From: john@ontek.com (John Alan Stanley)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.furry
Subject: Re: Furries and sexuality (again)
Summary: We're here, we're furry...
Keywords: sex furry sex gay sex
Date: 7 Apr 92 03:55:31 GMT
Organization: Ontek Corporation -- Laguna Hills, California

In article <69702@ut-emx.uucp> hepfox@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Dave Peyton) writes:
}	I think a big part of the reason that some people have come
}to associate furrydom with homo/bi-sexuality is, quite simply, that
}several (many? most?) of the furfen who *are* homo/bi are the ones who
}are making the most noise about sexuality in furrydom.

Perhaps.  Or maybe it is just that _any_ mention of such things is seen
as being a loud statement, because one does not see such things very often
in our society.  From what I have seen, it is the folks who think there is
too much sexuality that seem to be making the most noise.  Or perhaps we
are both indulging our biases too much, hmmm?

}People more
}familiar with the fan scene than I have said that some fans who
}recently came out of the closet are now loud advocates of the various
}gay rights movements.

As is their right.  Do you have a problem with people wanting to live their
lives the way they see fit, and asserting their right to do so?

}But these
}people should realize that they, too, have a responsibility to keep
}their activities confined to "furry" subjects when they associate
}themselves with furrydom.

Ah, here is the crux of the matter.  This statement bothers me.  I suppose
that means we should avoid talking about politics, cars, friends, or
anything else not strictly "furry" when we are in "furry" space as well, eh?
Somehow, that image is not an appealing one, and it seems to give lie to
your assertions of tolerance.  Fact is, furry gatherings are just like any
other social group.  People will discuss what concerns them, and you are
free to join in or ignore them as you will.  There is no way to prevent
this, and no conceivable reason to do so.  The folks who are concerned with
gay issues will discuss them, the folks who like guns will discuss them, etc.
If you don't like the discussion, find someone else to talk to!

}	Does that mean furries can't (or shouldn't) enjoy furry
}erotica?  No.  But by the same token, they don't have to either.

What on earth does that mean?  I suppose I don't have to do anything except
eat and breathe, but that would be an awfully boring existence.  Are you
really saying that you think we should all stop looking at, buying, and
enjoying furry erotica?  I'm sorry, but if that is the case, you are going
to be quite disappointed.  I see absolutely no reason to stop enjoying
furry erotica, and I challenge you to give me one good reason why I should.
And by that, I mean a reason which has relevance to _me_, and not one which
makes you think you don't want to see it.  

}Provided that a healthy dose of "G/PG"-type material continues to
}thrive in furrydom, and furries learn to be discreet about their
}sexual activities -- whatever their preferences -- we can keep
}events like ConFurence from being shut down by crusading Christian
}fundamentalist types, and get on with the business of being furry.

What will thrive is what people want to see.  I run the ConFurence art show,
and I categorically refuse to censor in any way whatsoever the material
people choose to display there.  I myself found several of the things in
the show this year to be rather disturbing or unpleasant.  But, I would not
for a moment consider that grounds for removal from the show.  You seem to
find any sort of display of sexuality to be repugnant.  I am sorry about that,
but you don't see me complaining about the excesses of violence that some
other furries seem to favor.  I happen to dislike that sort of thing, but it
will continue to be welcome in the show.  It would be nice if the folks who
don't like sexual stuff could take the same attitude.  Sure, you don't like
it.  Fine.  So, don't stare at it too long, and don't buy it!  Next?

Ah well, we seem to have strayed from the points Elf!! was trying to discuss.
Instead, we get to debate once again "Why Sex Is Bad, and Don't Touch That!"
I'd be disappointed if it were not so damn predictable...

Bemusedly,
JAS
Xref: sparky alt.fan.furry:1235 rec.games.mud:4763