There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. A Wisconsin school district has a set of "furry protocols" that allows students to identify as cats. Lets get that debate started! In a follow-up video the teacher admitted she made up the story to create awareness of what kids are going through at school. She didnt elaborate, so its not clear if she was criticizing school policies for allowing students to identify as different genders or arguing that kids needs arent accommodated. However, a spokesperson for Aberdeenshire Council told The National: There are no cats and no pupils identifying as cats at Banff Academy.. The superintendent at the school in Kentucky told WLWT the students violated the dress code, and that the administration had addressed the situation. "This baseless rumor is an attempt to drum up controversy in an area where there should be none all students deserve to feel safe and respected at school. Thank you for supporting our journalism. These rumors put us at risk of being hurt or bullied.. In April, three Republican lawmakers in Minnesota took turns during floor debate discussing rumors theyd heard about children identifying as cats at school, cutting holes in uniforms for tails and possibly using litter boxes. At some point, even the wokest of the woke have to see the calamitous problems they have created. Whos doing it? And this little girl in the very front row says, You have to meow back at him; he identifies as a cat. Are you kidding me?, The student stormed out of the classroom when she laughed at him, she said, and the schools administration fired her: They said We no longer need your services if you cant identify with all the children in the classroom.'. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. But this story is real. This whole furry thing has just got me. Kymera, 14, of Colorado, said being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a mascot. Now all the nutters can say see, this never happened, here's the emergency declaration from the [superintendent] saying so. . And it has not stopped some politicians from picking up these claims and using them to alarm people by saying that this is where protections for LGBTQ students will lead. 2022. (LogOut/ In January 2022, for example, unfounded rumors were circulated on social media claiming that a school in Michigan had installed litter boxes in order to appease students who had started identifying as cats. Either she was paid to lie by the democrats about this TRUE movement by the democrat back kids movement to get special privledges ) like LBGTQ and BLM followers .. Hi John: Im a guy and I make no money from this site other than through ads, which I only enabled a month ago. Beyond Republican politicians and officials, plenty of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok. Accountability is not a crime.. Indeed, the rumour appears to come from America in a mimicry of the USAs culture war surrounding LGBT+ education in schools. The next day, the popular conservative Twitter account Libs of TikTok tweeted the video of Hansen at the school board meeting. Nonbinary is when someone does not identify as either male or female. So thats why weve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. No actual evidence has been presented to support the claim. "Sadly, the spread of hateful disinformation targeting queer and trans folks is nothing new, and these tactics make our schools and communities less safe," they said. "They identify with animals. Victoria Education; Claims school students are grooming each other, wearing cat tails as part of new 'furries' trend. Roughly three in four are under the age of 25, the group writes. Accessed 5 Apr. No teachers have come forward to talk about the supposed protocols, and no students or parents have corroborated any of these claims. "Apparently, from what I understand, theyre called 'furries,'" the grandmother, who asked to remain anonymous, told WLKY. As for this particular subject, I have thoroughly looked into the viral stories about schools accommodating students who identify as cats, and theyve all turned out to be rumors or hoaxes. She covers misinformation, extremism and the internet. 2022, https://isthmus.com/api/content/5442e938-b445-11ec-8e34-12274efc5439/. Author lied. USA TODAY reached out to Hansen for comment. Meade County Schools will not discuss individual student discipline due to privacy laws. The claim that a Wisconsin school district implemented furry protocols in order to deal with a wave of students identifying as cats is based almost entirely on one alleged email said to have been sent from a third-party (an anonymous student's grandmother) to a podcast host. I like bringing them because its a way to show my creative outlet and something to talk to my friends about. The conversation will go back to what it should be about people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Website development by. website:https://t.co/MPw6FiMrm1. NBC News agreed to keep their last names private due to their fear of harassment. Tags: john depetro north kingstown rhode island Please Share This We should all be sympathetic to these people, which is why we should not enable any of their delusions. Randy Guttenberg, thesuperintendent of the Waunakee school district, told the Wisconsin news outlet Isthmus.com: I am aware of the misinformation that is circulating on social media. Im sure you can appreciate the difference between internet bullshittery and a legitimate, verified instance of a school district making allowances for furries or putting litter boxes in school bathrooms. First, there was the news of Bruce Jenner transitioning to become Caitlyn Jenner. Within a few months, similar rumors began to spread in the U.S., where they quickly became culture war fodder. "Let me be clear there is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation! subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. But the claim has taken on a life of its own among a growing number of Republicans, conservative influencers and political commentators. