In a number of studies we’ve asked participants to indicate their sexual orientation. Recognizing that for many people sexual orientation is complex and difficult to plot on a single dimension, we have over time provided additional options (i.e., asexual, pansexual), or changed the way we presented the question to allow more nuanced responses.1 The result of this change was illuminating. In a recent study, we moved from a traditional 7-point Kinsey scale to a simple, categorical approach, giving participants several options to choose from. 
In prior studies, heterosexuality, while never a majority, was always the most commonly chosen option. When participants were able to chose labels, bisexuality emerged as the most frequent sexual orientation, with only about 20% of furries self-identifying as heterosexual. It is also worth noting that other orientations, such as asexuality, emerged as fairly prominent in the fandom, with about 1 in 11 furries identifying as such. In prior studies2 we’ve asked participants to indicate their sexual orientation using a 7-point scale adapted from a traditional Kinsey scale, ranging from “exclusively heterosexual” to “exclusively homosexual” along a single dimension.3 Recognizing that many people do not consider their sexual identity to fall within this single dimension, we provided additional options (i.e., asexual, pansexual, and an option to write in their own option). It should be noted that many of the following analyses using two or more variables, the analyses often require continuous variables and, in such instances, only the data from the 1-7 scale is used. This is not a statement about alternative sexual orientations, but rather, is a byproduct of the type of analysis used and, wherever possible, we present data on other sexual orientations. In some instances, rarer sexual orientations are presented as an aggregate “other” category to protect the identity of those who may otherwise be identifiable for having provided a unique or rare response.
Summer 2020 Survey Responses
- Lesbian, gay, homosexual: 28.8%
- Straight or heterosexual: 10.1%
- Bisexual: 23.4%
- Pansexual: 16.5%
- Asexual: 10.5%
- I don’t know: 5.8%
- Something else: 4.9%
The data in the figure below represent the responses of furries and a non-furry sample of the general American population on the 7-item sexual orientation dimension. In these studies, furries were far less likely to report being exclusively heterosexual than the general population (wherein 90% reported predominantly or exclusively heterosexual as their orientation).5 Furries were approximately 7 times more likely to be predominantly or exclusively homosexual. Not shown in the figure, furries were more likely to report “other” as their sexual orientation (15.0% vs. 2.4%), which included pansexual, asexual, and a variety of self-provided orientations). To summarize, furries are far more likely to be non-heterosexual than non-furries, though it would be inaccurate to characterize the furry fandom as homosexual, as the most frequently-occurring single sexual orientation among furries is still “exclusively heterosexual.”
In a final analysis, the fan groups differed in the nature of the relationship between sexual orientation and sex (that is, people assigned “male” or “female” at birth). In the fantasy sport group and both anime fan groups, females were more likely than males to self-identify as homosexual (as indicated by higher numbers on the sexual orientation scale). In contrast, in the furry fandom, males—not females—were more likely to self-identify as non-heterosexual.
Given that only about 20-30% of furries self-identify as exclusively or predominantly heterosexual, it may be possible that they construe themselves as a minority within the furry fandom. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some heterosexual furries may feel stigmatized or ostracized within the furry fandom as a result of this minority status. Alternatively, it may also be the case that members of other traditionally minority sexual orientations (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer persons) may nevertheless feel stigmatized within the fandom because they, too, constitute minorities within the fandom.
To test both of these possibilities, we asked furries whether they believed that straight and LGBQ people were accepted within the furry fandom (as separate questions).8
In line with our asking of an analogous question about gender diverse people within the fandom,9 we then compared the responses of straight and LGBQ participants to these questions. Analyses revealed that the two groups did not differ with regard to either question: both groups strongly agreed that both straight and LGBQ persons were accepted within the furry fandom, although both groups did more strongly agree with this notion with regard to LGBQ people (6.48 / 7.00) as compared to straight people (6.14 / 7.00). In a later study 10 participants were given a series of questions about acceptance of various sexual orientations within the fandom, and asked to both guess the extent to which the average furry was accepting of each sexual orientation within the fandom, and then to provide their own rated acceptance of each orientation. The data reveal two interesting trends. First, furries’ actual rates of acceptance were considerably higher than predicted. Put another way, furries expect the average furry to be less tolerant of other sexual orientations than they, themselves, are – furries underestimate the tolerance of other furries. Second, and perhaps even more interesting, this effect seems to be largest with respect to asexuality and heterosexuality: Furries believe that other furries are somewhat less tolerant of asexual and heterosexual people in the fandom, despite furries being virtually identical in their actual acceptance of all sexual orientations in the fandom. These data go against the often-held belief among some in the fandom that straight furries are not accepted or are unwelcome in the furry fandom. 
