Wikipedia defines: "Otherkin are a community of people who see themselves as partially or entirely non-human, contending that they are, in spirit if not in body, not human." A few examples of otherkin that I've come across are dragonkin and other mythical creatures, those that identify as plants, those that identify as domestic animals, those that identify as cars and other technologies, and even those who identify as copyrighted creatures such as Homestuck trolls and Avatar's Na'vi.
How do you feel about otherkin? Do you support them? Are you an otherkin?
How do you feel about otherkin?
Invited: All users.
Discussion Topics
1.
How do you feel about otherkin?
(55 posts)
I'm including many options to try and cover as many opinions that I can think of that someone may have.
The poll will be multiple-choice and private.
The poll will be multiple-choice and private.
03/18/2012
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Eh, I'm not sure how I feel about them, at least the ones who feel that their souls or spirits are literally nonhuman as opposed to simply "identifying" as such. My stance is that the precise nature of the soul is unknowable to living things, so I can't really argue against someone believing their souls to be nonhuman. On the other hand, by the same logic, how can they know what their soul is really like if it's an unknowable thing?
But it's all speculation. Someone declaring this is going to come off as a bit strange to me (my apologies to any otherkin who may be present here on Eden - I don't intend to offend), but we're all entitled to our beliefs, and so far this is one topic that can't be scientifically disputed anyway.
But it's all speculation. Someone declaring this is going to come off as a bit strange to me (my apologies to any otherkin who may be present here on Eden - I don't intend to offend), but we're all entitled to our beliefs, and so far this is one topic that can't be scientifically disputed anyway.
03/18/2012
Hey, different strokes for different folks, but I don't know how seriously I could take someone who earnestly believed they were a unicorn.
03/18/2012
As long as what you do doesn't hurt other people or yourself I don't care what you do. I'll support anyone in anything because I would expect the same.
03/18/2012
I think it's cool, actually.
03/18/2012
To each, his/her own. I am all for every individual making his/her own choices and having his/her own beliefs, as long as they do not hurt anyone or try to shove them on others.
03/19/2012
I agree, to each their own.
03/19/2012
I think they may take themselves too seriously but whatever makes them happy, they are not hurting anyone
03/19/2012
I don't really mind what other people do or believe, as long as they aren't hurting me.
03/19/2012
Whatever works for them.
03/19/2012
im too much of a realistic person
if you tryed to explain this to me I would most likely look at you with a confused face.
if you tryed to explain this to me I would most likely look at you with a confused face.
03/19/2012
I don't care what other people believe. You can believe anything as long as it is not harmful
03/19/2012
Honestly whatever makes them feel most comfortable is fine with me. It's never been an issue in my life so I don't think it would bother me.
03/19/2012
Okay with me.
03/19/2012
I support them in the sense that I would never want to see harm come to them, I will refer to them in whatever way they want to be treated (Like, if someone wanted me to refer to them as a dragon, I would probably do it regardless of whether or not I believed them personally or believed that the species existed.), and I feel that they shouldn't be discriminated against or anything.
That said, I really don't understand them very well or what it feels like to be otherkin so I feel like I can't call myself a full-blown "supporter" yet even though I have nothing against them. I am curious about the whole thing. The only time otherkin people piss me off is when a minority of them compares their problems with that of a larger group that faces wide-scale problems as if they are the same (Not just in comparison, that's totally fair.). I don't deny that if they're "out" about their identity they probably face a lot of crap for it, but it isn't like a large group of people out there knows about them, hates them for who they are, and is trying to pass laws against their happiness. I don't see otherkin people saying stuff like this often at all though.
tl;dr I respect respectful, honest people and that goes for everything including religious identities, et cetera.
And if anyone wants to link me to some resources by otherkin people on what it's actually like to live that way, that would be really cool.
That said, I really don't understand them very well or what it feels like to be otherkin so I feel like I can't call myself a full-blown "supporter" yet even though I have nothing against them. I am curious about the whole thing. The only time otherkin people piss me off is when a minority of them compares their problems with that of a larger group that faces wide-scale problems as if they are the same (Not just in comparison, that's totally fair.). I don't deny that if they're "out" about their identity they probably face a lot of crap for it, but it isn't like a large group of people out there knows about them, hates them for who they are, and is trying to pass laws against their happiness. I don't see otherkin people saying stuff like this often at all though.
tl;dr I respect respectful, honest people and that goes for everything including religious identities, et cetera.
