Forget The Moral Panic, Pittsburgh Loves Its Furries

A handful of school boards across the country are causing a fresh stir, alleging a growing number of schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries and only communicate by barking or meowing. Some politicians and political candidates have spread the rumors, including in Nebraska, Texas, and even one south central PA school. 

On the eve of Anthrocon — Pittsburgh’s annual celebration of furry culture — we talk to Xanni Novak, a longtime convention attendee, about what’s behind the fear-mongering and how it connects to conversations about critical race theory and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Also, check out the latest research and writings from Furscience, aka the International Anthropomorphic Research Project, which found 12-19% of furries identify as trans, and upwards of 80-85% identify as LGBTQ+. Researcher Dr. Sharon Roberts says both numbers are trending up:

• “You have all of these marginalized identities that people have struggled with because the rest of the world is nasty about them, or they have been historically, and (furry culture) is a safe environment just for people to be their most authentic selves.”

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