Thread by @furryvalley

Hey #furry friends! Let's talk about #pride, LGB, LGBT+ and adjacent groups.

In June 1970, Brenda Howard, a bisexual New Yorker, organized the first Pride, in response to the Stonewall raids in 1969.

Her purpose was to express the notion that she - and everyone - should (1/9)

be able to love who she/they want to. She believed that, as long as there is no harm, that no one has the right to persecute or judge another based on the nature of their love.

Recently, a #gay man was bullied out of a #Pride parade because he was wearing a t-shirt of an (2/9)

organization that specifically focuses on LGB rights and equality. This is really troubling and is just one example of a problem I've seen numerous times, not just as a #furry within the #furryfandom, but more widely.

You simply cannot pick and choose. Pride, by definition (3/9)

is deeply personal. We all love uniquely because we all are unique. Much like those who raided #Stonewall in 1969, you have absolutely no right as any subgroup of the #Pride umbrella to attack or promote hate towards any other.

If you don't like some people identifying (4/9)

as part of #Pride, then tough luck. They are not engaging in Pride to make YOU happy/comfortable, they are engaging in Pride because they feel #oppressed, and because they feel proud of THEIR love; THEIR identity.

If you're someone who spams this obnoxious hatred towards (5/9)

ANYONE who is celebrating #Pride, you are the problem, not them. Pride was not made for you to say "well huh, I guess I like those five letters, but not this one, oh, those two are okay, I guess?" like some cheap shopping list.

Let's be real - we didn't arrive in #furry (6/9)

Because we're the beautiful social butterflies that our parents probably wished we were. We arrived here because we're typically a bit awkward, and found #acceptance in this niche #subculture.

And that's okay. What's not okay is attacking people within that, especially (7/9)

to try to get popular. Because let me tell you - you have every single bit as many problems as they do, otherwise you wouldn't be here. Your shortcomings and failings may not express in the same way as theirs, but you're a #furry. #BeKind; accept; be accepted. (8/9)

And next time you see some clout-chasing halfwit on this platform attacking a subgroup/people within Pride/#furry more generally, don't like/retweet/engage.

Because we all have a right to #love. We all have a right to be. Including you. Be good to one another. (9/9) 🦁❤️

Extra credit! Which cute Pride animal picture did you like most? :3