Dallas, TX
Inside the Dallas furry convention drawing thousands and sparking culture battles
Those strolling around downtown Dallas this weekend might have noticed more tails, claws and snouts than usual.
Inside these flamboyant animal costumes, with cartoonish eyes and plushy paws, are people belonging to a subculture known as furries.
They came from different corners of the world, from different occupations – and as different animals.
Cats. Wolves. Lizards.
Convention guests chat during the Furry Fiesta convention at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Mar 28, 2026.
Jason Janik / Special Contributor
All of them, though, gathered for the “Texas Furry Fiesta.” The convention, held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, drew more than 8,000 furries — people who create an anthropomorphic animal character.
Attendees saw the event as a safe space to connect with others in the fandom, which has long been stigmatized. In Texas and across the country, the group has also been swept into heated battles over gender identity in the classroom.
About 65% of furries have not told any family members about their interest, according to studies conducted by Furscience, a website started by scientists researching the subculture. About 40% felt that the fandom was not socially accepted, according to the studies.
Dallas-Fort Worth has hosted the annual convention since 2009, according to David Brooks, an event spokesperson who is also a furry. The convention was organized by Creature Arts, a Texas charity dedicated to coordinating activities for those interested in anthropomorphic art.
The convention features everything from panels for students applying to medical school to nighttime dances, Brooks said. While the community can interact on the Internet, the convention offers an in-person space.
Attendees buy and trade furry-related items during the Furry Fiesta convention at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Mar 28, 2026.
Jason Janik / Special Contributor
“We have a lot of diversity in our community, ranging from race, sex or gender identity,” Brooks said. “It’s hard to find a space where you can gather together and engage in friendly behavior.”
Inside the hotel, hordes of costumed attendees gathered in halls, waited by elevators and snapped pictures. They poked each other with questions about their outfits, and eyed trinkets at vendor tables.
Benedikt Althaus, who goes by Xariif, wore a tiger fursuit draped in red, white and blue stripes and splotches, reminiscent of the American flag.
This is no American tiger, though: Xariif traveled from Germany. The costume was on the cheaper side of fursuit couture, costing about 2,000 euros (roughly $2300 at current exchange rates).
Xariif poses for a photograph during the Furry Fiesta convention at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Mar 28, 2026.
Jason Janik / Special Contributor
At these conventions, you find friends everywhere, Althaus said.
The fandom has faced controversy, having been tied to sexual fantasies in mass media. For example, a “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” episode portrayed furries as a sexually deviant group. Attendees pushed back on this characterization, saying they are not a fetish community, nor is there an inherently erotic element.
“Most of us are adults. Adult people do adult stuff,” Althaus said. “I don’t think that’s a huge part of this community.”
In 2022, a rumor surfaced in a Michigan school district that litter boxes were being added to unisex bathrooms for students identifying as cats, the New York Times reported. Similar accusations popped up across the country, leaving school superintendents, including the one in Michigan, to debunk them.
In 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott resurrected the hoax during his tour to pitch a $1 billion school voucher-style program, the Houston Chronicle reported. The same year, a bill, called the “F.U.R.R.I.E.S. Act,” was introduced to outlaw role-playing in Texas public schools.
“In some small rural sections of school districts in the state of Texas, they have in their schools, what are called furries,” Abbott told a gathering of pastors in Austin. “Kids go to school dressed up as cats with litter boxes in their classrooms.”
Similar events to the Texas Furry Fiesta have also been the target of violence. In 2014, at a Chicago-area furry convention, an “intentional” chlorine gas bomb was detonated, leaving 19 people hospitalized, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Near Main Street Garden Park, Alejandra Martinez did a double-take when she spotted a tail. Then, another.
It wasn’t a dog, or cat, or raccoon, but people.
While she can’t relate to the subculture, she can relate to the artistry and creativity required of it. At a small market on Saturday, she was selling handmade jewelry and charms for her business.
“If you look at it from a creative outlet, you definitely see, this is actually a hobby they’re dedicated to,” Martinez said.
For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
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