And if anyone wants to link me to some resources by otherkin people on what it's actually like to live that way, that would be really cool.
03/19/2012
Quote:
I am with you on this 100%. I am sorry but otherkin do NOT face the same amount/kind of issues that, for example, the gay community or minorities do. There are no laws keeping otherkins from getting married and there are no mass groups out to kill them. I'm sure they get made fun of a lot and not taken seriously but that's an entirely different issue. Admittedly, I do not know much about them but what I do know, about them not facing the same hatred as the LGBT community and others, is definitely true.
Originally posted by
GONE!
I support them in the sense that I would never want to see harm come to them, I will refer to them in whatever way they want to be treated (Like, if someone wanted me to refer to them as a dragon, I would probably do it regardless of whether or not I
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more
I support them in the sense that I would never want to see harm come to them, I will refer to them in whatever way they want to be treated (Like, if someone wanted me to refer to them as a dragon, I would probably do it regardless of whether or not I believed them personally or believed that the species existed.), and I feel that they shouldn't be discriminated against or anything.
That said, I really don't understand them very well or what it feels like to be otherkin so I feel like I can't call myself a full-blown "supporter" yet even though I have nothing against them. I am curious about the whole thing. The only time otherkin people piss me off is when a minority of them compares their problems with that of a larger group that faces wide-scale problems as if they are the same (Not just in comparison, that's totally fair.). I don't deny that if they're "out" about their identity they probably face a lot of crap for it, but it isn't like a large group of people out there knows about them, hates them for who they are, and is trying to pass laws against their happiness. I don't see otherkin people saying stuff like this often at all though.
tl;dr I respect respectful, honest people and that goes for everything including religious identities, et cetera.
And if anyone wants to link me to some resources by otherkin people on what it's actually like to live that way, that would be really cool. less
That said, I really don't understand them very well or what it feels like to be otherkin so I feel like I can't call myself a full-blown "supporter" yet even though I have nothing against them. I am curious about the whole thing. The only time otherkin people piss me off is when a minority of them compares their problems with that of a larger group that faces wide-scale problems as if they are the same (Not just in comparison, that's totally fair.). I don't deny that if they're "out" about their identity they probably face a lot of crap for it, but it isn't like a large group of people out there knows about them, hates them for who they are, and is trying to pass laws against their happiness. I don't see otherkin people saying stuff like this often at all though.
tl;dr I respect respectful, honest people and that goes for everything including religious identities, et cetera.
And if anyone wants to link me to some resources by otherkin people on what it's actually like to live that way, that would be really cool. less
03/19/2012
dont effect my life, sucks if youre in america though
03/19/2012
LGBT people face discrimination because who they are is public. If you're a lesbian, people will see that you're dating girls or marrying a girl. If you're trans, you probably have a period of time where you're not able to pass, or where the gender on your legal ID doesn't match who you are.
If you have a mental thing going on though, that doesn't have to be a public thing. If you're a dragonkin who only dates dragonkin, that isn't really going to show up to anyone else. Sure, if you want to tell everyone that you're really a dragon, they'll probably not take you seriously, but that's something that everyone faces when they reveal themselves. You aren't going to find laws stopping you from marrying other dragonkin or having your dragonkin spouse at your bedside at the hospital or anything.
I'm not sure I can really take it seriously though. Gender dysphoria is understandable from a biological viewpoint. There are lots of factors that go into making a baby male or female, and sometimes the brain gets one set of instructions and the body another. But where would species dysphoria come from? Where would the brain get a set of instructions to be a dragon or an alien? And it certainly couldn't have gotten instructions to be a copyrighted creature that didn't exist until a few years ago.
Currently my personal motto is this quote by Oscar Wilde: "I have no objection to anyone’s sex life as long as they don’t practice it in the street and frighten the horses." I feel the same way about anyone's mental or spiritual life. Whatever gets you off, ya know?
