To struggle with the “furry” bullying

[CucumberBagel]

I could really use some wise words. My autistic 9-year-old daughter is friends with some (wonderful) children who are identify as therian. I’m of the opinion that it’s just a phase, special interest, and it’ll fall off. No harm. My daughter is just enjoying wearing a mask and tail and practising moving like an animal (quadrobics). She’s just a kid having fun. She’s home educated after years of struggling to attend school and we’re working to rebuild her confidence.

But my god, the snide looks and remarks from kids of all ages, even adults! Our neighbours teens were apparently filming them out of their bedroom window this morning. I’m fuming for my daughter, who is just a kid having a good time. It hurts her feelings. I’ve spoken to a few of the kids who are saying things and told them she’s just playing and to lay off, but I can’t follow her around like a body guard.

I’m also torn between the whole “ignore / rise above” thing I’m meant to be teaching her, and wanting to give a piece of my mind to every little jerk who thinks it’s ok to make fun of someone for being different.

Any wise words to help me put this in perspective?
(Any rude comments about Therians will be ignored. I think it’s a bit silly myself, but it’s no different to any other phase of self-expression for tweens and teens. Let people enjoy things if it’s not hurting anyone.)

In my POV as a therians its not a fase. Being a therians is an Identity. with the bullying if its in school tell the princable but if its not then I'm afraid you cant do anything about it, its not like being bully'ed makes your daughter tuffer its just apart of life. if she is passion about her identiy and keeps making her mask and wearing her tails and doing her quaddropics then she can block the bully's out.

just ignore them. people who bully others (most of the time) are all bark not bite. If they escalate to physical violence, call the police. It's good that shes doing quadrobics, since it builds strength. I don't understand who other people hate on children having fun

Hi furry here. Being a furry has nothing to do with fetishes. Furries share a special interest in anthropomorphic animals (ex. Mickey Mouse, Simba, etc). Yes, there is a not so child friendly side of the fandom, however, the main part of the fandom is child friendly.
Also, therians and furries are different.

There's not really a safe divide for kids in the furry community. Running around in a costume with other kids is fine, its if this reaches out over the Internet or an extended furry group/meet ups.
I would recommend you search online yourself at the online forums and art websites and make a safety plan if you wish her to continue her interest. I say this from experience and not for malice.

This is a bit hard to read. Are you able to rewrite it please?