Qmannn said:

I laughed and cringed, joined the Sonic message board that was mocking Sonic Passion, learned one of the many negative definitions of what a furry was, and ended up being a closet self-loathing furry in denial for years despite there being a few openly furry members on that board who weren't stereotypical.

Still in the closet, but not in denial nor self-loathing anymore. I still hate the worst of the furries of yesteryear just as much as I hate the worst of today's bronies.

The best thing you can do for yourself is recognize that you are an individual, and you're only defined by others who share similar tastes if you allow yourself to be.

I remember the turning point in my, uh, "love and tolerance" for bronies being when one approached me in the library while I was studying. He knew me as somebody who watched MLP at the time, and he wasn't wrong - but his mistake was in interrupting my work by placing a Twilight Sparkle figurine on the desk and awkwardly proclaiming "I have a pony - your argument is invalid."

It was at that point that I thought "Wow. People associate me with this guy." I then took a big step back to see the show for what it really was - a kid's show. Well written, entertaining, but ultimately meant for kids.

I know it completely goes against what I first said, and maybe I'm being too judgmental, but holy shit there's only so much you can love and tolerate, you know? Those people who struggle so much to sound like they have an identity, to the point that it's as if I'm talking to a TV show or book rather than a person, I can't stand.

Anyways, like whatever you like. Ignore whatever I say