If you have a mental thing going on though, that doesn't have to be a public thing. If you're a dragonkin who only dates dragonkin, that isn't really going to show up to anyone else. Sure, if you want to tell everyone that you're really a dragon, they'll probably not take you seriously, but that's something that everyone faces when they reveal themselves. You aren't going to find laws stopping you from marrying other dragonkin or having your dragonkin spouse at your bedside at the hospital or anything.
I'm not sure I can really take it seriously though. Gender dysphoria is understandable from a biological viewpoint. There are lots of factors that go into making a baby male or female, and sometimes the brain gets one set of instructions and the body another. But where would species dysphoria come from? Where would the brain get a set of instructions to be a dragon or an alien? And it certainly couldn't have gotten instructions to be a copyrighted creature that didn't exist until a few years ago.
Currently my personal motto is this quote by Oscar Wilde: "I have no objection to anyone’s sex life as long as they don’t practice it in the street and frighten the horses." I feel the same way about anyone's mental or spiritual life. Whatever gets you off, ya know?
03/19/2012
Well, in my opinion some of them are serious about it, and some of them are just plain goofy...
I do think that everybody has a personality related to a specific animal, my Totem is the Wolf, I know that I am very much like a Wolf, so in that manner... Is it called otherkin too?
(If you have to define such a thing I am more attracted to the concept of therianthropy, because it is related more to the spiritual/magickal practices with/of animal spirits... ^^)
I do think that everybody has a personality related to a specific animal, my Totem is the Wolf, I know that I am very much like a Wolf, so in that manner... Is it called otherkin too?
(If you have to define such a thing I am more attracted to the concept of therianthropy, because it is related more to the spiritual/magickal practices with/of animal spirits... ^^)
03/19/2012
I had never heard of it before this post.
03/19/2012
As a big giant queer, I know how shitty it feels for other people to trivialize or doubt my identity. I wouldn't do the same to others.
And frankly, for the skeptics out there, it takes way more energy to be skeptical than it does to shrug and say, "Well good for you."
And frankly, for the skeptics out there, it takes way more energy to be skeptical than it does to shrug and say, "Well good for you."
03/19/2012
Quote:
I am with you on this one.
Originally posted by
DeliciousSurprise
Hey, different strokes for different folks, but I don't know how seriously I could take someone who earnestly believed they were a unicorn.
I don't think they face the same issues as LGBT community.
03/19/2012
if they aren't hurting themselves or others, then have at it! Until I meet one, I cannot comment on anything else.
03/19/2012
Quote:
Quite frankly I find it offensive to compare these individuals with the LGBT fight.
Originally posted by
Nazaress
I'm including many options to try and cover as many opinions that I can think of that someone may have.
The poll will be multiple-choice and private.
The poll will be multiple-choice and private.
03/19/2012
@Silverdrop, great Oscar Wilde quote.
I've never known anyone personally who has identified as otherkin, so it's a new term for me (though the concept isn't totally new). And while I think it is easy to be dismissive/skeptical of something like this I think there are people out there who legitimately feel this way and I'm totally fine with that.
Regardless of their identity, though, I think they face a very different set of challenges than LGBTQ folks.
I've never known anyone personally who has identified as otherkin, so it's a new term for me (though the concept isn't totally new). And while I think it is easy to be dismissive/skeptical of something like this I think there are people out there who legitimately feel this way and I'm totally fine with that.
Regardless of their identity, though, I think they face a very different set of challenges than LGBTQ folks.
03/19/2012
From a biological standpoint, I don't know how much I take them seriously. But I strongly believe that anyone and everyone should be free to identify as they wish.
03/19/2012
Quote:
This is a great post. I'm going to have to agree with you. Not to be stereotypical but I'm relatively sure that the only votes saying that otherkin face the same discrimination are FROM otherkin. A lot of the otherkin I've encountered have been straight, white, cis-people. If ever there were a group that were NOT discriminated against, it would be them. The women, yes, have to face more discrimination than the men but in NO way do white people or straight people (otherkin or otherwise) face nearly the same amount or type of discrimination as the LGBT community and PoC.
