Furries flock to OKC
Hundreds off urri es are gathering in downtown Oklahoma City this weekend for Anthro Expo, a convention for people who enthusiastic ally don animal suits and character garb as away to express their personalities, show off their f andom and revel in role play.
“No one's going to search or frisk your tail,” said Austin Eubanks, who runs the booth for Paw star, which sells merchandise and apparel online and at furry conventions around the country.
A rack of costume tails was on display. Eubanks said furry attire can vary in different markets, depending on the weather, and, sometimes, the local sports teams. Some
furries match their attire with team colors.
But tails are the most common piece of furry wear.
A c c o r d i n g t o a 2 0 1 4 s u r v e y b y t h e Anthropomorphic Research Project, 48% of furries own tails. A l i t t l e more t h a n 1 8 % o w n a p a r t i a l s u i t . Thirteen percent own a full fursuit.
The Anthropomorphic Research Project says the term “furry” describes “a diverse community of f ans, arti sts, write r s , g a mers a n d r o l e players.”
Most furries create for themselves a “fursona,” o r a n a n t h r o p o mor - phized animal character with whom they identify, the project says.
Anthro Expo — with t h e t h e m e “R e t r o Re n e g a d e s ! ” — d r e w a variety of characters to the Sheraton Hotel on Friday as attendees checked i nto the convention and checked out each other's fursuits.
A b l a c k f o x n a med “Vei l Et a h ” s o l i c i t e d hugs and danced.
H e l i k e s t o “h a n g around parties” and have f un, Veil said i n t hird person, adding that he also enjoys coffee “if it's not too weak.”
K i a n a Wo o l l y , 1 3 , attended opening day with her mother.
Kiana created a character called “Hunter” whose costume includes a cloak and boots. She carries a stick.
Kiana said she hasn't come up with a backstory for her character yet, but is working on it. As convention attende e s p a s s e d b y , Ki a na reflected.
“It's j ust nice to see what everyone's poured their hearts and souls into,” she said.
Wh e n a s k e d w h a t kind of weapon the stick is — a wand or whatever — Kiana paused f or a moment.
“For now, it's just my stick,” she said.
Later, Kiana was seen wielding the stick at a g r oup of f ur r i e s a nd, i n f un, t hreatening t o “battle all of you.”
Events for all ages — and just adults
Anthro Expo features p a n e l s , v e n d o r s a n d music. On i ts website at anthroexpo.net, the convention lists which events are for attendees 18 and over.
“Iron Furry” features “lewdy artists” creating pictures based on audience suggestions, with a n a uct i on t o f ol l ow. Another panel is titled “R o p e B o n d a g e f o r Beginners.” There's also an opportunity to “romp and play” with f ell ow furries over 18.
P h i l a n t h r o p i c f u r - r i e s a r e d o n a t i n g t o WildCare Foundation, a Noble-based nonprofit that rehabilitates wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into nature.
Anthro Expo operator Brett Martin t old The Oklahoman that furries and fandoms embrace personal expression and the acceptance of various communities.
“I think that one key thing that I take away f rom all of t hese f andoms is this platform of acceptance and love,” he said.
“And especially now i n o u r e n v i r o n m e n t i n t he U. S. and i n t he world, it's important to have those platforms so those creative types have a way to really broaden and show who they are.”
At the booth for Tasty Peach Studios, which sells plushies, charms and necklaces among o t h e r m e r c h a n d i s e , Jack Fixter said a lot of shy people find safety in their fursuits.
Tasty Peach Studios has a website and travels to fan conventions in various states. Behind her was a large display of plushies.
“G o i n g t h r o u g h Border Patrol has been interesting,” she said.