Rael: Well, I've always found anthropomorphic animals (whether in cartoons or as more realistic "animal-people") to be fascinating. What's the draw?  I don't really know.  I just think the mix of species is really interesting; the ups and downs of it all, the way things would work for them, etc. I also find them attractive. Why that is I don't know, either. I just always found myself feeling attracted to beings like this. As for where Rael comes from, lord only knows. What I do know is that from the first time I ever pictured myself as a female, I kept seeing her as a rabbit-femme.  I haven't got a clue why that's the image my mind set to the girl I wanted to be, but I just sort of took it as it is and went from there. Do I feel like I have some sort of rabbit "spirit" or whatever?  I don't believe so, but anything is possible. I'm not one to discount something because I've no proof, yet I won't go making uncertain judgments about who I am, either. All I can say is, "This is me... and who knows why?" I've been into "furry" (insider's term for the anthropomorphized-animals fetish  -  U.H.) for a long time, way before I knew (other people were into it). There are also related themes that I find interesting/arousing. 

Related themes? Um, like what? Carrots?

No, certain transgender-related things. The transformation aspect, for instance, has always been an interest of mine, I find it extremely fascinating.  I find the act of transforming someone to be very rewarding, as well as a potentially arousing thing.  I think there's something very powerful in the process of learning one's fantasies, helping to mold someone into the image and shape they want for themselves, then being there to enjoy it with them.  I'm not talking about anything "forced," more helping to, for example, make some boy into the kittygirl of his dreams. I like the idea of being there to foster the whole fantasy, witnessing the happiness accompanying it all, and allowing someone to let go and just be themselves, or anything they want to be. I find that all to be very appealing, even on a totally non-sexual level. 

You know, there are some friends of mine making suits similar to my own. 

Oh? Other bunny girls, or are they squirrels, or what?

Well, kitties, vixens, skunks... a little of everything, I suppose.  I've quite a few transgendered furfriends who really want to express themselves as both the opposite sex and some other species, using fursuits as the medium.  Each one has their own reasons, too. 

I'd imagine it's a lot like drag in that some people do it because it turns them on, and others do it because it expresses what they feel is their true self. Which of these would you say is truer for your bunnygirl persona? Is Rael the "real" you? 

Oh, this is definitely a "this is me" type of thing.  Bunny or not, I really prefer being a female.  It just fits me so well. I'm at my best like this. The bunny part is simply an extension of the gender bits. I classify myself as generally transgendered.  I'm not so dysphoric that I hate being a boy and just have to be a girl to be happy, but lord knows if I woke up as a girl tomorrow I wouldn't mind one bit.  I'm a practical person... I do what's good for everything as a whole, not just myself.  Right now that means being a "part time" girl.  Maybe later on in life that will change for me. Who knows? 

Now, I'll also admit to being able to express myself much more in a sexual sense as a bunnyfemme. I'm happy with myself as Rael. I like the way I look, and it makes it so much easier for me to be open and loving, and to have fun.  Plus, I have a big thing for looking cute and sexy.  It's a major rush to toss on my bunny stuff, over that a cute PVC (poly-vinyl clothing - ed.) lingerie ensemble, and step in front of the mirror and admire myself.  It feels great to look so sexy and attractive.  I feel that I'm very fortunate to have the ability to make this fantasy a reality for myself. 

I am a great deal more playful as a bunnyfemme.  Does that make it a sexual thing, too?  Perhaps, but I think it's more the positive state of mind than the look and/or clothing on its own.  Without all the pieces of the puzzle, there's nothing there. 

If you don't mind, I'd like to explore the issue of bestiality a bit. Are you at all attracted to real rabbits, or other animals? Have you ever had any sexual experiences with animals? Where do you stand on bestiality?

Oh my... I've never heard this one before! Honestly? It's not my thing.  I always found the mix of animal and human traits to be the main point of attraction in furs for me. Without that, it all looses the appeal rather quickly.  I just find the idea of bestiality completely uninteresting.  I like a partner that's responsive and dexterous. You just can't get that from a regular animal.  As I said, it's the "mix" that attracts me the most, so while I think regular rabbits and other animals are cute, I wouldn't want to date one. As for my stand on the issue, I have none really.  I know this sort of thing goes on.  I can only hope that what they say is true, that the animal is doing all that willingly, and actually enjoying the whole thing.  Since I can't get into the minds of these animals, I don't really know for sure.  I know of some people into bestiality who love their companions to death, and who would never hurt them. I just hope the relationship they have is everything they think it is. 

