So to start out, let me first say that BFC has absolutely ruined every other con for me forever. This event is the single most validating weekend of my life, it's the dream con that every babyfur or ABDL has ever fantasized about, and is the best judgment  free zone on earth for people in our community.

For literally decades I have been at war with myself over this kink. It honestly can feel like a curse at times, and during my life it's contributed heavily to depression, anxiety, terrible self esteem, and a feeling that I'm "unlovable" due to being one of those "diaper loving freaks" that popular society, and even a lot of furry culture, loves to hate on.

For years I stayed out of the furry community in general due to this fear of rejection, and in my normal life I continue to wear the "dude-bro" mask that I've so exquisitely crafted as a survival mechanism. The unfortunate reality is that people take one look at this kink and automatically have false, hurtful, and disgusting assumptions flood their heads before you can even explain it to them.

All of those worries, all that anxiety, and that stupid fucking mask just drops away the minute I step into BFC. This con is the single most validating experience one can have in this community. It let me finally see the little me that I've worked for years to suppress come to the surface. It was sad in that I realized just how much that little-kid-me has suffered at my own hands for years, always there deep down, but never being allowed to shine.

I'll admit, last year after the end of BFC 23 I went home, got into the shower, and bawled my eyes out for nearly 2 hours after realizing how much I've been beating myself up over this "curse". BFC 23 opened my eyes to a community of the most caring, loving, respectful, understanding, compassionate, and like-minded individuals I have ever had the pleasure of spending a weekend with.

If BFC23 was the door being kicked open, BFC24 this year was as if the entire wall was plowed over. Every single person at this convention understands when I say it is a cathartic experience; I can't think of any other convention, save for Capcon, that allows us to express a side of ourselves that is normally never seen, even by our partners (unless you're very lucky). Seeing all the friends I had made over the past year again in the flesh was incredible. Being able to just talk with others that understand completely about this kink is honestly my favorite part of BFC; the conversations we can have that no one else can follow. Where else can you have a lively discussion about the merits of cloth backed vs plastic backed diapers IRL while you stand there in a thick diaper, mini skirt, and a button-up shirt covered in the kids town map rug design?

This con has helped this community so much. The staff deserve every bit of praise they can get tbh. The atmosphere of validation and protection they provide is what allows us to even explore this side of ourselves in the first place. Their experience running other cons, and their incredible attention to detail makes BFC the best run furry convention in the world IMO. Everything from the theming, the programming, the interfacing with the hotel staff, the safety team, and even the sponsor management was so professionally run that you'd think this con had a 50 year history, rather than just being the second event ever.

BFC will forever remain a pivotal point in my life, and I'm sure many of you feel the same way. It's a chance to finally, unapologetically, and whole-heartedly be your authentic self, or find that authentic self that you've spent years hiding. It's a chance to make new friends that actually understand you completely, that see you and still love you when you take off the pubic mask, and explore this side together in a setting devoid of judgment or the expectations of the world.

It's not just about "UwU soggy diapers" (although that is fun ☺️). It's much deeper than that. BFC is the greatest, albeit fleeting, journey of self discovery one in this community can take, and if you take that leap I can assure you that you will never regret it.