Originally posted by
Silverdrop
LGBT people face discrimination because who they are is public. If you're a lesbian, people will see that you're dating girls or marrying a girl. If you're trans, you probably have a period of time where you're not able to pass, or
...
more
LGBT people face discrimination because who they are is public. If you're a lesbian, people will see that you're dating girls or marrying a girl. If you're trans, you probably have a period of time where you're not able to pass, or where the gender on your legal ID doesn't match who you are.
If you have a mental thing going on though, that doesn't have to be a public thing. If you're a dragonkin who only dates dragonkin, that isn't really going to show up to anyone else. Sure, if you want to tell everyone that you're really a dragon, they'll probably not take you seriously, but that's something that everyone faces when they reveal themselves. You aren't going to find laws stopping you from marrying other dragonkin or having your dragonkin spouse at your bedside at the hospital or anything.
I'm not sure I can really take it seriously though. Gender dysphoria is understandable from a biological viewpoint. There are lots of factors that go into making a baby male or female, and sometimes the brain gets one set of instructions and the body another. But where would species dysphoria come from? Where would the brain get a set of instructions to be a dragon or an alien? And it certainly couldn't have gotten instructions to be a copyrighted creature that didn't exist until a few years ago.
Currently my personal motto is this quote by Oscar Wilde: "I have no objection to anyone’s sex life as long as they don’t practice it in the street and frighten the horses." I feel the same way about anyone's mental or spiritual life. Whatever gets you off, ya know? less
If you have a mental thing going on though, that doesn't have to be a public thing. If you're a dragonkin who only dates dragonkin, that isn't really going to show up to anyone else. Sure, if you want to tell everyone that you're really a dragon, they'll probably not take you seriously, but that's something that everyone faces when they reveal themselves. You aren't going to find laws stopping you from marrying other dragonkin or having your dragonkin spouse at your bedside at the hospital or anything.
I'm not sure I can really take it seriously though. Gender dysphoria is understandable from a biological viewpoint. There are lots of factors that go into making a baby male or female, and sometimes the brain gets one set of instructions and the body another. But where would species dysphoria come from? Where would the brain get a set of instructions to be a dragon or an alien? And it certainly couldn't have gotten instructions to be a copyrighted creature that didn't exist until a few years ago.
Currently my personal motto is this quote by Oscar Wilde: "I have no objection to anyone’s sex life as long as they don’t practice it in the street and frighten the horses." I feel the same way about anyone's mental or spiritual life. Whatever gets you off, ya know? less
03/19/2012
i'd not heard of this before now. i think i'd be more likely to support.
03/19/2012
Quote:
Very true.
Originally posted by
Positwist
As a big giant queer, I know how shitty it feels for other people to trivialize or doubt my identity. I wouldn't do the same to others.
And frankly, for the skeptics out there, it takes way more energy to be skeptical than it does to shrug ... more
And frankly, for the skeptics out there, it takes way more energy to be skeptical than it does to shrug ... more
As a big giant queer, I know how shitty it feels for other people to trivialize or doubt my identity. I wouldn't do the same to others.
And frankly, for the skeptics out there, it takes way more energy to be skeptical than it does to shrug and say, "Well good for you." less
And frankly, for the skeptics out there, it takes way more energy to be skeptical than it does to shrug and say, "Well good for you." less
03/19/2012
Quote:
You make a lot of sense. (And the Oscar Wilde quote was quite apropos)
Originally posted by
Silverdrop
LGBT people face discrimination because who they are is public. If you're a lesbian, people will see that you're dating girls or marrying a girl. If you're trans, you probably have a period of time where you're not able to pass, or
...
more
LGBT people face discrimination because who they are is public. If you're a lesbian, people will see that you're dating girls or marrying a girl. If you're trans, you probably have a period of time where you're not able to pass, or where the gender on your legal ID doesn't match who you are.
If you have a mental thing going on though, that doesn't have to be a public thing. If you're a dragonkin who only dates dragonkin, that isn't really going to show up to anyone else. Sure, if you want to tell everyone that you're really a dragon, they'll probably not take you seriously, but that's something that everyone faces when they reveal themselves. You aren't going to find laws stopping you from marrying other dragonkin or having your dragonkin spouse at your bedside at the hospital or anything.
