squirrely oak

Reblog or comment if interested (or send an ask or DM)! Mainly expecting adults, but We won't turn anybody away solely on the basis of age.

We've been wanting to take this little Nylium Network thing We have and expand it into a general Technology For Alterhumans thing. This is very much just a dream at the moment, no concrete plans, but would anybody be interested in working on Us with this? Some of the kinds of things We're thinking about are:

websites

communication platforms (like Fluxer, a forum, or even some bespoke social media)

game servers

resources for things like tech & information literacy

a newsletter

a dedicated place for listings (for things like new projects, artists taking commissions, researchers looking for participants)

looking into other technologies like prosthetics or VR

(CW/TW: Violence, insults)

A lot of therians have already spoken in about this, me included, but my blood is boiling.

For everyone, especially Spanish people, DO NOT GO, ORGANISE OR HYPE ALTERHUMAN MEETUPS.

The Spanish community, both in Latin America countries and Spain, has been getting a lot of media attention. TV, radio, content creators are all talking about us. Definitely not in a good light.

The content that went viral was created by teens, and it was simply doing quads in full streets, Barking at people and following them... , and while most of us are annoyed at that image, because in the end people confused content with reality, it's been the media that has blown this up.

THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN SHIT TO HIDE THE REAL PROBLEMS: Epstein files, job issues in Argentina or money, housing issues in Spain between others.

The therian community has gotten extreme attention. And it's generated fake therian meetups.

DO NOT GO, ORGANISE OR HYPE THEM UP.

These are the consequences that are happening. This might be a hard watch.

The next images are from BARCELONA, Spain, from 21/feb. DISGUSTING.

I cannot share more videos here and I believe the one from Latin America is the most important one (since it shows the violence) but feel free to ask for any video, I will try to provide all I have!

You can see everything on my Instagram account stories. (@corvidaestar)

THE MEETUPS

These meetups can easily be recognised by shitty posters:

THIS IS DANGEROUS, DUSGUSTING BEHAVIOUR FROM PEOPLE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE AND SCARY.

Please, DON'T go out with gear, please DON'T go to meets.

Please STAY SAFE.

(sorry for adding so many hashtags. I hope you all understand the urgency and danger. I'm sorry for coming back with this.)

EDIT:

It seems it's extending to other countries. Some of which are not spanish-spoken such as Portugal, Italy or France.

Please, BE CAREFUL.

Do not go to PUBLIC therian meetups, even if they're made by a friend or someone you know. Don't wear gear in public unless you're sure it's safe to do so.

Your safety comes first, always.

So today I’ve seen posts on multiple platforms from those living in Latin America saying the news and social media is suddenly discussing therians a lot, in a very negative way.

Something I need y’all to know, based on my experience living as trans for 10 years and being a furry for several as well: DO NOT TALK TO THE MEDIA. You can speak to TRUSTED, preferably independent journalists. Previously center and liberal news media like CNN and the New York Times have taken a steep rightwing shift. Do not go on podcasts, do not talk to tv reporters, etc. It will put you in harms way. You will be taken out of context. They will attack you with premeditated questions to make you look bad, knowing you are not prepared to debate/justify your existence. I repeat,

I am a disabled transgender woman of color, otherkin, pagan clergy member, and civil rights organizer. I have been active in these communities (often in some kind of organizing capacity) since 2005-2010.

I have done numerous TV, radio/podcast, and newspaper interviews. All of them went well because I communicated with more experienced organizers with experience interacting with the media, and because I carefully vetted everyone I spoke to.

A legitimate journalist with good intentions will do research, find community leaders and organizers, and reach out to them directly to request an interview. Which is what happened for every interview I have ever done.

If someone puts out a general call for volunteers, it is almost always because they have bad intentions and they want someone who does not have expertise or experience with the media, whom they can easily make a fool of. No matter who you are or how charismatic or good at speaking you are, it is absolutely impossible to do an interview which cannot be edited to make you look like an idiot. The only way to look good in an interview is if the interviewer wants you to look good. No exceptions.

I have seen it happen numerous times both in the alterhuman community and elsewhere. Not only do people who agree to such interviews always get made a fool of by the media. They also usually get labeled by the community as clout chasing embarrassments who don't have the community's best interests in mind. I won't name names, but those who've been around for a while will be able to think of examples.

