Hello.

Hey there

Sorry I wasn't on earlier.

It's alright

Would you like to do the interview now?

Sure.

Alright. Thanks

hold on

let me get my paperwork

OK.

First off, just a few words to be read before we begin...

-You can remain anonymous if you choose so, however you want.

I have no reason too.

-You can refuse to answer any question(s) you want, but if you do provide an answer, please make it an honest one.

-Please correct me on incorrect or inaccurate use of terms or colloquialisms. I do not wish to offend, and I want to learn more about the subject and get my facts straight. So don't be afraid to help me out.

-Some statements and questions I inquire may seem very extreme or even offensive and stereotypical. They are. I want to tackle these stereotypes directly. I do not wish to offend or seem to make light of furry fandom.

That's it. The first questions are rather simply; survey-style:

Ok.

Name (this can include human name, animal persona name, username, etc.)?

Daniel Tamney (Dan Skunk)

Age?

We usually call it real name and fur name.

33

okay

thanks

ethnicity?

Umm... European.

sexual orientation

Bisexual.

political affiliation?

I don't have one.

religion?

(and answers like not having one are perfectly acceptable )

My own.

Location? (state/province/country/city/region, etc.)

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.

Was there a specific moment when you felt connected to you animal? If so, when?

When I was around 3 years old. Watching Fables of the Green Forest on TV Ontario. There was a character named Jimmy Skunk that I identified with. I'm not really sure why, but I was very shy at the time and I think he seemed like someone that was happy being alone. I would sometimes daydream about being a skunk.

Is that why you decided on a skunk?

I think I always felt different and disconnected from people because of my shyness. Maybe I felt that being a skunk would be easier for me and I wouldn't have to deal with people.

What are some of your hobbies?

Poetry, a little bit of writing. Video games.

How do you celebrate being a furry?

Usually by going to conventions to talk to other furries about things I'm interested in. I go to smaller local furmeets as well.

Do you consider that you were your animal in a past life, or that you’re trapped in a human body, or is it simply that you find the skunk to be a proper totem animal for you?

For me, I feel like I was a skunk in a past life. I had a vision shortly after finding furry that said that. That I had come here to help other's like me remember that they weren't just trapped in human form, but had come here for a reason, so that they would be able to communicate with humans and help them get alone better with animals and nature.

You don't mind me giving long answers, do you?

Not at all

these are the more indepth questions, I suppose; the first ten were more survey-like

Ok.

When did you discover the Furry Fandom?

I'll check.

alright.

August 18, 2003 at 10:21 PM.

thanks

What usually goes on at the various Furry conventions or meet-ups you attend? (feel free to go into detail)

Many different activities. costuming, dances, shows put on by attendees and guests such as variety shows. Art shows, people selling furry items like art and crafts. Workshops teaching people art and writing and costuming. Panel discussions on various topics. usually conventions will raise money for charities that help animals.

Do you wear anything representing your animal in public, or at home, excluding furmeets or conventions and the like?

I don't do that myself, no.

Have you ever told anyone that you personally know that you are a furry or identify with a skunk? If so, who, and when?

(this excludes the Internet)

Yes. Mostly just other furries at conventions in related discussion groups, though I have told others who were interested as well sometimes.

Are your friends/relatives/peers/co-workers aware of you being a furry? How do they respond to it?

Friends and family. Mostly they think it's silly, but harmless.

When did they first find out?

Not long after I found out there were others and started meeting up with them.

Do you regularly hang out with other furries in person? Do you know anyone in person who feels similarly to you (excluding conventions, etc.)?

I know a few that feel similar to me, though most furries seem to just be fans of the art and don't feel anything more.

You mentioned you like to write. Do you write about your connection to skunks or being a furry?

Yes. Usually just on forums though. I havn't for a while though. I think I've mostly said everything I had to say about it already.

Are you ever treated unfairly or unkindly for your beliefs?

Sometimes by other furries. They think I'm taking it too far and making them look bad.