I'm not sure I can really take it seriously though. Gender dysphoria is understandable from a biological viewpoint. There are lots of factors that go into making a baby male or female, and sometimes the brain gets one set of instructions and the body another. But where would species dysphoria come from? Where would the brain get a set of instructions to be a dragon or an alien? And it certainly couldn't have gotten instructions to be a copyrighted creature that didn't exist until a few years ago.
Currently my personal motto is this quote by Oscar Wilde: "I have no objection to anyone’s sex life as long as they don’t practice it in the street and frighten the horses." I feel the same way about anyone's mental or spiritual life. Whatever gets you off, ya know? less
If you have a mental thing going on though, that doesn't have to be a public thing. If you're a dragonkin who only dates dragonkin, that isn't really going to show up to anyone else. Sure, if you want to tell everyone that you're really a dragon, they'll probably not take you seriously, but that's something that everyone faces when they reveal themselves. You aren't going to find laws stopping you from marrying other dragonkin or having your dragonkin spouse at your bedside at the hospital or anything.
I'm not sure I can really take it seriously though. Gender dysphoria is understandable from a biological viewpoint. There are lots of factors that go into making a baby male or female, and sometimes the brain gets one set of instructions and the body another. But where would species dysphoria come from? Where would the brain get a set of instructions to be a dragon or an alien? And it certainly couldn't have gotten instructions to be a copyrighted creature that didn't exist until a few years ago.
Currently my personal motto is this quote by Oscar Wilde: "I have no objection to anyone’s sex life as long as they don’t practice it in the street and frighten the horses." I feel the same way about anyone's mental or spiritual life. Whatever gets you off, ya know? less
I know nothing about this phenomenon. So, I really have little to nothing to say about it.
But, no, I don't think whatever they are, they face the same challenge as GLBT people do.
But, I wish no one any harm.
03/19/2012
While I am someone who tries super hard not to judge people, I still find it a bit hard to take some of them seriously. If they bring it up casually and don't make a big deal out of it I'm much less likely to have to struggle to accept them than if they're a 12 year old girl blogging about how she's a wolf in her soul.
But for real, to each their own. Do what makes you happy.
But for real, to each their own. Do what makes you happy.
03/19/2012
Delusions of yourself (either grandiose or not) are a psychological condition. For example, if someone thought they were a dragon, I would not want them trying to transform in mid-jump off a building. As long as it is fairly mild though, they would not need medication but I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist for help or just monitoring.
04/15/2012
Quote:
I don't really care either way.
Originally posted by
Nazaress
I'm including many options to try and cover as many opinions that I can think of that someone may have.
The poll will be multiple-choice and private.
The poll will be multiple-choice and private.
04/27/2012
I've never heard about the term before today, so another grain of knowledge learned! Now that I read up on them, they seem to be rather interesting people.
04/27/2012
Quote:
The problem I have with this line of thinking is that homosexuality used to be in the DSM as a mental illness, and all of the illnesses it still catalogs are only measures of how far outside the norm for a specific culture a person's behavior or way of thinking falls. None of the otherkin I know are out of touch with reality in such a way that those who identify with winged creatures think they can fly, and none of them have impaired functioning on any level that can't more adequately be explained by run-of-the-mill clinical depression, often due to the same circumstances that cause depression in non-otherkin.
Originally posted by
Hallmar82
Delusions of yourself (either grandiose or not) are a psychological condition. For example, if someone thought they were a dragon, I would not want them trying to transform in mid-jump off a building. As long as it is fairly mild though, they would
...
more
Delusions of yourself (either grandiose or not) are a psychological condition. For example, if someone thought they were a dragon, I would not want them trying to transform in mid-jump off a building. As long as it is fairly mild though, they would not need medication but I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist for help or just monitoring.
less
04/28/2012
I've never even heard of that until now.
04/28/2012
Quote:
I have a question. GLBT people have always been with us. They have been seen in historical documents from the ancient Greek and Romans and Egyptians, to ancient Hawaiians, to ancient central Americans etc. There has been shown physiological and neurological differences in GLBT people that prove it is an inborn trait.
