Spotlighting the forgotten women of the furry community

Spotlighting the forgotten women of the furry community
Hot fursuit — Photographer Alex Stewart captures one of the world’s most misunderstood subcultures, joining a group of female furries as they enjoy a weekend away.

What’s it really like to be a furry? For people outside of the subculture, the answer has never quite been clear. Those who are part of the ‘furry fandom’ tend to be associated with kinks, perversion and sexual deviancy – with links regularly being drawn to bestiality, plushophilia (sexual attraction to stuffed animals) and schediophilia (sexual attraction to cartoons).

To a degree, this stereotyping makes sense: these are people who enjoy dressing up in large, overelaborate animal costumes. But for furries, these assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I think for people who are outside of the community, it’s easy just to see it as ‘people dressing up in suits’, but the level of artistry involved is incredible,” explains Cardiff-based photographer Alex Stewart. “Being a furry is about creating a completely new persona for yourself.”

While not a furry himself, Stewart has made the subculture the focus of his latest photo series. The untitled project, which is still ongoing, looks specifically at the women of the fandom – a group that’s often forgotten due to the community’s heavily male make-up.

993A2434-5 993A3154-11

As well as spotlighting these women’s day-to-day pursuits, the series is also an attempt to erase the stigma that surrounds the furry way of life. “I’ve always been interested in the idea of escapism within fandoms, and the misconceptions behind the more unconventional forms of it all,” the photographer explains. “I first heard of Furries online, through documentaries and articles online and I felt that the tone that these ‘exposés’ on the community were almost universally judgemental. I don’t like to take things at face value, so I decided to throw myself into it and learn more.”

Stewart joined the furries on a group weekend getaway – shooting them as they relaxed, sketched, played cards and listened to music. “People don’t really spend that much time in their suits,” he clarifies. “They’re too hot and cumbersome to wear for prolonged periods of time, but those who had them wore them every now and again, but for the most part people just relaxed and did things you would expect.”

The photographer also adds that, despite the stereotypes, all the behaviour on the trip remained strictly vanilla. “It’s not a sexual thing,” he stresses. “A small minority do see a sexual element to it, but in the same way you wouldn’t say that everyone who likes Star Wars is into golden bikini slave fetishes.”

993A2958-6 993A3293-12 993A3020-10 993A2454-1 993A3002-9 993A2354-4 993A2985-8 993A2312-3

 

See more of Alex Stewart’s work on his official website, or follow him on Instagram.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Latest on Huck

Analogue Appreciation: Maria Teriaeva’s five pieces that remind her of home
Culture

Analogue Appreciation: Maria Teriaeva’s five pieces that remind her of home

From Sayan to Savoie — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. First up, the Siberian-born, Paris-based composer and synthesist.

Written by: Maria Teriaeva

Petition to save the Prince Charles Cinema signed by over 100,000 people in a day
Activism

Petition to save the Prince Charles Cinema signed by over 100,000 people in a day

PCC forever — The Soho institution has claimed its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd, is demanding the insertion of a break clause that would leave it “under permanent threat of closure”.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Remembering Taboo, the party that reshaped ’80s London nightlife
Music

Remembering Taboo, the party that reshaped ’80s London nightlife

Glitter on the floor — Curators Martin Green and NJ Stevenson revisit Leigh Bowery’s legendary night, a space for wild expression that reimagined partying and fashion.

Written by: Cyna Mirzai

A timeless, dynamic view of the Highland Games
Sport

A timeless, dynamic view of the Highland Games

Long Walk Home — Robbie Lawrence travelled to the historic sporting events across Scotland and the USA, hoping to learn about cultural nationalism. He ended up capturing a wholesome, analogue experience rarely found in the modern age.

Written by: Isaac Muk

The rave salvaging toilets for London’s queers
Music

The rave salvaging toilets for London’s queers

Happy Endings — Public bathrooms have long been contested spaces for LGBTQ+ communities, and rising transphobia is seeing them come under scrutiny. With the infamous rave-in-a-bog at an east London institution, its party-goers are claiming them for their own.

Written by: Ben Smoke

Baghdad’s first skatepark set to open next week
Sport

Baghdad’s first skatepark set to open next week

Make Life Skate Life — Opening to the public on February 1, it will be located at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the city centre and free-of-charge to use.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Sign up to our newsletter

Issue 81: The more than a game issue

Buy it now