Nobody needed a furry community in the 50s because being a furry isn't a thing that comes naturally as an urge that you need to repress due to a lack of social acceptance. You become a furry because you're exposed to furries or furry porn. It's social contagion that leads you to self-ostracization and possibly unhealthy behaviour.
Ah, replace furry with any sexuality and that's basically the same homophobic rhetoric repeated today. Guess HN is not immune to completely outdated views on sexuality and psychology.
Funny thing is, you're validating the ones you are calling self-ostracising by spreading misinformation and claiming harm done by their identity. Your comment and how upvoted it is are exactly the reasons why these communities seek safe platforms.
"Exposed to furries"? Come on. It's a subculture like any other, but one which (for fairly stupid reasons in my opinion) faces bullying and harassment. Where do you draw the line between a "social contagion" and a quirky subculture? Are tabletop RPGs a social contagion? What about Ham radio enthusiasts?