Sexual orientation

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The rainbow flag associated with homosexuality in and out of the fandom.

Sexual orientation describes the gender or genders that someone feels sexually attracted to. The term sexual preference is often used interchangeably, but the term sexual preference is more broad and includes personal attitudes in between the three general categories defined as sexual orientations: Heterosexuality describes an attraction to someone of the opposite gender. Bisexuality is the sexual attraction to members of both sexes, male and female. Homosexuality describes an attraction to someone of the same gender.

The term gay has three different meanings. First, it is occasionally used synonymously with homosexual. Second, and most oftenly, it is used to refer specifically to male/male attraction while the term lesbian refers to female/female attraction. Third, gay is sometimes used to refer to both homosexuals and bisexuals.

There is a stereotype that a significantly larger proportion of the furry fandom is homosexual or bisexual compared to the general population.^[1] A lack of completely reliable survey data exists.^[2] The studies that have been done suggest the stereotype is partially true, though not to the large extent that is often suggested.^[1] Furries have suggested various theories for this.

[edit] Why does it seem that many furries are homosexual or bisexual?

[edit] Fandom surveys

There are multiple estimates of the percentage of gays in the furry fandom. It is often thought within the fandom that the number is high, possibly as high as 90%,^[1] but polls have shown differences in estimation.

• A 2007 University of California at Davis study found that 37.3% of respondents were bisexual, 32.7% heterosexual, 25.5% homosexual, and 8% were uncertain.^[3]
• A poll used in The Sociology of Furry Fandom, a 2002 paper by David J. Rust hosted at The Darken Hollow, showed 25% heterosexual, 19% homosexual, and 48% bisexual out of 360 peopled polled.^[1] Rust concluded that "Truth be told, there are many more homosexual members of the fandom than in general society."^[1]
• A poll (of indeterminable date, but before 2005) on the IFPL used the Kinsey scale to rate the measure of homosexuality in respondents:

• A 2006 FAOD poll showed 25% heterosexual, 20% homosexual, and 55% bisexual (out of 44 polled)^[4].
• A Furtopia poll (open 2003 to 2007) stated that 53.4% were heterosexual, 15.5% gay, and 31.1% bisexual out of 885 people polled.^[5]
• A poll by Alex Osaki reported that 42.75% were heterosexual, 16.86% were homosexual, 35.29% were bisexual, and 4.71% self-identified as neither.^[6]

[edit] General surveys

Estimates of the incidence of homosexuality in the general population vary greatly, due in part to the lack of reliable survey data and the difficulty in defining sexual orientations.^[2] Dr. Alfred Kinsey's work Sexual Behavior in the Human Male found that "46% of the male population had engaged in both heterosexual and homosexual activities, or "reacted to" persons of both sexes, in the course of their adult lives". In addition, the book stated that "10% of males in the sample were predominantly homosexual between the ages of 16 and 55".^[7] Kinsey's book, and its companion Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, have received vocal criticism for their findings and methodology.^{[8][9][10][11]} The New York Times called his research "conscientious and comprehensive"^[12] and Professor Martin Duberman called it "skillful" and "a monumental endeavor".^[13]

Several recent surveys done in Western countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States typically define between 1% and 10% of the general population, which an average around 5%, as homosexual or bisexual.^[14] The British government conducted a country-wide survey in 2005 as part of the Civil Partnership Act. This study, the only official government study of its kind, stated that 6% of the United Kingdom would be interested in forming a civil union.^[15]

[edit] Theories

One viable theory involves Mark Merlino, a former chair of ConFurence who co-founded the first furry conventions. Crush Yiff Destroy has suggested that Merlino actively recruited alternative lifestylers into the fandom, and that this influences furry demographics to this day.^[16]. Some speculate that the negative social stigma attached to the fandom keeps away heterosexual mundanes who would otherwise feel interested. David Rust has stated that "The social variations for Furries may seem unusual from a generic, American viewpoint. However, from the position of a group of people who are already predisposed to enjoying anthropomorphic animals, other concepts such as homosexuality... seem somewhat mundane and unimportant by comparison."^[1]

[edit] Categorization

The current scientific consensus advocated by various social and educational organizations^[17] is that people develop their own permanent, unchangeable sexual orientation within one of the three categories in their early childhood as a combination of genetic tendencies and their social environment.^[18]

A minority of researchers, sometimes known as 'queer theorists', believe that the concept of sexual orientations is a social construct and that people naturally exhibit a variety of attractions. Pressed Fur reports that some furries also subscribe to this view.^[19] Although he did not advocate the social construct theory, Dr. Alfred Kinsey stated that "Males do not represent two discrete populations, heterosexual and homosexual... The living world is a continuum in each and every one of its aspects."^[20] He postulated a scale of sexual preferences from zero to six, zero being exclusively heterosexual.^[20]

[edit] Social attitudes among furries

The Sociology of Furry Fandom, a 2002 paper by David J. Rust hosted at The Darken Hollow, found that "race, religion and sexual orientation (as divisive factors) are simply too minor to attract any real attention" and that furries have "higher tolerance for variety in sexual orientation and activity".^[1]

A small yet significant minority of furries self-identify as Christian.^[1] Some of them believe in the traditional Christian view that homosexual conduct is immoral and that homosexuals should be celibate.^[21] Other Christian furs believe that the Bible verses and sacred traditions cited against homosexuality are misinterpreted.^[22] Both sides maintain a cordial relationship with each other and try to promote mutual understanding.^[22] This website summarizes the arguments in the debate.

[edit] References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} The Sociology of Furry Fandom. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Demographics of sexual orientation at Wikipedia. Retrieved September 28th, 2007.
3. ↑ "Furry Survey Results" from University of California, Davis: Department of Psychology. Published 2007-05-05. Accessed 2007-05-05.
4. ↑ FAOD Message Board
5. ↑ Furtopia Message Board retrieved December 19, 2008.
6. ↑ Furry Poll Results as of December 30, 2007.
7. ↑ Research Summary from the Kinsey Institute.
8. ↑ "Kinsey and the Homosexual Revolution" by Dr. Judith Reisman
9. ↑ Biography of Statician John W. Tukey
10. ↑ American conservative magazine Human Events calls the Kinsey Report the fourth Most Harmful Book of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
11. ↑ Roman Catholic educational association The Intercollegiate Studies Institute called it "A pervert's attempt to demonstrate that perversion is "statistically"”normal" and the third "Worst Book of the Century".
12. ↑ Pomeroy, Wardell (1972). Dr. Kinsey and the Institute for Sex Research. New York: Harper & Row.
13. ↑ Book review of Alfred C. Kinsey : A Public/Private Life originally published in The Nation.
14. ↑ Demographics of sexual orientation at Wikipedia. Accessed December 31, 2007.
15. ↑ Sexual Orientation Policy Statement Draft for Consultation (pdf)
16. ↑ "Journey to the Center of Mark Merlino"
17. ↑ such as the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the National Education Association
18. ↑ Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation & Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel 1999, American Psychological Association
19. ↑ "Sitting On the Third Side of the Fence" by Hannah Kincaid from Pressed Fur
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} "Kinsey's Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale" from the Kinsey Institute.
21. ↑ Many furries of 'furrychristian's take this view.
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} The furries of 'Rainbow Ark' take this view