Additionally, we conducted a series of analyses aimed at testing whether there were measurable differences between straight furries and non-straight (e.g., asexual, gay, bisexual, pansexual) furries on a number of different variables. 11 The results of these analyses are as follows (keeping in mind that these are only average tendencies, and do not reflect differences for all straight / non-straight furries):
| They do not differ on… | Non-straight furries… |
| – How long they’ve been in the fandom | – Identify more strongly as furries, with other furries, and with their fursonas |
| – How “open” they are about being furry | – Are less likely to have a “predator” fursona |
| – How much they engage in harmful forms of fantasy (e.g., delusion, excess) | – Engage in more “positive” forms of fantasy |
| – How likely they are to have been diagnosed with autism | – Have a stronger bond with animals |
| – Their satisfaction with their current relationship status | – Are more likely to consider furry a fetish |
| – Their social skills / having problems with social interaction | – Score lower on measures of psychological well-being |
| – Their belief that the furry fandom accept gay, straight or bisexual people | – Believe that furries are less accepting of asexual people in the fandom |
In short, evidence suggests that, in general, people are accepted in the furry fandom regardless of their sexual orientation. While there is sometimes the perception that members of the LGBTQ community are the most strongly accepted members of the fandom, evidence suggests that, while there are indeed significant differences between the straight and non-straight members of the fandom, furries are generally accepted and welcomed within the community regardless of orientation. It may also be the case that the openness and acceptance of the furry fandom may allow people who consider themselves to be exclusively heterosexual to explore aspects of their sexuality they may otherwise not consider in other contexts. Ultimately, future research is needed to explore the nature of these interesting gender and fandom differences in sexual orientation.
References
- Anthrocon 2018 Study
- Anthrocon 2012 and IARP 2-Year Summary
- For more information on the 7-point scale, see Wikipedia: Klein Sexual Orientation Grid
- Summer 2020 Survey
- Anthrocon 2012 and IARP 2-Year Summary
- International Furry Survey: Summer 2011
- IARP 2014 3-fandom study
- Anthrocon 2017 Study
- See section 1.3 Sex and Gender
- Anthrocon 2018 Study
- Anthrocon 2018 Study
You said “Given that only about 20-30% of furries self-identify as exclusively or predominantly heterosexual, it may be possible that they construe themselves as a minority within the furry fandom (in fact, this is not the case, as they still make up the single-largest sexual orientation group within the fandom).” but the charts literally show that bisexuals and gays are literally larger.
Thanks for catching the typo! You’re right! It’s been fixed to better reflect the data. Thanks, again!
I’m a straight furry and I’m a little confused. A lot of people’s say that if you want to be a furry you must to be gay. I love to be a furry but I’m heterosexual. I think that if I am heterosexual I cannot be a furry. I don’t know. You are saying that I can be a furry even if I am straight? Thank you.
“A lot of people say” a lot of things, based on nothing but other things a lot of other people say, do, read, misunderstand, or fabricate. That’s why Furscience is made up of scientists who actually study furries, use real data, and publish actual peer-reviewed studies. Your sexual orientation doesn’t preclude you from being a furry. Start here: https://furscience.com/whats-a-furry/
Some of these are fairly accurate if imma be honest…I’m a straight furry and I love the fandom for its integral components….the art and the fursuits…nothing else and yes, I identify as just a furry […] I feel like an overwhelming majority of furries are LGBTQ, and I felt quite out of place when visiting furcons and meetups or even just chatting with them online, so I’m not quite sure if this is “right” for me. I have left the fandom quite a few times and the process keeps repeating because I simply feel like “I dont belong”…is this common with other straight furries?
As Furscience and others have already stated, one’s sexual orientation has no bearing on whether or not one is a furry. If you are an aficionado of anthropomorphic animals, you are a furry. While furries tend to be LGBTQ+ according to research, a straight (and cis) furry is no less of a furry than an LGBTQ+. The fandom is also majority male, but female and NB furries are also no less furries than male furries.
OF COURSE you can be a straight furry! Don’t let what other people say define you! Anyone can be a furry regardless of sexuality, gender, ethnicity, or religion, because its YOUR choice, not someone else’s. Go furries! 😀
Hi Furscience,
Greetings from Texas,
As someone who is on-the-fence about referring himself as a “furry”, I was wanting to know if you are still conducting surveys on analysis of the furry fandom in regards to sexual orientation? The reason why I’m on the “preverbal fence” about referring accepting the identity of being a furry is because I don’t want to be lumped in with others in the community that blatantly objectify women and appear as sexual deviants. Please take that last comment with a grain of salt. I mean in no way to offend the furry community as a whole. On the other hand, I do enjoy the artwork and the sfw portion of the community.
