"This is discrimination."
minute read
The Maryland Renaissance Fair has banned costumes of "furries" this year, saying that those who like to wear animal costumes should leave those togs at home and switch it up for something more in keeping with the historic nature of the festival itself. Furries, the festival organizers say, are not exactly historically accurate.
Organizers also said that the costumes make other attendees feel weird and uncomfortable. Maryland Renaissance Festival general Manager Julius Smith explained the new policy in a comment to City Cast DC, saying other attendees were left "feeling uncomfortable by those wearing fursuits." The policy has been in place since May but the festival is fast approaching and furry devotees are getting their dander up.
In a Furries United Facebook group, one user said of the ban "This is discrimination" while others jumped in saying it couldn't be true. Another user suggested that the group "bombard [the festival] with complaints publicly and directly. Get the word out. It will be a bad look on them if they are barring the kind of cosplay you want to do if it is not harmful or detracting to the Faire."
"There's a few pups that are thinking about getting together," said another. "Standing outside with the sign let us in. As like a protest."
The dress code is clear. Under a section called Headwear Restrictions, the festival bans both face coverings, fursuits, and anything that is not thematic to the event.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival has become a furry hotspot over recent years, City Cast DC reports. They spoke to attendees who were super sad that they would not be able to wear their fur costumes and headpieces this year.
"I kind of went through all the stages of grief," said Hawthorne to City Cast DC. He's been active in the furry community for 15 years. "I think the biggest impact is losing this lovely place that I had kind of considered home. It was really, really heartbreaking." He relayed that this sentiment was broadly felt throughout the community because furries had planned meet-ups at the festival going back years.
He admitted that the public perception of the furry community as overtly sexual is not entirely off, saying "The media does love to portray the furry community as very sexually enthusiastic, if you will, and it's a group of adults being together. It's also a very queer-oriented community, and a lot of that community involves very radical self-expression, and within that radical self-expression, sexual themes can make an appearance."
He also said that wasn't the vibe when the furries took to the Renaissance Fest and said that he is definitely not planning to attend this year.
Furries United on Facebook has nearly 10,000 members and bills itself as "a group, where furries, fans of furries can come together in harmony, sharing their interest and conversing with one another. it is a place in which there is no discrimination and people can express themselves freely, and a happy place where new friendships are made."
Furries have also become ubiquitous at Pride parades and events where primarily men in bondage gear where "pup" head gear as well and are walked around on leashes. There's even a furry Pride flag with purple, black, white, and a red bone in the center. Furry conventions have been held as well, and those who are into the furry thing and wear costumes say they take on a "fursona" when they're in their suits.
Organizers also said that the costumes make other attendees feel weird and uncomfortable. Maryland Renaissance Festival general Manager Julius Smith explained the new policy in a comment to City Cast DC, saying other attendees were left "feeling uncomfortable by those wearing fursuits." The policy has been in place since May but the festival is fast approaching and furry devotees are getting their dander up.
In a Furries United Facebook group, one user said of the ban "This is discrimination" while others jumped in saying it couldn't be true. Another user suggested that the group "bombard [the festival] with complaints publicly and directly. Get the word out. It will be a bad look on them if they are barring the kind of cosplay you want to do if it is not harmful or detracting to the Faire."
"There's a few pups that are thinking about getting together," said another. "Standing outside with the sign let us in. As like a protest."
The dress code is clear. Under a section called Headwear Restrictions, the festival bans both face coverings, fursuits, and anything that is not thematic to the event.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival has become a furry hotspot over recent years, City Cast DC reports. They spoke to attendees who were super sad that they would not be able to wear their fur costumes and headpieces this year.
"I kind of went through all the stages of grief," said Hawthorne to City Cast DC. He's been active in the furry community for 15 years. "I think the biggest impact is losing this lovely place that I had kind of considered home. It was really, really heartbreaking." He relayed that this sentiment was broadly felt throughout the community because furries had planned meet-ups at the festival going back years.
He admitted that the public perception of the furry community as overtly sexual is not entirely off, saying "The media does love to portray the furry community as very sexually enthusiastic, if you will, and it's a group of adults being together. It's also a very queer-oriented community, and a lot of that community involves very radical self-expression, and within that radical self-expression, sexual themes can make an appearance."
He also said that wasn't the vibe when the furries took to the Renaissance Fest and said that he is definitely not planning to attend this year.
Furries United on Facebook has nearly 10,000 members and bills itself as "a group, where furries, fans of furries can come together in harmony, sharing their interest and conversing with one another. it is a place in which there is no discrimination and people can express themselves freely, and a happy place where new friendships are made."
Furries have also become ubiquitous at Pride parades and events where primarily men in bondage gear where "pup" head gear as well and are walked around on leashes. There's even a furry Pride flag with purple, black, white, and a red bone in the center. Furry conventions have been held as well, and those who are into the furry thing and wear costumes say they take on a "fursona" when they're in their suits.
Sign in to comment
Powered by The Post Millennial CMS™ Comments
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
Comments