Originally posted by
Raigne
The problem I have with this line of thinking is that homosexuality used to be in the DSM as a mental illness, and all of the illnesses it still catalogs are only measures of how far outside the norm for a specific culture a person's behavior or
...
more
The problem I have with this line of thinking is that homosexuality used to be in the DSM as a mental illness, and all of the illnesses it still catalogs are only measures of how far outside the norm for a specific culture a person's behavior or way of thinking falls. None of the otherkin I know are out of touch with reality in such a way that those who identify with winged creatures think they can fly, and none of them have impaired functioning on any level that can't more adequately be explained by run-of-the-mill clinical depression, often due to the same circumstances that cause depression in non-otherkin.
less
Where are the "otherkins" in history? Are they mentioned in ancient texts? Does the medical community know about them, has there been decades or centuries of horror of "treatments" as there has been for Gay and Lesbian people?
I'm getting the impression this is a new phenomenon, probably a result of things like anime, video games, comic books etc. I could be wrong. But, if it were an actual physiological phenomenon, wouldn't we have seen it, at least in the margins, throughout history?
I'm just asking, because I don't know. But, I do know history, and I've never seen such a thing mentioned except for "changelings" in Fairy Tales.
04/28/2012
Quote:
Shamans in various cultures can be chosen because of a hereditary link, but usually it is someone gifted chosen to study under whoever the current shaman is. The shaman is someone who possesses a link to the spirit world, the animal world, the gods, mythical figures, etc. The same is true of mediums, oracles, spirit healers, magicians, prophets and priests. The thing that separates today's otherkin with these people in my mind is that they lack a cultural context. We're divorced from that kind of mythological thinking outside of organized religion. Where they may have been classed as gifted in the past, today they are stigmatized as being abnormal. It's far more common in my experience to find ones that identify as reincarnations, succubi, angels, elves, fae, etc. than to find ones who identify as a specific thing out of pop culture.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I have a question. GLBT people have always been with us. They have been seen in historical documents from the ancient Greek and Romans and Egyptians, to ancient Hawaiians, to ancient central Americans etc. There has been shown physiological and
...
more
I have a question. GLBT people have always been with us. They have been seen in historical documents from the ancient Greek and Romans and Egyptians, to ancient Hawaiians, to ancient central Americans etc. There has been shown physiological and neurological differences in GLBT people that prove it is an inborn trait.
Where are the "otherkins" in history? Are they mentioned in ancient texts? Does the medical community know about them, has there been decades or centuries of horror of "treatments" as there has been for Gay and Lesbian people?
I'm getting the impression this is a new phenomenon, probably a result of things like anime, video games, comic books etc. I could be wrong. But, if it were an actual physiological phenomenon, wouldn't we have seen it, at least in the margins, throughout history?
I'm just asking, because I don't know. But, I do know history, and I've never seen such a thing mentioned except for "changelings" in Fairy Tales. less
Where are the "otherkins" in history? Are they mentioned in ancient texts? Does the medical community know about them, has there been decades or centuries of horror of "treatments" as there has been for Gay and Lesbian people?
I'm getting the impression this is a new phenomenon, probably a result of things like anime, video games, comic books etc. I could be wrong. But, if it were an actual physiological phenomenon, wouldn't we have seen it, at least in the margins, throughout history?
I'm just asking, because I don't know. But, I do know history, and I've never seen such a thing mentioned except for "changelings" in Fairy Tales. less
Mind you that's just my view on it.
04/28/2012
I don't identify as otherkin at this moment in my life, but I support them. I think people should live life how they want, and as long as they're not offending anyone or any group of people (seriously offending), then I see no problem with it.
04/28/2012
I was wondering when a thread about Otherkin/Fictionkin/St arkin/TransFat/Transra ce individuals would pop up!
I hope I don't sound overly offensive here, so I'll try to explain my answer carefully (AKA warning: super long post ahead).
I do not believe that Otherkin are actually what they feel or claim to be, but in some cases it is clear that they do strongly feel this way. I take them seriously in that I do believe they feel trapped in the wrong species, but I do not think that it is what they are actually suffering from.
