the "butch kitty" ponders

[firecat]

I wonder if any academics are studying the intersection between body image and the otherkin/furry/anime fan notion of having an alternate identity as a non-human real or mythical creature (e.g., fairy, dragon, winged cat). To what extent do the mucked up body politics and gender politics of our society drive this, and to what extent is it a helpful response to same?

Comments

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

*nod*. yes, definitely.

i'm not otherkin, but long before i heard of that term i had an internal image of myself as not-human. and long before i read any SF, i'd lay in the backyard at night, looking at the stars, sending out thought waves that "my people" should come and get me because i couldn't stand it here.

"species dysphoria" is quite the right term for it (because i don't actually believe i am an alien looking on the outside just like a human, *snicker*).

though for me it has nothing to do with body image / gender politics in the USian definitional space, being as this was long before i came to north america :). i wouldn't be at all surprised if there were such a connection for others, however.