The only time it's not a completely terrible idea to agree to an interview is if:

A) The interviewer contacted you specifically because you are a leader/organizer/academic who represents the community.

B) You've done research on the interviewer to find out who they are and what kind of work they've done in the past.

C) This interviewer is a serious journalist who has never done sensationalist media or published an interview with someone who looked silly or incompetent (because if they interviewed someone who looked bad, it is always on purpose. They can make anyone look bad and they can make anyone look good).

D) The interviewer does not work for a media outlet that ever does sensationalist media, or which has any connections to conservative interests (which eliminates all mainstream media outlets).

E) You have spoken to other community leadership who also think you should do the interview.

For what's been happening in Latin America, there have also been multiple news outlets publishing AI-generated videos of "therian attacks"-- there is absolutely no reason to assume that these outlets and others would hesitate to use editing or AI to make you look like a fool at best, or a danger at worst. Do NOT interact with the media unless you are absolutely positive, without a shadow of a doubt, that 1) the journalist you're speaking to is trustworthy, 2) doing so isn't going to put you in danger, and 3) others second that it's a good idea for you to do so.

Public speaking is a skill; do not overestimate your own capabilities! Do not underestimate how negatively a huge public speaking appearance can affect you and your family! I would recommend that 99.99% of all alterhumans avoid ever talking to the media, myself included. It is so easy to fuck up so badly, and the consequences are far-reaching and permanent. Don't do it. Don't let your friends do it. Don't let your family do it.

any community that is seen as "escapism" is not actually an escape for everyone. white alterhumans view the alterhuman community as a way to escape from "the real world" while alterhumans of color have to deal with racism within the community that white alterhumans dont ever want to reflect or take responsibility for because its supposed to be their safe space.

you need to question if your "safe spaces" are actually safe for other minorities. sorry, but we live in a society and you cannot escape the realities of bigotry. you can try and form a community that is not bigoted, but you have to actually put the work in and listen to other people when they tell you you're being a bigot. what may be "escapism from the real world" to you is still a fight to be respected for other people.

please do this if you would like to be part of the alterhuman bible .

- you do not NEED to come out as therian. if it is not safe for you to do so, or you feel uncomfortable, it is by no means necessary. however, if it safe and would make you happier, then please do!

- with this being said, being semi-stealth, at least in public or with strangers, is probably your best option. when you enter adulthood you will need to hold a job, maintain schooling and friendships. there is a time and place for gear (if you use it). you can show your alterhumanity through pins, stickers, and jewelry!

- DO NOT EVER give out your personal information online to try and find other therians irl. the world can be a very scary and dangerous place, and not everyone you meet, ESPECIALLY in places like discord or roblox, is sincere and they may have bad, predatory intentions toward you. i know being alone can feel awful, but your safety is much more important.

- with that being said, there is a high chance you aren't actually alone. go to the closest comic-con near you (with an adult if you're a young minor) next time it's around. you will 100% run into furries and therians and like-minded people and can make friends in a safe environment.

- please do your research on how to properly practice quadrobics. incorrect positioning can lead to life-long injuries like arthritis, pulled muscles, or even broken bones. keep yourself safe!

you are not a freak, a weirdo, gross, unloveable, or broken. most people will not understand you and that is okay, because ultimately, no one knows you better than yourself. ask yourself who you need approval from? will you die without it? likely not. BE YOURSELF and don't ever let anyone shame you for it! i have known i am a therian since i was 8 years old. i was bullied relentlessly throughout school. i didn't fully accept myself until i was 19 and met friends who were like me. i haven't publicly come out because it just makes more sense for me to stay semi-stealth. occasionally someone will comment on my therian pin in public. i have a life partner who loves me for me and would never ask me to change. my toddler and i play "dress up" and we wear tails and ears together.

PETITION FOR MORE ANIMAL EMOJIS!!

dawg.

have you met me?

im genuinely the most annoying being on the planet. your "annoying" will be followed up by 10 minutes of me running around the room, squealing, and talking your ear off about some random shit that has nothing to do with the conversation.

trust, you are not annoying to me.