Best way to explain the Furry Fandom to my parents?
I would really enjoy going to Anthrocon '11, however I am a really young fur. My parents know that I draw and write, so I may just explain to them examples such as "Tom and Jerry" and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and how this convention has many artists and writers. I might also let them know how Pittsburgh has many attractions, and since my stepdad is a fan of the Steelers he may want to tag along. Of course, I would want to go in a fursuit because I am younger so I don't want people to stare. 
The only problem is... my mom loves CSI, and I can almost guarantee that she has seen the episode where they depict all the people in the furry fandom have the fetish. Last year I told her I want to save up for an animal costume, but I haven't mentioned it since.
If she takes it the wrong way, I will show her videos from AC, such as the parade. But I would really like to convince her.
Here is how I may word it: "Hey uhh... Do you know the kind of animals I draw? Like the ones that stand on two legs? Well, I found out about a convention for all ages that is for artists, writers, puppeteers, ect. It's in Pittsburgh, but I don't know if it would be a problem if I could go. You guys might not take any intrest in it, but since I am old enough you guys don't have to follow me around everywhere. They have many attractions in Pittsburgh, and you guys may enjoy the visit. And I do have a cell phone, so if anything happens I could call you. Would we be able to take a mini-vacation in Pittsburgh? It could really help you guys get away from work for a couple days.".
Is this an okay way to word this? Anything I need to add/take away?
Thank you. And I'll be sure to tell her that. I'm just a bit nervous about bringing it up with her. I may do it closer to the next con.
im a young furry too im 16... im planning on going to AnthroCon 2011 too!
the way i explained it to her was something along the lines of: "hey mom, i have something to show you!" i brought her into my room and showed her this website, (after i had read over the stuff on it, that way whatever questions she asked, i could pull up the link right away or know the answer off the top of my head) She thought about it for a while nad said it would probably be alright, and is now willing to help me out making my first fursuit!
That's a good idea. Of course I wanted to construct my own, but I have no intrest in sewing/don't know how. So she may have to help me. But if she still wouldn't understand, I could show her the FAQ.
ive looked up a ton of tutorials and videos and such on how to make them, so hopefully it will all work out the way i want it to! (and accually look good! 
i really hope she understands
Of course, I would want to go in a fursuit because I am younger so I don't want people to stare.
Well, just to phrase it like this: Do you think less people are going to look at you when you're in a giant animal costume?
However, you're presenting it well indeed! Good points made. A couple small rephrases:
"It's in Pittsburgh, but I don't know if it would be a problem if I could go." should be:
"It's in Pittsburgh. Now, I know that might be too far for me to go on my own.", which leads into the discussion of making it a pleasant family vacation.
I'd mention it early, and say "It's next June, and that's a while away, but that will mean lots of time to plan." Initially, don't be insistent; just put the idea in their heads, and bring up the notion some months later.
If you have not been there, you might want to visit http://www.anthrocon.org/faq/minors
That's a better way to put it, Chiaroscuro. Of course I was figuring that there would be many other fursuiters. ^.^;
And I've read it all over, it would help if I showed that to them.
The thing you thought about saying to your parents sounds great. Also great advice from the others on how to put things.
I was going to suggest describing it as a great community of like-minded artists.
This is just a thought that sprang into my head, not very well-formed, but regarding that CSI stuff: I think you mentioned your mom is away at a work conference herself now? Maybe lead into it like that. Now I don't know your mom's line of work, but just as a for-instance let's say it's in the health-care field. From what I've seen on the 'net and newspaper advertisements for adult stores, it seems LOTS of people enjoy some form of nurse/doctor role-playing as part of their sex lives. So... is a conference for health care professionals going to be a big fetish-sex party? I don't think so. Might some consenting adults be having sex in their hotel rooms when they are not attending conference sessions? Sure, probably. Who knows, some of them may even be role-playing while they do so. Some of those may even be role-playing a naughty nurse scenario. But The fact that some people may be having sex there, and some may even be fetishists, likely has NO IMPACT on the people who are there for strictly professional reasons. And anyone who goes to the conference is not automatically suspected of being "Naughty Nurse Nancy" in her private time.
Or maybe to put it more succinctly, AC is a conference for makers and fans of anthropomorphic art. Any sex is incidental to that; it is not the focus or reason of the conference and most attendees are not even going to be aware of anything like that going on. Just take a look at the myriad of panels, workshops, and entertainment offered at the con: I didn't see 'big sex party' listed anywhere in there!!....okay so anyway I do get to rambling; maybe Uncle Kage's suggestion on pointing out that CSI is fiction is the easiest and best!
And I do know what you mean about wearing a fursuit to avoid attention. Sure, you'll actually get TONS of attention in a fursuit, but they won't be able to see YOU in there. You can be undercover.
Hope your family goes and you all have a great time!
Of course, if it was mostly a sexual thing, AC wouldn't allow minors. I'd have to point that out, too.
And with the fursuit thing, it's pretty obvious I'd get attention in one, but I figured it wouldn't be bad attention, as it might be if I wasn't in one.
And thanks!
That's a very good way to put it. Invite them along -- they'll probably have as much fun as you will.
And if your Mom brings up CSI, you can squint at her and say, "Um, mom, you do realize that CSI is not real, right?"