NEWSDUMP – Furries In The Media – catchup part 1, (7-20-16)
by Patch O'Furr
Here’s headlines, links and little stories to make your tail wag. Tips: patch.ofurr@gmail.com.
There hasn’t been a Newsdump in a long time, so expect three updates packed with two months of stuff:
1. Furries in the Media. 2. Fandom News. 3. Fur-friendly Culture.
Pic: Luke Thor Travis, PGH City Paper
The media gave warm and fuzzy vibes for Anthrocon.
- Smart Business Pittsburgh: “Furry Fandom” (two-page spread with video).
- WTAE video: Fursuit parade vid
- WTAE photos: 2016 Anthrocon fursuit parade.
- PGH City Paper: Furries show off their finest ‘fursuits’ to the public in Anthrocon’s annual Fursuit Parade
- PGH City Paper: Pittsburgh gives the furries its annual warm welcome
- NEXTpittsburgh: Anthrocon turns 20, Fursuit Parade open to public
- Post-Gazette – The ‘Roaring Twenty’: Furries celebrate 20th anniversary of Anthrocon
- Palm Beach Post: Furries are back! Anthrocon is underway in Pittsburgh
- WPXI News: Anthrocon is underway in downtown Pittsburgh
- CBSPittsburgh: Furries Take Over KDKA Morning News
- Triblive.com: Furries expected to be financial boon to Pittsburgh during convention
- Hastings Tribune: Furries hold 20th annual Anthrocon Convention in Pittsburgh
A few worth seeing after the con:
- WTAE video: The Making Of a Furry. “Daisy Ruth set the scene outside the Convention Center with April, a local fursuiter who created her own suit, and Camille of CF Studios, an artist who creates and sells creature and fursuits.”
- WTAE – Beyond the Suit: The World of Furries. “Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Beau Berman sat down with ‘Clumzy’ to find out what it’s all about.”
Rika and Rusty.
Anthrocon news topic – Pets.
PGH City Paper: “It probably comes as no surprise, but furries love their pets“. Four furs are interviewed. “Some furries say that getting involved in the community that celebrates anthropomorphized animal personas has helped them become more aware of the needs of shelter animals; understand the emotions of their pets; and strengthen their love of our four-legged friends.”
Anthrocon news topic – “Fursonas” movie.
Post-Gazette: ‘Fursonas’ director takes his Anthrocon ban in stride.
Dominic Rodriguez was banned for breaking Anthrocon’s media policy (filming without permission) in pursuit of unvarnished truth that couldn’t be officially filmed for a documentary. “Fursonas” showed parts that many furries take very personally or feel shouldn’t be suppressed. It was divisive. Some took his movie as undermining good work of the con. Others took his ban as a politicized penalty for PR control that may be stuck in the past. But furry fandom have been around for decades now and it keeps growing. When will sensitivities loosen up?
“Fursonas” screened at an independent venue during the con. I asked Dom if he’s interested in doing a guest post about it. Before his trip, he told me:
“Although I’m banned, I have a feeling this is going to be my best Anthrocon yet. I spent the evening hanging out at the bar across the street and then going over to the river to hang with new and old friends. I go to these things mostly to meet people and have cool conversations. I think that’s more fun than anything they have in the convention schedule, anyway.