How so?

They don't want to be associated with people that think they're animals in a previous life because it's too strange to non furries and is easy to be made fun of.

Do you wear a skunk costume at conventions?

I don't have one. It hasn't been that important to me to costume; just to share ideas and feelings. If I had the money for one, I would consider it though.

YOu just usually go as you are, then?

Yes.

Do you find anything sexual about skunks, or furries in general?

There is a lot of furry pornography and pornographic literature in the fandom that I find arrousing. more so than non furry pornography. I think I feel more comfortable with furries.

More so, I think it's just a lot more diverse and creative than regular pornography.

Although you don't wear anything or add any makeup related to skunks, would you ever undergo physical alterations to better resemble your totem animal? (this can be from a haircut to surgery)

Well, if it could be done so that I would be a completely anthropomorphic skunk, I would probably do it if I could afford it. It would let me present myself to others more as how I feel I am inside. As of now, surgery wouldn't be adequate for me.

Do you feel that that would be the only proper way to show your skunk persona, since you don't wear a costume or jewelry, etc.?

No. A costume would also be another way to express that, which would be adequate, just not as perfect.

How do you feel Furries are portrayed in the media?

The media seems now to be mostly focusing on costumes, which while the most visible of our members, are still a minority.

In the past they've focused too much on the sexual aspects, though not everyone is interested in that either. I don't feel furries are any more sexual than anyone else, though they are more open and accepting about it than other members of society which makes it seem more important than normal.

Are you at all interested in animal rights, conservation, etc.? If so, are you more so since becoming a furry?

(we're almost done, by the way)

I've always been interested in treating animals with the same respect and dignity as humans. I see animals as equals that deserve the right to make their own choices. I believe animals should always be treated with compassion and humanity whenever possible.

What message boards, chat rooms, forums related to Furries are you a member of? What usually goes on in these internet communities, what's daily life like? How does it differ from the conventions?

I've been on alt.lifestyle.furry and alt.fan.furry since I found furry. The first one occasionally has discussions about animal spirituality, though has become quiet with a lack of newcomers asking questions. The second one mostly has people sharing animal and furry related things they find in the internet from furries and in mainstream media.

Do you think that Furries need to gain better respect in society, like other minority groups? Do you think that they will be able to obtain that?

I'm on a local mailing list we use to organize meets and discuss things sometimes. Occasionally I'll browse a message board.

I don't think it's the same thing as a minority group. Furry is a very diverse group of individuals with many different beliefs and from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We do, though, share an interest in anthropomorphic animals that could be better understood and accepted by society.

Finally, do you have any last words or thoughts to say, about being a furry, or the fandom in general, etc.?

I think they will be more accepted as they become more knowing.

Known.

(sorry if I'm rushing you)

I don't really have any last words. I just think it's nice that there's so many different people being brought together by this shared interest or fascination and that for the most part, they get along really well together.

Thank you very much for your time, Dan. I really appreciate it.

I think sometimes, people look for a way to escape all the troubles of their daily lives and in a way, anthropomorphic animals remind us that we are all animals inside that share many of the same desires and feelings with other species.

(sorry, I didn't know if you were finished; I just have someone waiting for me on MSN)

Profound words.

Furry gives us a way to escape to a more simple existence for a while; to get away from the human world, with all it's rules and expectations and be able to express ourselves and who we are more freely and openly than we can in the human wold. In a way, I think furries, by pretending to be animals, are actually the ones that are more in touch with their humanity.

Thank you so much again, Dan! It means a lot to me, and will help me out tremendously for my project!

You're welcome.

Is it alright if I share this interview with others?

that's fine

Thanks.

Would you like me to see if I could find others to help you?

maybe, but I have a lot of participants already. I'll let you know, though.

thanks again!

Ah. Ok. That's good. I didn't know if you had a lot of responses. Some of us are nervous about doing interviews.

it's alright

bye!

Later.