Side note, I will be providing my sona’s name in place of my real name, for obvious reasons.
Regardless, I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Mike Wesson
Thanks for your question(s), which appears to be commenting on three different aspects of the fandom: sexual orientation, pornography, and deviancy. First, we absolutely are engaged in on-going data collection about furry matters, including sexual orientation and gender identification. These include documenting and understanding the complex and variable experiences of the fandom, which are certainly affected by structural, demographic characteristics. Regarding sexual orientation, we consistently find that about 25% (+- a few points) identify as straight, and the rest identify as bisexual/pansexual, gay/lesbian, or asexual (or are unsure). Regarding gender identity, we see about 15% of furries identifying as transgender/non-binary/agender. Our research shows that furries who are also members of these marginalized communities typically find the fandom a safe place where they can live as their authentic selves regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Regarding the pornography, the vast majority of furries look at furry-themed pornography (e.g., 95% of males, about 78% of females). This is not unusual for fandoms; across fandoms ranging from Star Trek to My Little Pony to video games – people frequently inject sexuality into their hobby (e.g., a sex scene in Terminator, pin-up posters of female characters for video game fans). Our research also shows that people can avoid the adult elements of the fandom if they choose (publication currently under review). Perhaps more relevantly, despite the existence of pornography in the fandom and furries’ liking of looking at it, porn is neither the defining nor main reason for most furries’ interest in the fandom. For about 15-20% of furries, they could probably be considered people who are have a “furry fetish” (e.g., attraction to anthropomorphized animal characters). For the rest, their primary interest is in the artwork itself (erotic or non-erotic) and in the community that’s built up surrounding the community. Furries are going to be considered deviants regardless of how squeaky-clean the fandom was. Even if there were only a handful of porn artists in the fandom, the average person would STILL ascribe deviancy to the fandom because furries have an unusual interest and, in general, when the average person sees someone with an unusual interest, they attribute it to some kind of mental illness or some kind of sexual deviancy. Whether it’s accurate or not, whether it’s morally right or not, this is just what people will do—we’ve done studies that show the more a fan group deviates from an ‘accepted’ mainstream fan group like sport fans, the more people associate deviancy with it – this is true whether we’re talking anime fans, furries, My Little Pony fans, Insane Clown Posse fans, etc…it’s one of the reasons that FurScience is excited about documenting the findings of our research. These stereotypes (defined as a statement of fact that is exaggerated and applied unfairly to the whole group) have been perpetrated in the media, but we are, indeed, seeing a turn in that representation.
My name is A. Bayu Satrio. I am a final semester college student, currently working on a thesis on the furry fandom in general. And I have a question related to one of your reports on LGBTI+ representation, or should I say participation, in the fandom.
In The Fandom documentary that the team participated with Ash Coyote, there’s one scene saying “according to the AC2018 study approx. 80% of furries identifies themselves as LGBT+”.
Regarding this issue, I found quite a difficulty in calculating or explaining that percentage while reading the data given in the orientation section of the AnthroCon 2018 report. This is because when i add the numbers up, they did not match. Since I fear there might be miscalculations on my part, I might require a somewhat detailed numbers and explanation on this part.
Before I end this question, I personally would like to express my gratitude on how helpful the works made by the furscience team as the basis for my thesis. That is all, I expect a quick response from the team, and many thanks for the help.
Thanks for the compliment! Regarding your issue: can you send the link to the specific video with the time stamp of the data you’re questioning?
If I am correct it’s on the 00:44:30 to 00:45:00 mark.
Thanks for the timestamp. Can you send the link to the actual doc in question to admin@furscience.com ?
Dr Roberts is under the impression that she clarified this by email for you. We’re not sure where the numbers you’re citing came from or the context in which they were used, but we typically find about 25% of furries identify as straight, leaving 75% as LGB, asexual, and unsure.
As a matter of fact, I did sent an email regarding this data on sexual preference among furries or AC2018 attendees. But I suppose the “Impressed response” made by Dr. Roberts is enough to clarify the percentage and the answer.
With that said, I must ask the question that might be the reason for the previous question: Why, or how the furry fandom were popular among the LGBTQ+ population and so accepting towards them too?
The data support that conclusion, for sure, but it’s an ongoing course of inquiry as to why this is the case.