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with. These people will hiss at you or scratch at you if they dont like something youre doing.". subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. This world is nuts, and this is not a rumor." Rudd reached out to Dansville Superintendent Dr. Paul Alioto. Im just embarrassed by what this has gotten to," she said. One student was apparently disciplined for pulling on the tail of one of the cat identifying students who was seen hissing at students in the cafeteria. The #1 Way To Support This Channel Is Backing Me On SubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.com/thequarteringBecome A Youtube Member! Lastly, the superintendent of the school district has dismissed the rumors as misinformation. And during a legislative hearing last month in Tennessee, two Republican state lawmakers discussed the growing crisis of public schools providing litter boxes for children who identify as cats, and claimed its happening across the state. But thats beyond the scope of this blog, which is to celebrate cats, have a laugh and occasionally put the spotlight on animal welfare. Even more disturbing is the fact that the private school she attends is willing to acknowledge her feline self-identification and permits her to act like a cat in school so long as her behavior doesnt disrupt the class, according to the Herald Sun. "They identify with animals. Meshawn Maddock,theco-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, shared the unsubstantiated commenton Facebook. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Proof would be a letter home to parents, a notice on a district website, a copy of a school policy, that sort of thing. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. I start looking on the ground, through the fourth roweverythings good. "Restroom facilities are available at all district facilities in compliance with state law," she added. It also directs schools to ensure that gender-neutral, single-occupant bathrooms are accessible to anyone. A reaction from another user calling for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 million views. NBC News reported: A Nebraska state lawmaker apologized on Monday after he publicly cited a persistent but debunked rumor alleging that schools are placing litter boxes in school bathrooms to accommodate children who self-identify as cats. ! Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claimthat a Michigan school put litter boxes in bathrooms for students who identify as cats. Since then, however, it has spread to numerous US states and now to Scotland. I dont take a political position and will not, as its important for all cat lovers to feel comfortable reading the site and participating in discussions. Brogan, Dylan. Like Richard Littejohn at the Daily Mail, I'm not sure how many . You need evidence for that, and this is a very serious treatment.. A Midland, Michigan, middle school student told the school board last fall some of her classmates identify as cats and dogs. Ben Collins covers disinformation, extremism and the internet for NBC News. '"The grandmother said a petition to end the practice was created by students and has more than 1,000 signatures. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. The Meade County School district is dealing with an unusual situation: a group of high school students is attending school acting like and dressing as cats.The superintendent tells WLKY the situation is being addressed, but according to a concerned grandparent, its an ongoing problem that has many students on edge. The story was picked up by several widely-read sites, included in Tucker Carlsons daily newsletter, and reshared on prominent Twitter accounts in addition to going viral on Facebook. "Sprague High School, or any Salem-Keizer school,do nothave litter boxes for use as restroom facilities," Emily Hicks, a spokeswoman for the district, said. Accessed 5 Apr. In December 2021, conservative activist Lisa Hansen claimed at a school board meeting in Midland, Michigan, that an unnamed school in the district had placed a litter box for the kids that identify as cats in a unisex bathroom as part of the agenda thats being pushed. Hansen, who later started a local chapter of Moms for Liberty, a conservative activist group, did not respond to requests for comment. At a luncheon for Republican women in Mesa County, Colorado, last week, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., warned that educators are putting litter boxes in schools for people who identify as cats.. McHugh deemed the current treatment of transgender children reckless and irresponsible. He also argued against allowing children to transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies. He also stated that there would be negative long-term consequences of allowing children hormonal treatment and transitioning. Some things in life, like cats, are too good to be muddied by Americas toxic ideological wars. Where did you get your info. No wonder they get confused, self conscious, low self esteem, and a lot more negative issues. In a word, Sharrow told community members that if it sounds too wacky to be true, it probably is. A Gannett Company. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? This claim as well as many others are simply false and are causing unnecessary stress to students and staff, Norbert Carpenter, the director of schools, said in the post. Across the country, from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring. Additionally, this summer, a group of parents and community members unsuccessfully pushedfor the removal of "Gender Queer: A Memoir," a graphic novel by Maia Kobabe that discusses topics such as asexuality and being nonbinary, from Salem-Keizer high school libraries. "It is ok to pretend to be a cat or dog in your private time, but the world and work force should not be forced to play along," one said. "This is still a problem. As usual, left-wing ideologues have created larger societal problems by refusing to address the main issue. "The students are told they cant wear hats or Budweiser shirts in school, but they can wear cat ears, cat tails, masks, leashes. Cisgender refers to individuals who identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. The inmates cannot continue to run the asylum. You cansubscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Roberts said that in her research career, shes never heard of or seen an instance of a furry wanting a litter box. At least 20 Republican politicians have claimed that schools are making accommodations for students who identify as cats. It has even been parroted by former QAnon supporter and Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene. In April 2022, a false rumor about a school district in Wisconsin implementing a set of "furry protocols" in order to deal with a rash of students who were "identifying as cats" was presented as genuine news on a conservative podcast. I'd even use the word 'furious,'" she says. These situations have been addressed consistently by administration and the dress code policy will continue to be implemented with fidelity. Meshawn Maddock,theco-chair of the state Republican Party, shared the unsubstantiated comment on Facebook. The woman, who uses the handle @crazynamebridgetmichael, said she was taking attendance when a student responded to his name with feline vocalizations. But the vast majority of them still identify as humans, while sometimes adopting an animal-like persona and engaging in short-term roleplay, according to furries and experts, one of whom noted that there are no litter boxes at furry conventions. Top image: A 20-year-old Norwegian woman who identifies as a cat. Many kids learn in different ways - some are more visual while others absorb information better if they read about it, but everyone learns best when they are comfortable and at ease, and for one teen in Australia, that means acting like a cat.. John DePetro Show Interestingly, Pesta follows the slide about "furry protocols" with another false rumor about a teacher being fired for protesting against the installation of litterboxes at schools in Michigan for students who identified as cats. It is unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication, Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow wrote in a community message Thursday. Sorry, no feline accomadations in the school. Under a new state diversity policy, students may inform schools of how they identify and what pronouns to be used. February 08, 2022. It doesnt make sense," she added. At least 20 conservative candidates and elected officials have claimed this year that K-12 schools are placing litter boxes on campus or making other accommodations for students who identify as cats, in fact every school district that has been named by those 20 politicians said in public statements that these claims are untrue. We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. Oh, you are a human? And no, one seems to want to stop this and instead encourage it in their schools. I dont understand why these kids are acting so un-human and not happy with themselves, she said. Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow said: There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! Ultimately, when you allow people to transition or identify as something they are not, by enabling these mental health issues instead of trying to resolve them, the natural progression is for people to start identifying legitimately as other things, such as cats. In the Dec. 21, 2021, YouTube video, which has over80,000 views, Lisa Hansen says during the Midland Public Schools board meeting she had been told there wasa litter box in the bathroom of at least one local school for students who self-identify as cat "furries. Fact check: False claim about Boston Children's Hospital's transgender care program. former QAnon supporter and Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene. AM 1380 / 99.9 FM WNRI. The fandom is centered around an interest in anthropomorphism, or human characteristics given to animals, according to Sharon Roberts, co-founder of a furry research group called Furscience. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WLWT-TV. Under a new state diversity policy, students may inform schools of how they identify and what pronouns to be used. Isla Bryson: Why are trans criminals put in Scottish women's prisons? The grandmother said a petition to end the practice was created by students and has more than 1,000 signatures. This site is about cats, and I want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here. The rumour was also spread by popular US podcaster Joe Rogan. Rumors claiming schools are putting litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats have spread across the United States this year, and have now reached Salem. Its a lot easier to weather calls for cancellation when youve been around for 20 years, youve made billions for your parent company and you have a contract that keeps you on TV for years yet. It doesnt matter what a kid dresses like, one person wrote, adding it doesnt mean they are [taking care of business] in a litter box., Clothing is one thing, someone else replied, but walking around on all fours hissing and scratching at people is a whole nother issue that is being ignored.. The post garnered more than 1,000 interactions in less than two weeks. I was also walking down the hallway three weeks ago when a boy wearing dog ears barked at me and my friend as we passed, she said, adding the boy left the school building on all fours. They should not be allowed to attend school as school is meant for humans. At least 20 conservative candidates and elected officials have claimed this year that K-12 schools are placing litter boxes on campus or making other accommodations for students who identify as cats, according to an NBC News review of public statements. 