what is kin
[ hey anon! Generally, a google search or a bit of research would give you a similar answer, but I’ll but my definition here because everyone’s definition is a tad bit different! ]
* This is important to note! Otherkin / variations DO KNOW that they are human. They believe they may not have been at one point in time, but know that they are 100% human! This is a very common misconception! • With the help of some friendly anons, this has been updated / corrected!• There are many sub-genres of Otherkin, and I will try my best to summarise them for you! [ most of these are generalisations, as there are always acceptions to each sup-grouping! ]
Otherkin: Identify AS, not with, a specific creature / animal / person / etc. Otherkin can be psychological, or at least believed to be such. Not all kin believe in spiritual things! Otherkin is an internal identity – It is not something that can be chosen!Therian: is a lot like otherkin, but is normally more spiritual [ i.e. believing in reincarnation / past lives / etc. ]. Therians are typically “kin” with animals that exist on earth [ i.e. cats, dogs, butterflies, horses, etc! ] Pollytherian / Pollykin: This is someone who believes they had more than one past life / have more than one kintype / theriotype! Many kin / therians have more than one kintype / theriotype!Fictionkin: This is a term used for someone who is kin with fictional characters, such as book, movie, game, etc characters! They often believe that they themselves are a version of this character! Copingkin / Copinglink: Are people who CHOSE to have a kintype, and use it as a coping mechanism. [ unlike otherkin, who do not chose their kintype/s ] These are people who use identifying with a kintype as a coping mechanism - which is not exactly the same as being otherkin, but still tends to revolve within the same community. These people are sometimes misrepresented as having DID ( Dissociative Identity Disorder ) and although some do, this is often NOT the case! Often times, a person uses the ID of their kintype to cope with stressful situations! [ As long as the coping mechanisms of that kin are not harmful, this is accepted. ]  Â
Other-hearted: Is identifying with/relating heavily to/having a deep connection with an animal or character. [ i.e. deeply admiring and caring for a animal/creature, almost as if they were a kintype, though they are not kin!. ]  It is a less-known area of the “kin” community, but is still there! In another sense, those who are other-hearted tend to believe not that they are or were that creature / character, but instead feel that they very strongly agree with that character’s views and actions, and understand their situation.Â
There are other sub-genres, but generally, a bit of research into this can make them self-explanatory! [ i.e. Plantkin is someone who is kin with a specific type of plant, monsterkin is someone who is kin with “monsters” like vampires and werewolves, etc! ] Then, we have trolls. People who like to make fun of others for being kin. Often times these people claim that they actually are physically a different creature! They like to claim that they can physically transform into a different species, which is NOT scientifically possible! Be on the lookout for people who claim that being otherkin =(/=) transgender, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE. Otherkin are NOT discriminated against in any of the same ways that transgender people are, and they are not interchageable things! While researching, it’s very important to look out for people like this!Â
