Welcome to the Alterhuman Connection

Peter Steiner, The New Yorker (1993)

An introduction to the world of non-human-normative identities

Siris Vulpecula

• Nine-tailed kitsune Therian
• Awakened since 1998
• Joined the Furry Fandom shortly after awakening
• Founder of the Virtual Howl
• Admin of various alterhuman groups
• My first furcon was Furality Legends (virtual)
• My first in person furcon was Anthrocon 2022

Art by Amilcaraa (furaffinity.net) for Siris Vulpecula

Disclaimers�

• This presentation is intended to provide a foundation and for the sake of time will not cover all identities or nuances within Alterhumanism, this is in no way a reflection on the validity of these identities.
• The Alterhuman community is fractured and no one person or group can truly lay claim to being the ultimate authority on the subject.
• Definitions of terms are subject to interpretation so may have slight variations from one community group to another. *
• No body can tell you if you are an Alterhuman or not, only you can decide that based upon the definitions of the identities and your experiences.

What Alterhuman is not

• A person who believes they are physically their identity – Often referred to as “Clinical Lycanthropy,” a form of medical psychosis.

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• Simply playing a character – Often Alterhumans can be confused with someone who is pretending or particularly deep in roleplaying a character.

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• A part of the LGBTQIA2+ - Alterhuman identities are not tied to one’s sexuality.

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• Furry – Furries are members of a fandom and hobby not an identity.

Sarahcat fursuit maker family photo Anthrocon 2023 taken by Flink

This is not to say there is no overlap with those who identify as alterhuman.

What is an Alterhuman?

Alterhuman – An umbrella term for a person or entity who identifies non-physically as a being(s) other than human or what is traditionally considered human. These identities can be divided into two categories, Innate Identities and Chosen/Assumed Identities.

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Traditonally Human – A person who identifies as a Homo Sapien entity, physically and otherwise, who is the sole occupant of their body (often called a singlet.)

“Halloween is when our costumes are taken off” from Theri There by Scribner

Chosen or Assumed Identities

Copinglink – A person or entity who chooses a non-human identity as a coping mechanism, often as a result of trauma.

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Choicekin – A person or entity who’s chosen identity has become fully integrated and can no longer be separated from who they are.

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Otherspin/Otherfix – A person or entity who’s non-human identity is created as the result of a hyper fixation.

A “Chosen” or “Assumed” Identity is a type of identity that is a result of a decision made by the entity to whom it applies. It is possible to become these identities.

Innate Identies

Godshard – Often simply shortened to “Shard.” A person who identifies as a piece of a deity. They do not believe to actually hold diefic powers.

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Fictionkin – A person or entity who identifies involuntarily as a species or character from modern fiction.

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Otherborn – A person or entity who identifies as a non-human soul transmigrated to a human vessel.

An Innate Identity is one that is not a result of a decision made by the entity. Often it is considered impossible to become one of these identities, you either are or are not.

Plural – A person or entity who identifies as more than one person in a single body, often referred to as a “system.”

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Starseed – A person or entity who believes they are from or have had a past life on another planet, universe, or dimension.

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Aeslink – A person or entity who has chosen their identity based upon aesthetis. Often considered a subpart of Otherspin/Otherfix.

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Nomorph – A person or entity with an alterhuman identity that is ill or undefined.

Some more Alterhuman Identities

Otherhearted, Animalhearted, and Fictionhearted – A person or entity who identifies WITH rather than AS a non-human creature, animal, or fictional character and/or creature respectively in such a way as to define their identity.

The most misunderstood term in alterhumanity

Hearttype/Kith – The creature, animal, or fictional character and/or creature an otherhearted, animalhearted, or fictionhearted identify with

“I am” – The core sense of self. Can not be separated or partitioned.

Some of the building blocks of identity

“Me” – The sum total sense of self. How one may present as whole.

Otherhearted, Animalhearted, Fictionhearted

Therian, Otherkin, and Fictionkin

And how they apply to Otherhearted

Otherkin and Therianthropes

By far the largest identities in the Alterhuman spaces

Otherkin – A person or entity who identifies involuntarily and non-physically as a non-human creature in entirety or part. The term is derived originally from a typo of the word “otherkind” which was used by the elves to describe those who identified as non-human and were not elves. The identity is often represented by a heptagram also known as the elven or faerie star.

