This post was written for the September 2026 Midway Menagerie, where the theme is "identity and the self".

"Othering"--treating or portraying a group of people as fundamentally different from yourself--is an act of hate. The point is to malign groups you want gone.

It's also a concept I identify with, and I want to talk about that.

I use it/it pronouns, which is similar contradiction; to call someone an "it" is to dehumanize them, often with hateful intent. And in that context it certainly doesn't feel good. But among friends, being referred to with it/it pronouns actually feels affirming in a gender-y way.

I use other objectifying language to refer to myself as well. "Thing" feels pretty good. I like using third-person language in first- and second-person contexts ("How's Lark doing today?"). Also using "lark" as a common noun ("It's a lark!").

It is definitely not obvious to most people how objectifying language could be affirming for me, and for that reason most people are hesitant to use it.

I don't really identify with concepts like therian or otherkin; I don't feel a strong affinity toward a particular animal, object, or concept. It's moreso that my gender goals feel misaligned with humanity in an abstract sense.

Staring HRT^[1] was a critical step in my transition, and one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've managed hit many of the goals I had set out for myself when I started my transition, which feels good. The more time I've spent living in my new body, however, the more I've come to realize there are still aspects of my physiology that don't feel aligned with my gender. But of the various alternatives, none of the options available to humans feel correct.

This is a really weird spot to be in, particularly because in some cases I don't even understand what an ideal state would look like. There's just a vague sense of wanting some secret third option.

My affinity for objectifying language isn't just about my body; it represents a more fundamental disconnect with how humans operate. This is definitely tied up with my neurotype as well--spending much of my life studying human interactions to try and crack the secret code of conventional social norms.

Reclaiming the concept of other is a rejection of humanity, but also an invitation to explore and own my full authentic self.

Relating all of this to this month's theme, I think part of what draws me to furry is the dehumanizing nature of it. I've talked before about how my connection to this community isn't really about being an animal person, but I do appreciate feeling less alone sitting with these feelings. While not universal, wanting to live in the body of your fursona is such a common experience here that I feel solidarity with the community.

I don't really know what I am. I'm not quite an animal, but hanging out with the animal people helps me feel okay being other.