I have a question about the LGBT representation. The Fandom documentary said that according to your AC2018 poll around 80% of furry fandom population (or attendees) are from LGBT circle. Where and how did the team got this number? I tried calculating it but could not get the exact figure and bit confused.
I’m Asexual. I had no idea furries aren’t as accepting of Asexual people than I thought.
Well they’re only .1 below everyone else. The study actually proves compared to everyone else we heavily accept a-sexual people. All this really proves is that furries are perceiving unacceptance when actually the acceptance is there, they are believing others aren’t accepting when that isn’t the case, both with straight people and a-sexuals. (Meaning furries are hating themselves for a non issue)
I do not know if self reporting is a reliable way to capture acceptance of others, as I’d expect self report results to always be high. Factors that could bring down real acceptance could include micro aggressions, systemic behaviour and lack of accommodation. Issues like these are brought up in section 12.2, on female acceptance.
If someone doesn’t feel accepted, that is a valid feeling, and also a problem. Fixing it starts with accepting attitudes, but can require more work than that. One example that comes to mind right away, is the lack of female POV media in the fandom.
In your “What’s a Furry?” article (this: https://furscience.com/whats-a-furry/ ) it’s said that “approximately one-third (33%) identify as exclusively heterosexual” while in data it’s seems to be around 22%.
So does the article have incorrect numbers in it or is the data used in the article missing here?
The percentages represent data collected and published at the time, and refers to specific studies which depend on the sample size, year of study, cons attended, participants recruited, length of study, etc., so there is and will always be a range to these numbers. We are in the process of overhauling the Research Findings‘ page once the new book is published based on the latest data sets and analyses. This may help to refine the range. In the meantime, it’s safe to say both pages you reference are correct at the time they were written, by the specific study they were citing to get across the point the overall article was trying to do, e.g., about 1/4 to a 1/3 of furries are…is a reasonable inference from those two pages. I hope this helps, and check back here for any updates 🙂 Thanks!
I checked your Furscience book and in it the percentage is 10%.
Excellent 🙂 As stated previously, all generic descriptions will be revised with the data from the book where possible and appropriate. It just takes time to do that.
I reread this data again (even if it’s still out-of-date), and I think I finally figured out the percentages:
in 2012 up to 33% of furries were straight
In 2018 around 20-22% of furries were straight
In 2024 only 10% of furries are straight
So roughly every 6 years, it decreases 10-13 percentage points.
(which would imply, in case this trend continues, in year 2030 there won’t be straight furries anymore)
And so if my numbers are (at least somewhat) accurate, the quote from “What’s a Furry?” article; “Approximately one-third identify as exclusively heterosexual”, would be around 12 years out-of-date.
That’s an interesting bit of speculative analysis based on differing percentages over time, but the overall question about the fandom becoming “less straight,” as it were, is indeed fascinating; however, there’s probably a lot more to the “trend.”
First, the aforementioned fluctuations are based on sample location specifically, and more generally, as previously stated, the percentages represent data collected and published at the time, and refers to specific studies which depend on the sample size, year of study, cons attended, participants recruited, length of study, etc., so there is and will always be a range to these numbers from study to study.
Second, changes in demographics and generations from society generally to the fandom specifically (e.g., younger generations are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ not necessarily because it’s “more common,” but because the stigma is being lifted from it and/or more folks are encouraged to question what was taken as a given in the past generations).
Third, and very importantly, we’ve changed (i.e., become more sophisticated) in how we’ve asked the question. When you re-read the “What’s a Furry” article, you’ll note that we’d asked it as a Kinsey scale from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual, picked a cutoff point (e.g., above / below the midpoint), and used that. Later, we went with check-boxes (e.g., do you consider yourself to be straight, gay, bisexual). Today, we have a LOT more options (e.g., demisexual, pansexual, asexual, gray asexual, etc.), meaning there are a lot more options for people to choose who might have otherwise been stuck picking “straight” because it was the closest option from the ones available.
It’s probably not any one of these things in isolation, but some combination of them all.
To reiterate, the statistics between the website and the latest book will be reconciled, as soon as time and resource permit, but we also want to maintain the original data, as changes represent not only potential trends, but sometimes just a better way to do the kind of science we’re doing, and that’s a great trend as well 😉
I hope that I was very very wrong with my speculative prediction, and pretty sure I am 😉.
I think you have nothing to fear, for it’s more likely that this is more of a reflection of methodology and societal changes over time since the data was originally collected in 2012. Still, it’s an interesting question. Thank you 🙂