February 14, 2022 8:00 am. But the other girl wanted to one up everyone, and decided she was really a demon instead. Kersten initiated an effort to send the senator bags of kitty litter. If you have people who act like and believe they ARE animals, that is NOT a Furry. The personalized animal identity of a furry is known as their fursona, the portmanteau of furry and persona. In Michigan, a school superintendent alsosent an email to parents to say the claim was false, after a parent stated it publicly at a school board meeting that garnered more than 80,000 views on YouTube. Brilliant. Talk about a health violation!! Eastern Iowa Woman Cashes in $250,000 Lottery Prize, Former Hawkeye Standout Keegan Murray Has A Shot At NBA Record, Extremely Common Animal Found In Iowa Is Illegal To Own As A Pet. Or bestiality. Theyre identifying as animals. In a text message Sunday, Kraayenbrink told the Messenger he found out about the litter boxes during a confidential conversation and he does not feel comfortable identifying the district. "I'm all for creativity and imagination but when someone lives in a fantasy world and expects other people to go along I have a problem with that.". This week, on the same day Iowa Capital Dispatch published the Carroll litter box story, lawmakers were debating bills to ban transgender girls participation on womens sports teams and throw educators in jail for making obscene literature available to students. This is saying that kids who; Identify as cats, meow in class, and demand litter-boxes in the bathrooms, arent normal. He doesn't have to travel that far if he's in the mood for a nightcap; he just has to go through one single door. But the clearest evidence youve been stricken is believing that public school districts in Iowa have placed litter boxes in school bathrooms to accommodate kids identifying as animals. Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican Iowa state senator, said at a forum in May that local schools had been required to put cat litter boxes in the bathroom for furries to use, as he discussed schools . It probably wont pass, but it serves a larger purpose of making Iowa parents distrust and fear public schools at a time when Gov. Sign up for my, according to Gazette education reporter Grace King, submitting a letter to the editor or guest column. You know, this is being conflated specifically to invalidate trans identities which are real and which have been studied extensively, they said. Initially, we laughed too. Thanks for contacting us. Me and my two brain cells figured that out, scoffed one critic. Have yall heard about this? And last week, as I was meeting people at the Clay County GOP booth at the county fair, a student told me this sort of thing is happening at their school too. This isnt about mocking transgender people. Read full article. There are an estimated 250,000 people in the US who identify as furries, a subculture whose members enjoy dressing up as cartoonish animals, sometimes as a sexual fetish but more often as a fun escape. A couple of weeks ago we received an email. "There are no litter boxes in our schools. They were wrong then and theyre wrong now. It is unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication, however, our Midland PS stakeholders may be confused about a false message/accusation that has resurfaced this week and is gaining traction in the social media realm, he wrote. School districts in Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska have debunked claims that they are providing litter boxes in bathrooms. Answering the Left: But do you know any gay people? Abbott's school voucher pitch. 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Bostelman is the latest Republican state leader to repeat discredited rumors of students identifying as "furries" and demanding cat litter at school. A Michigan school district is denying that litter boxes were provided to students who identify as 'furries' after a woman made the claim in a school board meeting last month.. Video of the woman . April 11, 2022 Updated: April 11, 2022 8:55 a.m. Mint Images/Getty Images . Maybe he was wearing the Joe and the Hoe Gotta Go hat he sported in a photo circulated on social media during last years school board campaign. The specific claim that schools are providing litter boxes for students who identify as cats or furries seemed to first emerge in 2021, targeting the Prince Edward Island's Public Schools Branch . Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. "Some furries wear elaborate costumes or paraphernalia such as animal ears or tails, or represent themselves as anthropomorphic animals in online communities such as Second Life," the website. "I was in almost every school yesterday and I think you know that I am in schools a lot. Answering the Left: But do you know any gay people? Public school districts have already proven they lack transparency and are willing to tolerate any abhorrent behavior. Secondly, the parents need to be cited for having an unlicensed animal and have not had their rabies shots! I just cant believe this is real, sputtered one incredulous commenter, while another wrote, Whats going on in this town?. And the school was allowing kitty litter to be placed in the classroom or bathroom or both. This story has been shared 102,999 times. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. And though school districts have issued statements debunking the story multiple times, some social media posts are still spreading the erroneous information. What in the world is happening? You guys are truly ignorant. Fifth, they need to be spayed or neutered cause these are the types of people that should not be allowed to breed! Something is very wrong at home and in school if this is excepted in our schools. It isnt how I pictured civilisations collapse. Waukee taxpayers voice displeasure at heated meeting. The truth has been declawed. May. A Michigan superintendent said a rumor that a school district has litter boxes on school grounds for students who identify as furries to use the bathroom is false. (Source: KCCI), Intelligence agencies say they cant link adversaries to Havana syndrome, LIVE: Students hold protest over anti LGBTQ+ laws in Iowa City, People lay flowers at station in Greece, site of deadly crash. As . No board members responded to the claim on the day of the meeting, but Sharrow's statement on Thursday dismissed the claim entirely. In 2018 a blog for school counselors published a post entitled . Litter boxes will not be put in schools on P.E.I. (319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com, Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. Odd. "Not making them participate. They just want to live their lives and go to school, without fear of abuse. