Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this, it makes sense to me that it was not initially very queer-inclusive, but it's not something I'd ever considered before. It's very inspiring to see the history of queer acceptance's development in the fandom!
I bought the first few issues of Genus Male probably around 2004 when I was figuring out my sexuality. I had no idea it was some of the earliest queer furry comics! Still have those copies somewhere.
It's important to preserve queer history of the entire LGBTQ+ community. I'm seeing some light phobia for sub-groups like furrys form among my gay friends, and I think it comes mostly from a feeling of separation from us.
The 2010's have made incredible strides for LGBTQ+ rights but that also means an entire generation have grown up not knowing the struggle, myself included. Effectively communicating the prejudice everyone faced, how closely tied we are, is important to keeping the LGBTQ+ community united.
That's why your thread is so important, it's sharing our history. It's one thing to have media preserved in places like the internet archive or wherever but that means nothing if it's presence and historical significance is never discussed. I look forward to reading more threads like this.
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Especially at a time like now, where anything “deviant or obscene” is under attack by the US gov’t, this history is important to remember.
I bought the first few issues of Genus Male probably around 2004 when I was figuring out my sexuality. I had no idea it was some of the earliest queer furry comics! Still have those copies somewhere.