What’s life like for a teenage LGBT furry fan in Iran?
by Patch O'Furr
Fursona of Rastin, a furry in Tehran
The Iranian people seem pretty cool: Just last month, they were doing huge anti-austerity protests. Then they marched with over 1,000,000 to mourn the death of a military leader. Now they're demanding their gov't resigns after killing 176 civilians. https://t.co/2rzzxZ2l5O
— WHITEY OwO BULGER (@Kamunt) January 13, 2020
Governments are supposed to represent their people. Instead they often end up representing a few haves against many have-nots. They might put oligarchy and corporate greed first, or favor theocracy and military power. You can read between the lines of headlines about conflict between the USA and Iran.
But how often do people in both places talk to each other directly, without borders, filters, propaganda, stereotyping, and forced conflict? And when they’re pitted against each other, what could these different societies possibly share in common?
Pizza time! Pizza battle! Which one do YOU prefer?
— Rastin ? (@Rastin_Woof) January 7, 2020
Like loving pizza, you don’t need to speak the same language to love art. That’s how furry fandom builds bridges around the world, and Croc (@Microdile), a California furry, made friends with Rastin (@Rastin_woof). In Iran, Rastin is a 16 year old member of a generation living after the 1979 revolution, which put religion and law together, unlike the way the USA separates church and state (at least in theory.)
For the following Q&A, Rastin used forbidden internet contact to discuss forbidden topics — criticizing authority, the oppression of LGBT identity, misunderstanding by parents, and having fandom that isn’t shared by anybody nearby. His fursona species isn’t even tolerated; dogs aren’t commonly loved pets in Iran. However, what’s more outstanding than differences is the universal desire for creativity and self expression, and wishes to escape to a more peaceful world.
