughed at it.

[@UnboxingAlyss]

I appreciate this video and I agree wholeheartedly. The segments about litterboxes were laughable, until they weren't. There were too many gullible people that don't do research and just believe what they are told. My loctician was one of them. She is well-aware that I'm a part of this fandom (amongst others) and I have to educate her on the subject. There are also too many politicians that LOVE to use that ignorance, gullibility, and fear to rile up their base and further push their agenda. Some, like my loctician, were just misinformed. For others, however, they eat this shit up because as you said, it allows them to be bigoted towards groups they already hate. If it were a one-off, it could be brushed aside. When laws and policies are being made over this bullshit, then we need to pay attention. While we all strive to have fun in this fandom, real life doesn't go away. just because you put on a suit, or attend a convention. Real lives are at stake and we need to discuss it as a community. This goes for ALL oppressed groups. This fandom has TREMENDOUS support for the LGBTQ+ and that's a beautiful thing to see! So many are drawn to it because they see inclusion, support, and comradery within this fandom. That is something this fandom does right. I do wish, however, that this fandom was just as supportive of OTHER marginalized groups, as it is with the LGBTQ+. As a black female furry, I've found quite a few BIPOC furs that are very disheartened with the way this fandom handles race. It's especially difficult for BIPOC LGBTQ+ furs, who feel one aspect of themselves are supported, while the other is dismissed as less-than. This fandom had a LOT of good qualities, but we still have work to do. I can't agree more with your final point. Don't treat this as some taboo thing because it isn't. Too many younger/newer furs are afraid of "coming out" as a furry to family and friends. There is no need for that. They wouldn't "come out" as a gamer, Trekkie, DnD player, or a skateboarder, would they? I NEVER hide my hobbies. Anyone around me know I'm a furry, brony, gamer, anime fan, DnD player, plushie maker, and KZbinr. Education is a HUGE aspect of combating this, but we also need to change how we frame our own hobbies. Unless you KNOW FOR A FACT that your family will actively hurt/disown you for this, don't worry. If you are a legal adult, stop giving a shit about what others think.

[@bizarreentertainment7308]

is the audio off to the right side of any ones head phones? or is it just mine>?

[@AshCoyote]

Oh weird I need to look into that

[@MattStMarie-bm5sq]

Most likely just yours, check your connections and check your head phones and see if it happens with other audio. It may an internal problem with the head phones.

[@LauraBow]

Wasnt the litter box rumor from schools keeping an emergency bathroom bucket incase students were trapped in a school shooting? That's depressing and shows where the priorities of grown adults were.

[@ThundercatDarklion]

I've seen the way the different fandoms are treated by the media. The term Toxic Fandom was coined by companies that produce and make stuff for masses. They started attacking the very fans that buy the stuff they produce and even went after the fans who make fan fiction and fan art. They even went after the fans who wanted their ideas on what they are fans of. So it's not just the furry fandom under attack. I myself is an furry but I also have other likes and hobbies so I've seen the news stories and KZbin videos of those other likes and hobbies. I am an 1980s kid and and 1990s Teen so it now puts me at the age of 44 as of July 28th of this year. There was an big christian smear in the 1980s against Dungeons & Dragons due to their claims of devil and demon worship and it made the news. All it was was Nerds and Geeks roleplaying fantasy in the form of an RPG. It seems like Nerd and Geek culture is always under attack. I am an gay male myself and support all of the LGBTQ. At least the Lucifer TV series had an positive episode on the furry fandom that spun it in the positive light after the CSI crap. =^.^=

[@DejitaruJin]

Someone off-handedly invited me to "dress up like a dog" for their Halloween function and OH BOY THAT SOUNDS LIKE PERMISSION

[@anominon]

This got more serious than I expected...

[@brushnut1909]

That fur Rex Masters changed my views on furries

[@starwarsfan5492]

as a Christian will say that yall aint really that bad, i mean ive been one myself (no longer am one i grew out of it), it's mainly the art and behavior SOME of yall, and you know what im talk about about ( *cough* e621 *cough*), yes i do believe the harassment towards yalls guys has gone too far, sometimes yall need reality check, is all, but in the sense of bullying more of like life happens and you just gotta role with punches. One thing i do stress about is having it in schools, look, cosplay and stuff like that, keep it at home, because it genually is disturbing to your normal student and makes us uncomfortable, if we can respect each others values we can learn to co-exist with little no issues. as for art....it's cool when it's NOT SEXUALLIZED good god some of yall need to take a shower, some of my furry friends in the past told what theyd do to their furry plushies and good god i wish i never had ears. other than that, yall cool i love yall goobers, but please, respect the fact that some of this stuff is disturbing to some people and if they are respectful about it, then please dile it down just a little. No hate just tryna keep it real 🤙chow

[@kitsune3736]

Ash, I just wonder one thing, does the furry community involve the therian community, which is growing. I am not a therian nor do I identify as a therian, I’m just wondering

[@billycalifornia1112]

All these Violent Political Threats towards us and our Community are the very reason why I developed my Fearsome Reputation so when the day comes that I do openly admit to my Bisexuality people will think twice before fucking with me or hurting anyone else.

[@thanook]

kage was right, black eyes see no good intentions!

[@glamrockfoxy6667]

Your amazing

[@AshCoyote]

awwww thank you

[@chrismiralles1054]

It's really annoying that the positive work of the furry fandom just pushes down the drain by scrupulus acts by the new media who don't bother to research what the fandom is and often twist a meme or nonsense furry joke into a big deal. Which puts the furry fandom in a negative situation or creates unwanted drama. I think the furry fandom must work even harder to maintain the positive aspect of the fandom so no negative situation can affect again ever at the same time furries be careful about posting their memes or jokes cause they are non-furries who don't understand it.

[@SirberusKhaos]

The example of how much people need someone to look down on for me is always th LoveAction RolePlayers, in full costume snorting and saying "Well, at least i'm not a Furry" I mean, obviosuly they felt discriminated aginst by "normsl" people and so needed someone more weird than them to feel better about themselves, but still.... come on guys, "we're both here hangin' on the same old chains'"

[@swetuski]

Yeah World domination is more on the Ace side of things, but Ace’s are more focused on taking over Denmark right now. But honestly…this feels kinda…i don’t know, it’s like watching those old cartoons where you see the spinning newspaper headline saying some random thing that thats suppose to be big news! When in reality it’s just…something not even note worthy. Media forgets that Furries are no different than the usual cosplayer at Comic-Con, we’re quirky yeah but so are half of the world. In all honesty..media is just trying to stir the pot an all its gonna get is backsplash. While we furries are gonna sit back, relax and enjoy a big bowl of soup

[@spocidz932]

really trying to pay attention to anything other than the 2nd monitor

[@AshCoyote]

Yeah that is a little distracting isn't it

[@spocidz932]

@@AshCoyote very cool though

[@DumbBassfish]

I feel Like furries are completely fine Infact I plan to go to some Fur-cons because I think Furries are cool. Unless they are zoophiles and child predators. and also most anti-furries are just gen alpha who see alot of media talking about the negative side of the furry fandom. FURRIES ARE COOL AND I WILL GIVE YOU $100,000 DOLORS IF YOU SOMEHOW CHANGE MY MIND/j

[@BlueMoonFoxi]

Theres one group of criminals. All of these criminals happen to be people Are all people criminals? No. Don’t generalize based off of a small portion of an entire community

[@kaiakiuti]

Very fluffy video! Bwah 🦊

[@AshCoyote]

Thank you! 😃