I hate you too, now...

[Exaspera]

I have a dumb question, what is a furry?

[Aethian]

I have a dumb question, what is a furry?

Furry fandom (also known as furrydom, fur fandom or furdom) refers to the fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_(subculture)

[EvilEmpryss]

Friend lives in Mount Airy... not really sure how accepting that is... but he wasn't born there, either, he's Californian as well...

Ah... Mount Airy... The inspiration for Andy Griffith's Mayberry. It's not too far north of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point. It's also pretty conservative, as they like to hold on to the idea that they're "just like Mayberry".

Magpie, as my hubby is almost done with his schooling to be a psychologist, I can assure you that psychologists and psychiatrists have not been trained in the idea that homosexuality is a mental disorder for decades. Homosexuality is not listed in the DSM-IV. The DSM still lists Gender Identity Disorder as a strong and persistent cross-gender identification, which is the desire to be, or the insistence that one is, of the other sex (Criterion A). This cross-gender identification must not merely be a desire for any perceived cultural advantages of being the other sex. There must also be evidence of persistent discomfort about one's assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex (Criterion B). The diagnosis is not made if the individual has a concurrent physical intersex condition (whether biochemical or physical, such as hermaphroditism) (Criterion C). BUT, this must result in clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The emphasis of the diagnosis, though, is on the difficulties that come from the psychological distress of not feeling the "right" gender: isolation, self-mutilation, inability to function in society, etc. Therapy focuses on resolving feelings of distress, not trying to convince the individual that they are "wrong" for feeling that way. The therapist might have the individual explore the possibility that there may be some other underlying cause for the feelings, but that is part of ensuring that all avenues are explored... some disorders like schizophrenia include delusions of being the opposite gender.

Professional, ethical psychologists only consider something to be a "disorder" if it is causing clinically significant impairments in work, school, family, or social life. If you want to be the other gender but you manage your life just fine, having friends, a job, significant relationships, etc., an ethical psychologist or psychiatrist will not attempt to change you.

/PSA

[Magpie]

Professional, ethical psychologists only consider something to be a "disorder" if it is causing clinically significant impairments in work, school, family, or social life. If you want to be the other gender but you manage your life just fine, having friends, a job, significant relationships, etc., an ethical psychologist or psychiatrist will not attempt to change you.

Sorry, this thread (and reading after smiley was talking about the pastor who was spamming him with "ex-gay" groups) was making me cynical. The key word there is already emphasized. I know that a lot of professional organisations aren't able to keep up with people using titles to which they aren't entitled, so I was worried that there might be a lot of people misrepresenting themselves.

[EvilEmpryss]

I understand. Fortunately, I know that these are all ethical psychologists because my husband met all of them during his search for an internship. You can never tell, though, how some people will react until you get into a therapeutic relationship with them. Fortunately, the American Psychological Association (APA) can be very strict when it comes to censuring unethical practitioners.

The sad part is that there *are* plenty of people with impressive scholastic achievements (lots of letters after their names) who will advertise therapy groups that are designed to "change" a person's sexual preferences. As I mentioned in the other thread, that kind of "therapy" is not supported by the APA. Unfortunately, not all psychologists are part of or even abide by the APA's standards. The APA can be a slow to keep up with technology, but sexual issues are well-researched and well-documented... with the fervor with which sex issues are pursued it kinda makes you wonder what the personal motives are behind some of these people becoming psychologists in the first place.

[Mishi]

Not male= currently, it's the occasional bout with makeup due to limiting factors in my life... however, I feel and act feminine most of the time.

I no longer feel embarassed for assuming you were female! That customer really needs to learn some tolerence, different doesn't mean wrong/bad, most of the time.

[smileyeagle1021]

(and reading after smiley was talking about the pastor who was spamming him with "ex-gay" groups)

Oh, the best part... he's a truck stop pastor (went from truck stop to truck stop to hold prayer meetings for the truckers staying there, so theoretically non-denominational)... I would assume someone who is used to having to handle the diverse spiritual needs of a group like that wouldn't be such a douchebag, but I guess it goes to show, douchebag is the one universal trait that does not discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, or religion (or lack thereof).

[Imogene]

I no longer feel embarassed for assuming you were female!

Actually, I much prefer you think of me as female... it's still not right, but it's far easier than explaining my desire to be non-gendered.

[MoonCat]

Furry fandom (also known as furrydom, fur fandom or furdom) refers to the fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_(subculture)

I've never heard of this before, and I can't be the only one, so I'm guessing that woman didn't know what to make of it. However, that absolutely does not excuse her remarks. I hate when people try to change someone else's lifestyle or identity because it doesn't fit what they think it should be.

[telecom_goddess]

Actually, I much prefer you think of me as female... it's still not right, but it's far easier than explaining my desire to be non-gendered.

cool cause I thought you were female before too

[Juggler]

I respond "well not exactly, I am in a long term relationship with my boyfriend now" (I now say my fiance and they drop it because they wouldn't assume anything other than a girl and they respond "oh... well, don't worry, you just need to find the right woman to fix that"

So you're telling me that if I tell people I'm gay they would start throwing single hot women who are are over 30 but look 19 at me?

[EvilEmpryss]

So you're telling me that if I tell people I'm gay they would start throwing single hot women who are are over 30 but look 19 at me?

Noooo. They'll start throwing uptight middle-aged women who look like they stepped off a Warren Jeffs compound at you. These women will come at you believing that it is their holy mission to convert you from your sinful ways. They will *not* use sex to do so, at least not until they get you brainwashed into marrying them. After that, sex may or may not be in the picture... it depends on whether or not they want children. Every aspect of their lives will be directed by what they believe is "God's Will", and now so will yours.

But hey, you don't have to believe me. Give it a try.

[searssoulslave]

Douchebag is the one universal trait that does not discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, or religion (or lack thereof).

It's a proven fact that all SC's suffer from this disorder.

[Ironclad Alibi]

So you're telling me that if I tell people I'm gay they would start throwing single hot women who are are over 30 but look 19 at me?

The only guaranteed way to consistantly meet hot women is to get married and be faithful to your wife. The hot women will come out of the woodwork. But if you even think about being unfaithful, they'll disappear in a flash, only to be replaced by EE's uptight middle-aged women.

[Taboo]

I thought you were female too, just from the way that you write.

I have to agree that the area you're looking at is not the best choice of places to be open, out, etc. But, that said, NOWHERE is ideal. I'm in NYC which is presumably so artsy and liberal, and most of the time it is, but I've also heard a lot of really awful racists remarks and I've had a friend kicked out of their apartment by their roommates when they came out. So might there be better places than where you are or where you're considering? Sure. But nothing is going to be a perfect solution and as long as you move regarding it as an opportunity rather than a fix for problems, then it could be a very good thing to get out and get some more perspective.

Something to consider: how hard is it for you to move back or move elsewhere if this doesn't work out? You should have a backup plan in mind.