I know a lot of alterhumans/otherkin/therians etc also exist in furry spaces, and I was wondering if there were any others here? (pun not intended)
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Hiya! Not sure what an alterhuman is, could you elaborate?
Alterhuman is a massive umbrella term to include otherkin, therians, etc. Each of those have varyingly slightly to very different definitions, but the general through line is having a non human identity. Mind this does not mean the rejection of the fact that we are physically human. Rather, on a mental (and sometimes but not always spiritual) level, we feel ourselves to be something other than human. Do note the difference between identify with and identify as. Below, I’ll paste the best explanation I’ve seen from another person thus far.
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"In the simplest definition, alterhuman is identifying as something other than human on a non-physical level. Otherkin is more specific to someone who has a specific identity, like a specific species or creature, though the two may be used interchangeably by some people. Therian is someone who identifies as an animal species that is currently alive on this planet, such as a dog, fox, frog, etc. (paleotherians are those of extinct species).
Three common misconceptions are: 1) we actually believe we ARE that animal/creature/etc. We know we aren’t; we know that we are human. 2) That it’s something we chose. Otherkinity and therianthropy is not a choice. If you choose to be alterhuman, then what would be considered otherlink if it is for fun, or copinglink if it is for coping. 3) That it’s a connection WITH an animal/creature/etc. Otherkin, therian, etc means we identify AS, not WITH. If you heavily connect WITH, not AS, an animal/creature/etc and want to incorporate it into you identity, then that would be considered otherhearted, otherkith or synpath."
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