lupestripe (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lupestripe) wrote2008-05-11 06:12 pm
lupestripe) wrote2008-05-11 06:12 pm
Furries In Bizarre Magazine
As I mentioned last month, there was going to be a feature in this month's Bizarre Magazine concerning furries, based on the experience of a journalist at a recent LondonFur Meet.
Well, the edition has just been published and I have just read it. I must say it is the most balanced and well-written journalistic piece I have ever read regarding the Fandom. A big congrats to all those who were involved - either in explaining the Fandom to the magazine or having their picture taken - as it rights many of the wrongs written previously about Furry.
The journalist - the appropriately named Alix Fox - admtis from the start that she wanted to write an unbiased piece about the Fandom and although sex is mentioned, it is highlighted as being only a minority aspect of the community. In fact, she wanted it to be so unbiased that she actually made inquiries into ordering a Fursuit for herself so she could turn up to the meet appropriately attired.
Instead, she focuses on the links to computers and the Internet, as well as the creative side of the Fandom. She accepts that we have been much maligned but this is only because previous documentaries have focused on the extreme and sensationalist angles of the community.
She admits that she was impressed with the warmth of the community and couldn't speak highly enough of us. Her closing paragraph emphasises the warmth that she feels about us:
"Furries strike me as a highly creative and artistic bunch, and it's a shame that so many misguided people seem to want to dock their tails and neuter their harmless fun. They may be breaking away from the herd but having seen things from the inside, I'm inclined to say that the world might be a chirpier place if a few more sheep dared to dress in wolves' clothing."
Bizarre has always been my favourite magazine (it's the only one I buy religiously) and I always expected a positive article out of them but the way it was written and how it was colourfully presented, with many pictures of fursuits, is a credit not only to the magazine but also the Fandom too.
I have only read the article online, I haven't yet managed to acquire a hard copy of it. As soon as I do I may comment further but at the moment I am seriously thinking of writing a letter to Bizarre to congratulate them for the article. Y'see sometimes the Media don't stab you in the back - perhaps we should be a little more responsive to them in the future...
Well, the edition has just been published and I have just read it. I must say it is the most balanced and well-written journalistic piece I have ever read regarding the Fandom. A big congrats to all those who were involved - either in explaining the Fandom to the magazine or having their picture taken - as it rights many of the wrongs written previously about Furry.
The journalist - the appropriately named Alix Fox - admtis from the start that she wanted to write an unbiased piece about the Fandom and although sex is mentioned, it is highlighted as being only a minority aspect of the community. In fact, she wanted it to be so unbiased that she actually made inquiries into ordering a Fursuit for herself so she could turn up to the meet appropriately attired.
Instead, she focuses on the links to computers and the Internet, as well as the creative side of the Fandom. She accepts that we have been much maligned but this is only because previous documentaries have focused on the extreme and sensationalist angles of the community.
She admits that she was impressed with the warmth of the community and couldn't speak highly enough of us. Her closing paragraph emphasises the warmth that she feels about us:
"Furries strike me as a highly creative and artistic bunch, and it's a shame that so many misguided people seem to want to dock their tails and neuter their harmless fun. They may be breaking away from the herd but having seen things from the inside, I'm inclined to say that the world might be a chirpier place if a few more sheep dared to dress in wolves' clothing."
Bizarre has always been my favourite magazine (it's the only one I buy religiously) and I always expected a positive article out of them but the way it was written and how it was colourfully presented, with many pictures of fursuits, is a credit not only to the magazine but also the Fandom too.
I have only read the article online, I haven't yet managed to acquire a hard copy of it. As soon as I do I may comment further but at the moment I am seriously thinking of writing a letter to Bizarre to congratulate them for the article. Y'see sometimes the Media don't stab you in the back - perhaps we should be a little more responsive to them in the future...
no subject
I wish we hadn't been so critical ourselves, but I guess it was just the fact that nobody actually warned people in advance, but sometimes that can be helpful since people just act more naturally.
no subject
E4 is a national TV channel meanwhile and as such, anyone can just stumble upon it one evening. This means there is far greater likelihood for your boss/colleagues/family members etc will see you and that could make life difficult.
As we discussed before, I personally think people should be consulted before the media descend but if you have to sign forms and waivers granting your permission for your photo to be used, then that shouldn't be an issue either.
The article is scanned in the furrymedia group of LJ if you fancy reading it :)