What does your girlfriend think of all this? How did she react when you first told her?

Well... she'd rather have a boyfriend than a girlfriend, most definitely, but... we're very close.  We love each other to death, and we want each other to be happy.  So, we adjust accordingly.  It took a lot of time and talking to help her understand me, but now it's all pretty "normal" for us.  It's a regular part of our lives.  Sometimes she's hanging out with her boyfriend, other times she's with a fuzzy pink bunnyfemme. I'm the same person regardless, I'm just a lot more feminine and playful as a bunny.  Either way, she just loves me for who I am, whatever that is.  She's wonderful. We went through a lot of the standard phases in all this, and we had some problems along the way, but it all worked out. 

I didn't actually start dressing like this until after we were together.  Sure, I  wanted to long before that, but without her help and encouragement, it would never have happened. 

She sounds great. How did you meet?

On a BBS, actually.  Out of the blue she just said hi, one day. I decided to respond, and the rest is history. 

On your website, you mention wanting to make a leopard suit for her. Do the two of you ever, uh, take this into the bedroom? I'd think a bunnygirl would have a lot to worry about around a leopard girl!

Honestly?  On occasion, yes. Sometimes we do get to playing around "girl  to girl".  See, as I said before, I'm practical.  I know I'm not exactly  configured the correct way for being a female.  But I'm like everyone else, I get aroused.  I can either give up on sex completely because I'm not perfect, or just make the best of it and have fun. I'm a girl with a little extra in her undies, what can I say?  Does it bother me?  Not in the slightest. I just look at my penis like a "toy" of sorts.  I stopped putting so much gender significance on it. There's a lot more to who I am then what's in my undies. So, I  incorporated it into my bunnyfemme suit. It's a pseudo-hermaphroditic design. It looks pretty cute, actually. It's not like my mate minds it at all.  If I had a male for a mate it might be different, but it seems like the  best way to keep my girlfriend properly entertained is to have a penis, so it works for  me. 

Now, my mate isn't bisexual or anything.  I was very surprised that she got comfortable with us being intimate like this.  She does it for me, really. She knows I enjoy it all, and she's found that we really can have lots of  fun together.  Besides, it's not like she has to adapt to much of a  difference. Sure, I'm fuzzy and a lot cuter as Rael, but when it comes down to basics sex is pretty much the same. As for who's worrying?  Well, I'm rather submissive and accommodating, but  I'm a hyper little thing, too!  I'm probably quite a handful, in the right mood. We have fun, that's what's important. 

How many people know about Rael, other than your girlfriend?

Depends on who you mean.  As far as people into furries are concerned, I have a ton of friends.  I have a lot of transgendered furfriends too, but none that  have worked up to doing anything serious in real life yet. There are some friends of mine making suits similar to my own, though.  I'm starting a trend, it seems. As far as non-furry people go?  Probably very few.  My parents know I have a costume, but that's about it.  One person I work with knows about the same.  Everyone else pretty much has no clue.  If they find out, then fine, but it's my private life. I don't have to talk about it if I don't want to. 

Whoa, hang on! Your parents and co-worker know you have the costume? Do they know it's a GIRL bunny costume? Why do they think you have it? 

They know it's a girl. My mom said I dressed like one of those "trashy" girls, I thought that was funny. All they know is that I have the costume, nothing more. I told them I made it to enter a costume contest.  In some ways I want to tell them the real reason, but then again I think it's not worth all the explaining. Well, if I ever end up doing anything permanent, that's when I'll worry about telling them I should have been a daughter. As for my co-worker, he knows no more or less than my parents do. Why I showed him, I don't know. I think I was going to wear it to a Halloween party one time, and brought it up. Nothing ever came of it. 

Bugs Bunny is, of course, the world's most famous rabbit  transvestite. Is he a role model for you? Do you think he's attractive?

Oh, lord... I have him beat by a mile.  Do I look up to him? Not  really, he's just a cartoon. What has he really done to make him great? As for him being attractive, I suppose he's cute by default, being a bunny and all, but I don't have some kind of lustful crush on him or anything. Now, I think Lola Bunny, the girl bunny in Space Jam, is very cute, yet I'm torn between being attracted to her and wanting to look like her. 

Is there anything you're into that would really surprise people? Do you lift weights or collect guns or do anything really butch like that?

Besides the transgender and furry stuff, I play with classic cars a bit and fiddle with computers.  I like to do "outdoorsy" things like mountainbiking and playing volleyball and such.  I like the beach, too. Pretty much everything else I'm into is really quite "normal". I'm actually rather boring.