I find 'kin extremely fascinating. I follow a number of 'kin-friendly blogs, somewhat for the lols but also because I find their stories of self-discovery incredibly interesting! I could read about their experiences for days. It's very cool how phenomena like this spread, and how far back they can be traced.
I feel really bad for many 'kin individuals because they seem very sad. Often they seem to have a rough time with their family and peers even without their 'other' identity, and the sense of belonging they get in the 'kin community is a great, stabilizing thing! I know a few people who have really become much more happy after connecting with some of the blogs I follow and befriending people who feel similar to themselves.
I do not believe that Otherkin experience the same discrimination as LGBTQ individuals. Although one argument is that 'kin are not as widespread or numerous, I can think of dozens of examples of LGBTQ people being beaten, killed, and raped because of their orientation, and exactly zero deaths caused by anti-'kin hate crime.
Also, while Otherkin are at least slightly realistic, Fictionkin/Fictives (individuals who believe they are fictional characters such as Sherlock Holmes or KITT) and especially Starkin (those who believe that they are celebrities such as Tom Cruise) are at best pathetic and at worst disturbing. If they truly feel that way, I think that they need to seek professional help. Some of them seem to be very kind and decent people, but I cannot suspend my disbelief enough to support their delusions.
Transrace (is that the term? I forget, it's been a while since I've seen any of them) people are in my experience simply offensive and/or ignorant, using their "true race" to validate cultural appropriation and special treatment.
To finish off, I'd just like to make it clear that I in no way support the trolling of 'kin! While I do sometimes giggle at some of them, I would never provoke them or contact them with intent to challenge their beliefs. Are they a bit silly? Yes, but as long as they don't cause anyone harm then they should be allowed to do as they wish. As I said, it seems to me that 'kin often have enough to deal with in their daily lives without people online adding to their woes.
I hope I don't sound overly offensive here, so I'll try to explain my answer carefully (AKA warning: super long post ahead).
I do not believe that Otherkin are actually what they feel or claim to be, but in some cases it is clear that they do strongly feel this way. I take them seriously in that I do believe they feel trapped in the wrong species, but I do not think that it is what they are actually suffering from.
I find 'kin extremely fascinating. I follow a number of 'kin-friendly blogs, somewhat for the lols but also because I find their stories of self-discovery incredibly interesting! I could read about their experiences for days. It's very cool how phenomena like this spread, and how far back they can be traced.
I feel really bad for many 'kin individuals because they seem very sad. Often they seem to have a rough time with their family and peers even without their 'other' identity, and the sense of belonging they get in the 'kin community is a great, stabilizing thing! I know a few people who have really become much more happy after connecting with some of the blogs I follow and befriending people who feel similar to themselves.
I do not believe that Otherkin experience the same discrimination as LGBTQ individuals. Although one argument is that 'kin are not as widespread or numerous, I can think of dozens of examples of LGBTQ people being beaten, killed, and raped because of their orientation, and exactly zero deaths caused by anti-'kin hate crime.
Also, while Otherkin are at least slightly realistic, Fictionkin/Fictives (individuals who believe they are fictional characters such as Sherlock Holmes or KITT) and especially Starkin (those who believe that they are celebrities such as Tom Cruise) are at best pathetic and at worst disturbing. If they truly feel that way, I think that they need to seek professional help. Some of them seem to be very kind and decent people, but I cannot suspend my disbelief enough to support their delusions.
Transrace (is that the term? I forget, it's been a while since I've seen any of them) people are in my experience simply offensive and/or ignorant, using their "true race" to validate cultural appropriation and special treatment.
To finish off, I'd just like to make it clear that I in no way support the trolling of 'kin! While I do sometimes giggle at some of them, I would never provoke them or contact them with intent to challenge their beliefs. Are they a bit silly? Yes, but as long as they don't cause anyone harm then they should be allowed to do as they wish. As I said, it seems to me that 'kin often have enough to deal with in their daily lives without people online adding to their woes.
04/28/2012
never heard the word until now
04/28/2012
Still not even sure what that means?
09/10/2012
Are Otherkin really OUT? I've heard of a few in my area. My first response is "is this person serious" but I keep it to myself. I try to learn why they identify as "other". I do have an aquaintance who doesn't label herself otherkin, but bits and pieces of her life that she shares have me thinking, 'kin might be legit. She ALWAYS moves on all fours in her dreams, and she's usually moving fast. Have you ever heard anyone else say that?
