I genuinely don't understand the negative attitude toward Otherpaws that's emerged in the alterhuman community.
Otherpaw as a term was created as a way to create a community for people that didn't experience the involuntary "therian" identity to still enjoy the fun things they saw therians doing without having to lie about their identity and pretend to be something they weren't.
It's similar to the furry community in the sense that it's a hobby, and it's for fun. It also helps us in the alterhuman community clarify the distinction between masks/gear/quads and specific alterhuman experiences.
Some people say otherpaws are "mocking" real alterhumans. This I don't understand as well. Otherpaws find enjoyment and are *appreciating* things that have emerged from alterhuman culture, not mocking it. There are plenty of people that do mock alterhumanity, but the majority of otherpaws just want to take part in some of the fun things that our culture has brought to light.
And really, preteding to be animals, wearing masks, etc is one of the most normal human behaviors, humans have played as and dressed up as animals for thousands of years. There's just a new term for a specific community, giving them their own space because they don't fully fit into the ones we alterhumans have built for ourselves.
I agree with you on this idea. Quadrobics, mask making, and gear have all become associated with therians. A specific model of mask is associated with therians. A lot of these activities are considered "alterhuman." I remember so many people being confused, "fake", or leaving the community after realizing they weren't therian/alterhuman. I personally think being alterhuman became popular on YT/TT because it looked fun.
People were wearing cool outfits, masks, tails, ears, etc. They were doing sports and having fun. They were showing what a nice community they have. I personally, before knowing I was an alterhuman, and doing research, I just wanted to be part of that wholesome, nice community I was seeing in 2023. It made me very happy. Maybe euphoric, even, to see the alterhuman community.
I feel the alterhuman community can gatekeep non-alterhumans from being part of their community, or doing alterhuman activities. To be honest, wearing masks isn't a alterhuman thing only. Nor does it originate from us. People, many years ago, probably wore masks for theatrical purposes. Cosplay probably was invented before alterhumans, or helped the alterhuman community to form. It can't just suddenly be gatekeeped by alterhumans. If I was not alterhuman, and was only a cosplayer, and was told "I can't wear animal masks because I'm not alterhuman" I would be very pissed off. "Oh, you can't be part of the alterhuman community because you're not alterhuman" also just excludes people.
I think we should be less stuck-up, more welcoming, and less gatekeeping.
Well said!
We need to be welcoming to anyone that wants to participate in the "fun" activities our community has given life to!