Therianthrope – Often shortened to “Therian,” is a person or entity who identifies involuntarily and non-physically as a non-humanoid creature in entirety or part. Originally called Weres they are symbolized by the “Theta-Delta,” the Greek letters theta and delta overlayed with one another.

Some Types of Therians

Theriomythic – A person or entity who identifies as a mythical creature.

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Paleo-therian – A person or entity who identifies as a prehistoric creature.

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Cladotherian – A person or entity who identifies as multiple creatures within or the entirety of a clade.

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Contherian – A person or entity who lives in a constant state of shift.

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Polytherian – A person or entity who identifies as more than one species simultaneously.

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A Therian can identify as any combination of these and others not listed here.

Some Key Terms�

Awakening – The point at which a person or entity becomes aware of their alterhuman identity.

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*Epiphany – The point at which a person or entity understands what their alterhuman identity is.

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Kintype/Theriotype – The species a person or entity identifies as.

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Shift(s) – Non-human experiences and sensations.

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Howl – A general meetup of therians.

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Gather – A general meetup of Otherkin

Primarily focusing on therian/otherkin

(Species) Dysphoria/Dysmorphia – Distress caused by a perceived mismatch of one’s identity and physical form.

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Gear – Items worn to represent one’s identity such as tails, ears, or masks. Not a requirement for therianthropy but often attributed to the identity by younger members.

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Quadrobics – A form of exercise done on all fours. Relatively recent trend often misattributed to therianthropy by younger members following trends.

Some more key terms

More about “Shifts”

Though common not all therian or otherkin experience shifts. Shifts also come in many different forms and will vary greatly from one person or entity to another.

Phantom Shift – When a person or entity feels as if they either have limbs that do not physically exist or body parts are different than how they physically appear.

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Dream Shift – When a person or entity dreams as their identity.

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Perception/Sensory Shift – When a person or entity feels their tactile sense change to that of their identity. (i.e. A dog suddenly able to smell better)

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Mental Shift – When one’s mental state changes to that of their identity.

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More about “Shifts” continued

Cameo Shift – A shift experienced by a person or entity that is unrelated to their identity.

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Physical Shift – Also sometimes shortened to “P-Shift,” it is physically becoming one’s identity (this is generally considered to be impossible and the subject is often considered a taboo in the community.)

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Shifter’s Disease – A phenomenon where a person researching or interacting with alterhuman identities subconsciously wrongfully associates normal behavior or induces false shifts.

The how and why of Alterhuman identities

There are two theories on the causes of alterhuman identities and most alterhumans tend to believe in some mix of the two. The important take away is no two alterhumans experience their identities the same way.

Psychological

Psychological theory presents that alterhumanity can be explained with conventional science. Examples include:

• Imprinting at a young age
• Differences in mental structure or makeup of the brain

Metaphysical/Spiritual

Metaphysical/Spiritual theory presents that something otherworldly or unexplainable by conventional science is responsible. Examples include:

• Past lives
• Soul-body mismatch
• Parallel universe connections

How do we know?

Like any journey of self discovery all alterhumans go through it at their own pace and in their own way.

Some paths to self discovery are:

• Visions/lucid dreaming
• Meditation
• Deep introspection
• “Soul searching”
• Education
• Daily life

No two journeys are the same and all experiences are valid

By @MeatSuperstar on twitter

Common Struggles

• Dysphoria/Dysmorphia
• A sense of “other-ness”
• Bullying, even from within the Furry Fandom
• Struggle with human norms and interactions
• A feeling of isolation
• Self doubt

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How to support your alterhuman friends!

• Talk about it
• Listen
• Positive affirmations
• Basic validation
• Use appropriate terms
• Treat them with a sense of normality
• A basic simple understanding goes a long ways
• Find activities that promote their sense of self
• Be present

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Why the furry fandom?

Motor City Fur Con 2025

• Focus on animal characters
• Tails, ears, etc. are commonly accepted
• People are generally addressed as their characters
• General acceptance of non-normative identities
• Easier to blend in
• The greater visibility of the fandom means they found it first
• Joining the fandom led to their awakening

Places to learn more!

https://alterhumanconnection.carrd.co – All the associated links in one convenient place!