Sexism in Furry
There are generally three forms of sexism that exist (everywhere, not just in furry): Type_1 -blatant, Type_2 - unconscious, and Type_3 -insensitive. Type_1 is rare in this day and age, and is when someone both does and says sexist things, fully aware of the meaning behind it. Type_2 is when we do or say something sexist without realizing that it is. This might be favoring someone of the same sex over someone of the opposite sex, or holding some bias or opinion that is rooted in sexism. Type_3 is a lighter shade of "unconscious," and usually comes in the form of making jokes or using language that isn't intended to offend, but is still sexist.
A complaint that I have heard voiced by several women in furry is that men in furry (perhaps gay men a bit more so) are sexist. According to those I've spoken with, the most common manifestations of this is ignoring women in one fashion or another, and making what I'll call "girls are icky" comments (primarily on FA). Certainly some of this is Type_2, and perhaps a bit of Type_1. When it's Type_1 and the person is gay, I suspect it stems from a rejection of societal norm that is being projected onto the female sex, and I feel most of Type_2 are just immature expressions of preference mixed with societal conditioning. Not that this is an excuse for either, but it's important to understand where they come from if we ever have any hope of addressing them.
Now, contrary to the belief of many, there is a fourth type of sexism, societal. Men and woman in our society exist separately for the most part. Different bathrooms, teams, sides of the dance floor, etc. Some of this is ingrained in us as we will naturally be drawn to those most similar to ourselves, but beyond that it is very much reinforced to us that men and woman are separate. Now, this aspect of our society may have its roots in Type_1 sexism (and certainly religious views of propriety), but now it is primarily an in-group division that most people don’t even consciously realize exist or understand.
Because sexes are separated groups, for people from either side to connect with a person from the other side requires a bridge of some sort. The most common bridge in our society is sexual attraction. Certainly there are other bridges -and for some the gap is so close a step will suffice - but this is primarily where it happens. So now we can see the roots of the problem in furry. If you’re a gay man who has grown up in our society, you lack the sexual attraction to women, and thus lack access to the bridge that would bring you together.
Type_1-3 sexism is something we need to identify and speak out against when we hear it because that’s how we will overcome it. However, we also need to recognize when someone is mistaking those for Type_4, because we’ll end up trying unscrew a nail. Moving forward, both sexes are going to need to take steps to bridge the gap for reasons other than sex (though sex is still okay) if we are ever to have hope of removing this societal, bi-directional sexism, and make a lot of new and we also need to recognize when someone is mistaking those for Type_4, because we’ll end up trying unscrew a nail. Moving forward, both sexes are going to need to take steps to bridge the gap for reasons other than sex (though sex is still okay) if we are ever to have hope of removing this societal, bi-directional sexism, and make a lot of new and
A complaint that I have heard voiced by several women in furry is that men in furry (perhaps gay men a bit more so) are sexist. According to those I've spoken with, the most common manifestations of this is ignoring women in one fashion or another, and making what I'll call "girls are icky" comments (primarily on FA). Certainly some of this is Type_2, and perhaps a bit of Type_1. When it's Type_1 and the person is gay, I suspect it stems from a rejection of societal norm that is being projected onto the female sex, and I feel most of Type_2 are just immature expressions of preference mixed with societal conditioning. Not that this is an excuse for either, but it's important to understand where they come from if we ever have any hope of addressing them.
Now, contrary to the belief of many, there is a fourth type of sexism, societal. Men and woman in our society exist separately for the most part. Different bathrooms, teams, sides of the dance floor, etc. Some of this is ingrained in us as we will naturally be drawn to those most similar to ourselves, but beyond that it is very much reinforced to us that men and woman are separate. Now, this aspect of our society may have its roots in Type_1 sexism (and certainly religious views of propriety), but now it is primarily an in-group division that most people don’t even consciously realize exist or understand.
Because sexes are separated groups, for people from either side to connect with a person from the other side requires a bridge of some sort. The most common bridge in our society is sexual attraction. Certainly there are other bridges -and for some the gap is so close a step will suffice - but this is primarily where it happens. So now we can see the roots of the problem in furry. If you’re a gay man who has grown up in our society, you lack the sexual attraction to women, and thus lack access to the bridge that would bring you together.
Type_1-3 sexism is something we need to identify and speak out against when we hear it because that’s how we will overcome it. However, we also need to recognize when someone is mistaking those for Type_4, because we’ll end up trying unscrew a nail. Moving forward, both sexes are going to need to take steps to bridge the gap for reasons other than sex (though sex is still okay) if we are ever to have hope of removing this societal, bi-directional sexism, and make a lot of new and we also need to recognize when someone is mistaking those for Type_4, because we’ll end up trying unscrew a nail. Moving forward, both sexes are going to need to take steps to bridge the gap for reasons other than sex (though sex is still okay) if we are ever to have hope of removing this societal, bi-directional sexism, and make a lot of new and