Leaving The Fandom

Leaving the Fandom, also known as Gafiate or GAFIA (getting away from it all - first coined by the science fiction fandom), is a term and/or expression often used by a fan or artist to announce their intention of getting away from all things fandom and fannish related, usually for an indefinite period.

"Leaving The Fandom" and furry
In furry fandom, the term was originally used in the various furry Usenet newsgroups. Those announcing their departure would often return (if they ever left) a few days, weeks, or years later; this pattern resulted in an expectation that most of those leaving would eventually return.

Some returned to post a request for contacts - they tended to draw a distinction between having friends in the fandom who they wished to remain friends with and being active within the fandom as a whole. Others cut their connection with furry fandom completely.

On MUCKs, it's common for furs to jokingly say or shout "I'm leaving the fandom!" in answer to a minor slip up, an unsettling bit of news, or even a bad pun.