There’s a frequent topic in furry discussions. Advice-giving furries tell each other: You Don’t Have To Come Out As Furry. It’s cringeworthy to do that, right? You don’t come out as a Star Trek fan, do you? Why would anyone act like appreciating cartoon animals is an identity that’s somehow comparable to being gay? Isn’t that insulting to people who face REAL struggles? What’s the worst that could happen?

Here’s a cautionary tale for you. A story of struggle, acceptance, and Wolf Bulge. A reason for a “Best Dad In Fandom” award.

SO I JUST GOT HOME FROM FURSQUARED AND MY PARENTS DECIDED TO CLEAN MY ROOM AND THEY FOUND ALL OF MY LEWD FURRY SHIT — honey bunches of yotes (@CazCoyote) February 27, 2017

my parents are cool about this but jesus christ i'm fucking dying and my boyfriend can't stop laughing — honey bunches of yotes (@CazCoyote) February 27, 2017

Dad: "I found some art in your room and decided to hang it up on your wall while you were gone. What do you think?"

Me: "uhh it looks great" pic.twitter.com/eZJZEhWA42 — honey bunches of yotes (@CazCoyote) February 27, 2017

my mom just told me how excited my dad was to hang up all the artwork they found in my room — honey bunches of yotes (@CazCoyote) February 28, 2017

Just realized I never posted a new pic of my room layout now. Includes more art my dad hung up 😛 pic.twitter.com/yKfGGj2O36 — honey bunches of yotes (@CazCoyote) February 28, 2017

Your dad has achieved peak dad-trolling by embarrassing you supportively. 😀 — Robert "Chiaroscuro" Armstrong (@ChefMongoose) February 28, 2017

What could be more perfect than this? OK, just one thing – if they hung it on the refrigerator.

Sadly not everyone has the Hero Dad they deserve. Let’s be serious for a minute. Some dads kick their kids out for being gay. And there are actual verified survey numbers showing that, more likely than not, being in this fandom does overlap with being LGBT. So it’s a half-truth to mock people for “coming out” as furry. Think of being into disco and show tunes, pink fluffy sweaters, or things considered stereotypical for queer expression even if they aren’t your “identity”. Wouldn’t you worry about people assuming? People shouldn’t have to hide their hobby, but if they do, it may involve vulnerability about other private things being attached. That’s no more easy to deal with than the deeper issue. So don’t be mean and mock people for “coming out” as furry, because you don’t know what else is at stake.

if my parents saw anything remotely lewd/furry, I'd get the "sodomy is unacceptable" speech and then sent to see my pastor! — A wolf in otters clothing (@COBALTBLUEOTTER) February 28, 2017

I'd be thrilled if me dad would approve haha. My room is so full of smut I just lock the door when family visits or cover it up — Internet of Foxes 🏳️‍🌈 Dasos 🇺🇸🦊🇩🇪 (@dasos) February 28, 2017

me to my parents: im gay

them: wtf

me: wait till u hear this; i pretend to be a dog online and i plan to spend thousands on a dog costume — really good toad (@tsmbandit) February 26, 2017

If you have to consider it, then take Kyell Gold’s advice:

if you act like it’s something to be ashamed of, people will pick up on that. If you act like it’s a cool thing, fun, and a positive part of your life, which I think for most of us it is, then that’s how your friends and family will view it.

Hey Caz – show this to your dad, and tell him thanks for helping to make a cool story about his cute, fluffy son.

UPDATE:

Artist ID’d – it’s Tsaiwolf.

now you can say your prints are parent approved! :p — honey bunches of yotes (@CazCoyote) March 1, 2017