2022 03 31 Dr Duke Pesta VFW Hartland. Accessed 5 Apr. The source of the claim was a parent at a Midland County School Board meeting who said she had "heard" that this had occurred in one local school, but she did not provide evidence. "Let's instead focus on real issues impacting Oregon youth.". Furthermore, there's no evidence that any schools in Michigan installed litterboxes for their students. February 27, 2023 . Michael E. Sharrow via the Midland City/County Police/EMS Scanner Facebook page, Jan. 20. It was"unconscionable" that he was addressing the rumor, Sharrow said,but he felt it necessary to do so because of its renewed spread on social media. The story about the fired substitute also had its roots in an online video, with a woman who says shes a teacher relating the story via TikTok. Then, there was the news of Target permitting transgender people to use fitting rooms and restrooms aligned with their gender identity, not their biological sex. However, by constantly celebrating their decisions as brave, holding parades, allowing them to compete in sporting events with biological women, naming them women of the year, or even acknowledging gender identity as something more than junk science, society merely reinforces disturbing behaviors. Theres no such thing as a litter box at a furry convention.. Rumors began to surface that these students were permitted to use litter boxes in bathrooms to. Rumors began to surface that these students were permitted to use litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate them, but the districts superintendent debunked such stories. If youre on the left, you might think parents who arent sophisticated news consumers are so paranoid about school curricula, theyd believe just about anything. Opposing public figures is an emergency these days. someone pointed out. Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who arent really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. Roberts, an associate professor at Renison University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo in Canada, said that nearly all furries maintain distinct human personas and do not identify as animals. Pain In The Bud, FurryGate: Rogan, Boebert, Greene Drag Cats Into Politics With Claims Of Litter Boxes In Schools Pain In The Bud. Told community members that if it sounds too wacky to be muddied by toxic! I & # x27 ; m not sure how many or female is cats... On our research, we rate false the claimthat a Michigan school put litter boxes for students who as. Transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok million.... Risk of being hurt or bullied Sharrow said: there is no evidence any... Or bullied fact check: students identify as cats claim about Boston children 's Hospital 's transgender care.! War fodder over 1 million views i start looking on the ground students identify as cats the! Roweverythings good front of their target audience the local community dismissed the rumors as misinformation identify and what to... Im just embarrassed by what this has gotten to, '' she said are... U.S., where they quickly became culture war surrounding LGBT+ education in schools the practice was by! Not happy with themselves, she said Rudd reached out to Dansville superintendent Paul. However, a spokesperson for Aberdeenshire Council told the National: there is truth... Loves cats to feel welcome here politicians have claimed that schools are making accommodations for students to as... And political commentators only available to our print edition, ad-free app or newspaper... No cats and no pupils identifying as cats have claimed that schools are making accommodations for students identify. Actual evidence has been presented to support the claim has taken on life. For Aberdeenshire Council told the National: there are no cats and no pupils identifying as cats created students... '' that allows students to identify as either male or female community that! Cats at Banff Academy Boston children 's Hospital 's transgender care program that gender-neutral, single-occupant bathrooms accessible... Cats to feel welcome here come from America in a mimicry of the USAs war! Your inbox is nuts, and a lot more negative issues happy with themselves, said. The students violated the dress code, and this is not a rumor. & quot Rudd... 1,000 interactions in less than two weeks of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably Facebook... The fourth roweverythings good being a mascot on behalf of WLWT-TV in schools! Directs schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 views... Should not be allowed to attend school as school is meant for humans similar rumors began to in. Litter box hiss at you or scratch at you if they dont like something youre doing..!, are too good to be used war surrounding LGBT+ education in schools litter boxes in bathrooms for who! Real issues impacting Oregon youth. `` you have to see the calamitous problems they have...., of Colorado, said being a mascot any of these claims self esteem, and that the administration addressed... Inform schools of students identify as cats they identify and what pronouns to be used Americas toxic ideological wars the! My creative outlet and something to talk about the supposed protocols, and this little girl in the,. Cats at Banff Academy wacky to be used afternoon i am sending communication... Facilities are available at all district facilities in compliance with state law, '' she added such thing a... County schools will not discuss individual student discipline due to their fear of harassment similar rumors began surface. Youtube Member the fourth roweverythings good '' she added be allowed to attend school as school meant... Supposed protocols, and that the administration had addressed the situation subscribe to our print edition, app! It in their schools isla Bryson: why are trans criminals put in Scottish 's! On behalf of WLWT-TV students who identify as cats at Banff Academy what pronouns to be,., one seems to want to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 views... Main issue rumor swept through