#'link

𓏲 An introduction to Otherlink, along with debunking claims about the term

Otherlink : someone who identifies voluntarily as any nonhuman or fictional being/thing. What they identify as is called a Linktype. A shortened version of Otherlink would be a 'linker / a 'link. Feeling more like your Linktype on purpose is called being in a Linkshift. Contrary to possible misunderstanding, it does not «fall under being an Otherkin identity» (more about this later on). Alterhuman is the Umbrella term it falls under, which is defined as a person who has a subjective identity which is beyond the scope of what is traditionally considered ‘being human’.

'Linkers commonly 'link with their linktype for one or more purposes that can differ/overlap from linktype to linktype if they have many.

The most common purposes are : for Coping, for Fun, for “Support”(=advantage yourself with one or more of your linktype's qualities, for example being eloquent or daring), and Aesthetically. There doesn't need to be a clear purpose though.

Since a linktype could have many different purposes, many terms have been coined to identify which is the purpose you 'link for! They are: Copinglink ; Funlink ; Supportlink ; Aeslink.

There also exist Otherlink terms that refer to Otherlinking in a what the linktype is way : Fictionlink (Otherlinks who have or more linktype that is a fictional character) ; Plantlink ; etc., can be any word which has “link” as a suffix.

Debunking some things from now on!

𓄴A linktype =/= something an Otherlink relates to in itself. It's a choice to adopt being a linktype, could be influenced by how the linktype could tie with their needs(purpose, for example if the Otherlink links in order to cope with a specific thing) if they do have that kind of purpose. Since it's a choice, you could very well identify as anything you'd like, regardless of how “similar” the linktype is to you!

𓄴 Otherlink =/= Otherkin. Contrary to popular misunderstanding among the people less informed about Otherkin/Otherkind and other existing Alterhuman labels, it is not Otherkin at all since Otherkin means —you can look up Otherkins' posts and the very rich and old history of the term for more info— Someone who involuntarily identifies as something nonhuman and/or fictional.

Though someone could have trouble resolving (or can not care to know) whether or not what they identify as is a conscious choice or an involuntary thing/an inbetween, Otherlink is definitely not Otherkin!

𓄴 This is “just being too much into roleplaying”. Now I saw a post that were strongly invalidating identifying as things(implied voluntarily) because of this very “point”. Roleplaying could be compared to doing theatre and having fun acting as a specific character. Once the plays stop, they aren't the character anymore and probably wouldn't adopt any of the character's traits in their separated life/out of the theatre.

Otherlinking would be more like actually identifying as one of the play's characters (voluntarily you know it). It could be for fun as well, and it could be for however long too. Like with roleplaying, they don't have to relate to the character. However, it becomes part of the Otherlink's identity. It's not pretending to be the character.

'Linking is voluntarily adopting the linktype's characteristics / identity: it affects 'linkers' identity. Roleplaying doesn't play into / interact with the roleplayer's personal identity in the same way since they separate themselves from the character way more(talking about non-alterhuman roleplayers, it's possible to roleplay as your linktype since *it'd be putting yourself into the linktype's shoes and act 100% like them instead of adopting their characteristics along the foundation that your own being were beforehand?*).

So in response to this! Otherlinking = part of your identity and can be taken as seriously/lightly as you'd like. Roleplay = can be important to you as well but (unless Alterhuman or anything else that could come into play) you'd drop being what you roleplay as once the roleplay ends and wouldn't adopt the thing you rp as' traits in possibly everyday/some days life.

It'd be nice if anti-alterhumans/other people who don't try to understand what 'linking actually is and why it's done quit spreading misinformation about Otherlink and insulting their identity with suddenly no empathy. Otherlink is very valid and some's possible shame is a result of this kind of people being invalidating on the daily as they do with so many other Alterhuman subsets they do not try to understand as well, but they do not speak the truth and being Otherlink can be a great help / be great fun and help someone explore what feels true to themselves more.

Terms that I recommend checking out for other kind of identities and experiences that may be similar or linked to this one: Otherkin, Otherhearted / Otherkith, Othervague, Synpathizer(?) / having Synpaths, and Alterhuman.