Map Shows States With Most Furry Conventions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Furries have recently faced legislative backlash in Texas, where House Bill 4814 would "prohibit any non-human behavior by a student, including presenting himself or herself, on days other than exempt days, as anything other than a human being."
New convention center data has revealed that Texas is among the states with the largest number of furry events scheduled for the 2025 calendar year.
Why It Matters
Furries are a subculture of people who enjoy dressing up as and impersonating animals, and in rare cases, choose to self-identify as belonging to a non-human species.
Following a "furry related incident" in the Smithville, Texas school district, state legislators banned "non-human behavior" like using a litter box, wearing leashes, collars or false tails, "barking, meowing, hissing, or other animal noises that are not human speech" and "licking oneself or others for the purpose of grooming."
What To Know
Texas has emerged as one of the furriest states in the union, hosting four furry events in one year across several different cities, including Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
Washington, California, and North Carolina also led the community with four conventions each, according to data from a convention aggregator.
Wisconsin has three scheduled, as does Oregon, making the West Coast the most active area for the furry subculture. Twenty-three states did not appear to be hosting any conventions. However, that still means that the majority of states in the union will hold furry gatherings this year.
No conventions were recorded in Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico, meaning that all gatherings were confined to the U.S. mainland.
What People Are Saying
Texas Representative Stan Gerdes said in response to reports of furry activity in school: "I can't believe we have to do this, but we cannot allow these types of roleplaying distractions to affect our students who are trying to learn or our teachers and administrators who are trying to teach. We just have to keep this nonsense out of our schools."
He continued: "I fully expect the subculture to show up in full furry vengeance at the committee hearing. But just to be clear—they won't be getting any litter boxes in the Texas Capitol. They'll have to use the regular restrooms like the humans they are."
What Happens Next
As of May, five furry conventions have been announced across four different states for 2026, in Washington, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Ohio.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Pope Leo Faces First Major Test Over 'Morally Corrupt' Bishop
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Pope Leo XIV is set to face one of his first major tests with a petition addressed to him calling for the removal of Cologne Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki over concerns about his handling of sexual abuse allegations. Newsweek has contacted the Vatican via email, for comment. Why It Matters As the newly elected pope, people will be watching how Leo handles concerns about sex abuse in the church. How the Vatican responds to the petition, which has more than 60,000 signatures, could set the tone for Pope Leo's leadership style and his stance on episcopal accountability worldwide. Pope Leo XIV leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on June 4, 2025. Pope Leo XIV leaves after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on June 4, 2025. AP What To Know Woelki has long been a divisive figure in the church amid criticism of his handling of sexual abuse cases in the archdiocese of Cologne. In September 2021, Pope Francis decided to leave Woelki in office despite massive criticism over his handling of the sexual abuse cases. The pontiff instead gave the cardinal a "spiritual timeout" of several months after he made "major errors" of communication. Woelki had infuriated many local Catholics by citing legal concerns to keep under wraps a report on how local church officials reacted when priests were accused of sexual abuse. He commissioned a second report, and a German law firm produced an 800-page investigation. The report he commissioned absolved Woelki himself of any neglect of his legal duties with respect to abuse victims. He subsequently said he made mistakes in past cases involving sexual abuse allegations but made clear he had no intention of resigning. The Cologne public prosecutor's office had been investigating Cardinal Woelki since autumn 2022 for possible false testimony regarding his knowledge of abuse allegations, according to the Catholic News Agency. In summer 2023, his apartment and offices were searched. However, at the beginning of May 2025, investigations of the cardinal were ended after the payment of a 26,000-euro (about $29,700) fine. The Archdiocese of Cologne told Newsweek: "As is well known, the presumption of innocence public prosecutor's office has expressly confirmed that Cardinal Woelki did not make a deliberately false statement and therefore did not commit perjury." Munich priest Wolfgang F. Rothe, who started the petition on May 26, wrote that "in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse, (Woelki) gravely violated his duty of care. "Against this backdrop, Cardinal Woelki is completely morally corrupt. He has lost all credibility, both in public and within the Archdiocese of Cologne and the Catholic Church in Germany," Rothe said. "Leaders in politics and society do not want to be seen with him, parishes are not visited by him, and confirmation candidates are not confirmed by him." "His behavior is a severe slap in the face to the many victims of sexual abuse and undermines efforts to address sexual abuse in other German dioceses and in the universal Church," Rothe added. In March 2022, after Francis ordered an official review of Woelki's archdiocese, the Vatican found no evidence of unlawful conduct—although it said major errors of communication had been made. It also praised Woelki's willingness to be investigated, the Catholic News Agency reported. What People Are Saying Munich priest Wolfgang F. Rothe wrote in his petition: "Cardinal Woelki is largely isolated both within the Archdiocese of Cologne and within the Catholic Church in Germany. He is a shepherd without a flock. And the Archdiocese of Cologne is a flock without a shepherd." Riccardo Wagner, Head of the Media School at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences Cologne, was critical of the petition in an interview with the Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost. He said: "The platform and the petition act as if sacramental offices could be legitimized or delegitimized by digital public opinion – this fundamentally contradicts the nature of the Church, which is why this approach and means must be clearly rejected." The Archdiocese of Cologne told Newsweek: "For Cardinal Woelki, the end of the proceedings marks the end. He now wants to devote all his energy to the future of the Archdiocese of Cologne together with the faithful." What Happens Next It is yet to be seen how Leo will respond to this petition and what the impact of his decision will be.