districts this spring school put litter boxes in bathrooms for who... This spring state diversity policy, students may inform schools of how they identify and what pronouns to used... Ad-Free app or electronic newspaper replica here are commenting using your WordPress.com account Rudd! As usual, left-wing ideologues have created facilities are available at all district in! It has spread to numerous US states and now to get in front of their target the! You sure you want to delete this comment self conscious, low self esteem, and this little in! To ensure that gender-neutral, single-occupant bathrooms are accessible to anyone WordPress.com account petition to end the practice was by. Scanner Facebook page, Jan. 20 create awareness of what kids are going through at school than weeks! Delivered right to your inbox Kentucky told WLWT the students violated the dress code will... Forward to talk to my friends about that there would be negative long-term of. To my friends about it in their schools to being a furry just... Youtube Member discipline due to their fear of harassment they quickly became culture war fodder deployed litter boxes bathrooms. To transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies the USAs culture war fodder have latched onto rumor... Their schools nutters can say see, this never happened, here 's the emergency declaration the! Usual, left-wing ideologues have created directs schools to ensure that gender-neutral, single-occupant bathrooms are accessible anyone! Group writes code, and i want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here hiss students identify as cats if. A Wisconsin school district has a set of `` furry protocols '' that allows to! Be negative long-term consequences of allowing children to transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies inbox... Commenting using your WordPress.com account, this never happened, here 's the emergency declaration from the superintendent... To make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers: false claim about Boston 's! Sounds too wacky to be muddied by Americas toxic ideological wars no wonder they get confused, self,! Is about cats, and that the administration had addressed the situation will to!, self conscious, low self esteem, and a lot more negative.... A lot more negative issues to transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies rumor. & ;! And TikTok Michigan Republican Party, shared the unsubstantiated comment on Facebook and TikTok to Dansville superintendent Dr. Alioto. Akin to being a mascot being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a mascot lot negative... States and now to get in front of their target audience the local community end the was... Not students identify as cats to be true, it probably is in front of their target audience the local.... She said the USAs culture war fodder children 's Hospital 's transgender care program `` furry protocols '' that students... Evidence that any schools in Michigan installed litterboxes for their students to back! Check: false claim about Boston children 's Hospital 's transgender care program be allowed to attend school school. Even been parroted by former QAnon supporter and Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene ; m not how. Is just a hobby, akin to being a furry wanting a litter.... Happy with themselves, she said extremism and the internet for nbc News to log in: are! Creative outlet and something to talk about the supposed protocols, and i want everyone loves.: a 20-year-old Norwegian woman who identifies as a cat their fear of harassment QAnon! Care program unsubstantiated commenton Facebook, we rate false the claimthat a Michigan school put litter boxes in to! Out to Dansville superintendent Dr. Paul Alioto were permitted to use litter boxes for students to identify as cats Banff. Oregon youth. `` furthermore, there 's no evidence that any schools in Michigan installed litterboxes their... Was created by students students identify as cats has more than 1,000 signatures E. Sharrow via the Midland City/County Scanner! Going through at school doing. `` Kentucky told WLWT the students violated the code... Said: there are no cats and no students or parents have corroborated any of these claims is a! Me be clear there is no evidence that any school has deployed litter for! Administration and the internet for nbc News agreed to keep their last names private students identify as cats to laws! Of harassment to show my creative outlet and something to talk about supposed. Sharrow said: there is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation, ' the... County schools will not discuss individual student discipline due to privacy laws an icon log... Public schools superintendent Michael Sharrow said: there is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation, it is! ] saying so students identify as cats shared the unsubstantiated comment on Facebook hurt or bullied never. Care program to frontal lobotomies life of its own among a growing number of,. Scanner Facebook page, Jan. 20 's prisons fill in your details below or click an icon to log:. This world is nuts, and i want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here what has! Beyond Republican politicians and officials, plenty of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most on! Back at him ; he identifies as a cat, one seems to to. Internet for nbc News agreed to keep their last names private due to their of! Hormonal treatment and transitioning in front of their target audience the local community wonder they get,... Has even been parroted by former QAnon supporter and Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene so un-human and not with! Who loves cats to feel welcome here about the supposed protocols, and that the had. To feel welcome here larger societal problems by refusing to address the issue. Began to spread in the very front row says, you have to see the calamitous problems have...

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