I don't know what I believe anymore and I kind of like it.
I don't know what I believe anymore and I kind of like it.
09/11/2012
I think if someone, say, wants to act like a cat, I'm fine with it. However, I don't believe they are actually a cat in their brain and if they are quite insistent on it, it could be a sign of some delusional problems. I have less of a problem with otherkin that approach it from a spiritual side as opposed to making it an "identity." I suppose it's some sort of coping mechanism and if it enhances a person's life instead of causing them to hate humans and put up barriers between themselves and other people, there's no harm in it.
09/11/2012
I think that serious furries count as otherkin as well, those who really think they are part animal. I have always thought I had some fae blood, and never felt wholly human, even as a kid. I have a good friend who is otherkin, a werewolf in a non-traditional sense, and yes, I do believe him.
09/11/2012
I have not even heard about this before.
09/11/2012
I've never heard about this before but my theory is live and let be.
09/11/2012
I know some otherkin but I treat everyone the way I like to be treated so it's not really an issue for me.
09/11/2012
I treat them the same as everyone else, and take them seriously.
09/11/2012
Quote:
agreed
Originally posted by
panthercat23
I've never heard about this before but my theory is live and let be.
09/12/2012
Never heard about this. Im indifferent...
09/12/2012
To each their own, but I have a lot of friends who identify themselves as other-kin, particularly wolves, so I definitely get along with them, though I'm going to be honest here and say I don't take them very seriously.
09/12/2012
Quote:
Caligula could be considered an example of one. He may have been a paranoid schizophrenic or he may not have been, but it does seem that he did truly consider himself to be an Olympian. Probably most werewolves and vampires were otherkin who crossed the line from affinity into straight mental illness.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I have a question. GLBT people have always been with us. They have been seen in historical documents from the ancient Greek and Romans and Egyptians, to ancient Hawaiians, to ancient central Americans etc. There has been shown physiological and
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more
I have a question. GLBT people have always been with us. They have been seen in historical documents from the ancient Greek and Romans and Egyptians, to ancient Hawaiians, to ancient central Americans etc. There has been shown physiological and neurological differences in GLBT people that prove it is an inborn trait.
Where are the "otherkins" in history? Are they mentioned in ancient texts? Does the medical community know about them, has there been decades or centuries of horror of "treatments" as there has been for Gay and Lesbian people?
I'm getting the impression this is a new phenomenon, probably a result of things like anime, video games, comic books etc. I could be wrong. But, if it were an actual physiological phenomenon, wouldn't we have seen it, at least in the margins, throughout history?
I'm just asking, because I don't know. But, I do know history, and I've never seen such a thing mentioned except for "changelings" in Fairy Tales. less
Where are the "otherkins" in history? Are they mentioned in ancient texts? Does the medical community know about them, has there been decades or centuries of horror of "treatments" as there has been for Gay and Lesbian people?
I'm getting the impression this is a new phenomenon, probably a result of things like anime, video games, comic books etc. I could be wrong. But, if it were an actual physiological phenomenon, wouldn't we have seen it, at least in the margins, throughout history?
I'm just asking, because I don't know. But, I do know history, and I've never seen such a thing mentioned except for "changelings" in Fairy Tales. less
Otherwise, yeah, probably priests and shamans of animist and pagan religions, or "witches" with familiars. One of my friends considers herself an elven otherkin, and she is genderqueer, homosexual, and bi-romantic, so it's not just straight people.
09/12/2012
I take no issue with this identity. I do, however, take issue with how some people speak about it, e.g. claiming that they are an oppressed minority comparable to other groups (the worst thing I have ever heard of happening to an otherkin because they are otherkin is being laughed at -- not the same as being assaulted or fired!).
But yeah, just don't be a jerk about it and I don't care what species you consider yourself.
But yeah, just don't be a jerk about it and I don't care what species you consider yourself.
10/18/2012
...I'm not sure what I think of this.
10/18/2012
Total posts: 55
Unique posters: 50