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Trump Changes Top Middle East General For Strong Iran Hawk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. has underlined the priority of maritime operations and integrated joint forces in the Middle East with the nomination of a naval officer as the region's top commander ahead of a potential confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program and other threats. President Donald Trump has nominated Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, currently the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), to be appointed to the rank of admiral and serve as its new commander. He has been a strong critic of Iran and supportive of Israel in the past. Only one Navy officer has previously commanded CENTCOM—Admiral William Fallon in 2007—while the role has traditionally been held by Army and Marine generals. Why It Matters Commanding U.S. operations in the Middle East is one of the military's critical roles amid ongoing tensions with Iran and with a fragile truce with the Yemeni Houthis, after the Iranian-backed group multiply targeted U.S. aircraft carriers in response to Trump's airstrike campaign launched in March. Trump has threatened to use military force against Iran if diplomacy fails to achieve a deal to curb its nuclear program. CENTCOM is further engaged in regional security efforts related to Gaza since the war that erupted following Hamas' 2023 October attack on Israel. Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq remain key theaters for CENTCOM's anti-ISIS operations. What To Know If confirmed, Adm. Cooper will succeed commander General Michael Kurilla, who is due to retire this summer. Kurilla, with an army background, has also been strongly critical of Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has endorsed Cooper over Army General James Mingus, the presumed frontrunner, shifting away from Biden administration preferences, The Washington Post reported in April. A fierce critic of Iran's activities in the Middle East, Cooper has repeatedly identified it as a threats to regional security, navigation, and stability. As commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, he played a central role in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational mission safeguarding Red Sea shipping lanes from Houthi missile and drone attacks from 2023. In 2024, he orchestrated the U.S. military's support for humanitarian aid to Gaza, through the establishment of a maritime corridor that boosted aid delivery without deploying troops on the ground, although it faced security challenges and quickly ended. Cooper had visited Israel in January to discuss U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Cooper, a 1989 Naval Academy graduate, holds a master's in strategic Intelligence, studied international relations at Harvard and Tufts, and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. A recipient of the Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Award, he has led Navy ships and crews across key regions, served on the ground in Afghanistan, commanded U.S. naval forces in the Middle East for nearly three years, and led major Navy groups in the Atlantic, Japan, and Korea, including the USS Russell and USS Gettysburg. What People Are Saying Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said on CBS' 60 Minutes in 2024: "For a decade, the Iranians have been supplying the Houthis. They've been resupplying them. They're resupplying them as we sit here right now, at sea. We know this is happening. They're advising them, and they're providing target information. This is crystal clear." Pentagon's press release on Wednesday: "Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced today that the President has made the following nominations: Navy Vice Adm. Charles B. Cooper II for appointment to the grade of admiral, with assignment as commander, U.S. Central Command." What Happens Next His appointment is pending approval by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Newsweek
42 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Rising NATO Ally Builds Its Own Aircraft Carrier
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkey's ambitious naval expansion is taking shape as new details emerged about its first homegrown aircraft carrier, Mugem, now under construction in Istanbul. With design and system integration work ongoing, priority will be given to homegrown aircraft, including unmanned combat drones and light jets, according to statements by Captain Hakan Uçar, director of the Turkish Navy's Design Project Office, reported by Jane's OSINT on Friday. Newsweek has reached out to Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries, overseeing defense projects, for comment. Why It Matters Turkey's defense industrial growth signals Ankara's drive to assert greater strategic autonomy and its importance both within NATO and for the Middle East under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. Turkey's expanding naval and air defense capabilities—including a fifth-generation fighter jet —could also change global defense industry dynamics. What To Know About 285 meters long and 72 meters wide, Mugem will weigh arounds 60,000 tons and should carry up to 50 aircraft, with two runways for takeoff and one for landing, according to a description on the Turkish government's Directorate of Communications' website. The ship will have a flight deck built for aircraft to take off from a short runway and land safely, known as the STOBAR system, according to Jane's OSINT, a prominent open-source intelligence and defense analysis provider. Turkey, a NATO member since 1952, lacks a full-sized traditional aircraft carrier; its largest ship, the amphibious assault vessel TCG Anadolu, serves mainly as a drone carrier but has limited capabilities compared to a true carrier. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense revealed the warship last year and announced the start of construction in January. Turkey is also building a submarine and the TF-2000-class destroyer. Erdogan has established himself as a key figure across multiple geopolitical arenas, with Trump acknowledging and turning to the leader of a longstanding ally, as he seeks to redefine Washington's Middle East policy. Turkey's expanding defense capabilities come amid an escalating rivalry with Israel, especially in Syria where Turkey maintains bases in the north and has set out to leverage close ties with Syrian opposition factions. Turkey is also an important buttress against Russia and has been a diplomatic player on the Ukraine war. What People Are Saying Turkish Presidency's Directorate of Communications in January 2025: "With this project, Turkey's goal of maritime independence and regional superiority is clearly visible. However, as long as foreign dependency continues in critical areas such as power systems and aircraft technology, more time and investment is needed to achieve these goals." Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in 2024, as quoted by TRT World: "We will not stop or turn back from our path until we achieve the goal of a fully independent Türkiye in the defence industry." What Happens Next Turkey will continue accelerating major defense projects, drawing increasing strategic interest from regional powers.