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. Symptoms include a fever, which is worsened by spending lots of time in conservative culture war fever swamps. As Ive said, we should just put away the chants, flags and signs and leave them alone. by Kathie Obradovich, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 14, 2022. Locker rooms! Its been circulating since last year and wont die. Please consider a one-time sign of support or becoming a monthly supporter at $5, $10/month - whatever you think we're worth! Others were enjoying poking fun at the gullibility of those who were outraged in their misguided belief that children were using litter boxes instead of toilets in school. "However, our Midland PS stakeholders may be confused about a false message/accusation that has resurfaced this week and is gaining traction in the social media realm.". 'A rising usage of furry refers to people who have a keen interest in or even dress up as, anthropomorphic animal characters, like those often seen in comics, games, and cartoons. In 2021 and 2022, various American conservative and far-right politicians and . I went to r/furry to ask for advice and their opinion on how to handle this situation but got permanently banned. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Facebook post detailing the hilarious rumor, Maid caf trashed as Hooters for incels now biz is booming, My boyfriend cheated on me with my stepmom heres how I busted them, I rage applied myself out of workplace hell and into an extra $50K, Im an 89-year-old who went on my first date in 30 years but got stood up. Using catlike political reflexes, Kraayenbrink tried to scratch some litter to cover up the mess he made. 0:45. Parent heroes will TAKE BACK our schools," Maddock wrote. It looks like it isnt just happening in Iowa, thankfullyI guess? (KCCI) - A school district in Iowa has been hit with rumors saying that students who "identify as cats" are allowed to use litter boxes in the school . And others, who call themselves furries, create animal alter egos and interact with others who do the same. The anatomy of a rumor: Furries and litter boxes at Dickinson Public Schools Furries, people dressing up and acting like anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and . A young child wears cat ears while doing school work at home. Go figure: The social media criticisms flew fast and furry-ous. Not in the Fort Dodge district, but in my Senate district, theyre requiring these schools to put kitty litter boxes in the bathroom, Kraayenbrink said, according to the Messengers Kelby Wingert. [] More people are discussing students identifying as cats in schools []. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming "kids are now requesting litter boxes at school" collected 3 million views on the platform. Or speak. I am currently in school to be a teacher and asked my professors their opinions on the topic and many of . No wonder the kids are not learning! Other, similar claims also have circulated in Wisconsin where a school districtdeniedthat it allows students who identify as furries to lick their paws in gym class and bark in hallways and in Texas, where a candidate for state officefalsely claimedthat cafeteria tables are being lowered to allow furries to eat without using utensils. Parents of children in one Iowa school have even claimed that a girl requested a litter box in the girl's restroom. [] reports have popped up elsewhere. A Nebraska state senator has walked back comments he made during a televised debate in which he referenced false rumors about schools providing litter boxes for children who . Rebecca Kleeman, a spokeswoman for Millard Public Schools, said she is unaware of any incidents involving furries or requests for litter boxes. They're not super realistic outfits, so they mostly look like the kind of suit a mascot would wear. First, contact the humane society for not having a valid animal license and not wearing a tag. Stop pretending that everything you hear is an attack of some sort. The spokesperson wrote to parents that students were wearing items not school-appropriate. These items include collars and leather straps with spikes. Urinating and dedication in a litter box, for others to clean up is unsanitary and quite frankly disgusting. Of course, the media is keeping littergate secret. Not at all, they said. The meeting called together opponents of the transgender policy to discuss their misguided opposition in a comfortable setting, without pesky media or parents, such as myself, who support the districts move. Youre literally following a rumor mill. And what they need right now is acceptance and understanding, not further exclusion and alienation.. A young child wears cat ears while doing school work at home. Jackie Jahfetson, The Dickinson Press, N.D. Supposedly this is real. FUR-REAL: Iowa students, parents report kids wearing collars, barking, hissing as furries, Des Moines teacher talks about how she works around law banning CRT in class, LETTER: Axne ignoring what is happening to America, HOUSE HEARINGS: Book bill has early Wednesday subcommittee, LIVE: Iowa Senate subcommittee on the bathroom bill, In addition to sexual depictions, Gender Queer plugs adult-only website, School Cafeteria Tables Are Being Lowered for "Furries" Texas Monthly - News Point Club, Pixel Scroll 1/27/22 All Ringworlds Great And Small | File 770, Pixel Scroll 1/27/22 All Ringworlds Great And Small - Newzlab. And have policies ensuring no one mocks them? Iowas Most Boring Town Is A Hilarious Coincidence, Heres What 1 Year Of Working On K92.3 and Moving To Iowa Looks Like [PHOTOS], 5 Tips That May Help With Spring Allergies In Your Iowa Home, Chicago Man Convicted In Cruel Shooting of Iowa Deputy, Waterloos Lost Island Parks Announce Opening Dates. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. To put the rumors to rest, Lewton encouraged parents and community members to be mindful of the information they are hearing and spreading to others. School districts in Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska have debunked claims that they are providing litter boxes in bathrooms. In Kentucky a spokesperson for a school said a TikTok trend has students making animal noises toward each other specifically barking. It all started with one Michigan school board meeting where a parent went on a strange rant after she "discovered" that her school is putting litter boxes in bathrooms. A Michigan superintendent had to refute a wild rumor that a litter box was provided in a school bathroom for students who identify as cats last week after a video of a parent raising the claim at a school board meeting spread on social media. Dont think its not happening in your area because it probably is. More people are discussing students identifying as cats in schools, Iowa Senate Dems pull a McAullife: Call Republicans running for school board literal terrorists, PENCE: Empower Americans to have access to medicines, vaccines they want, let it be their choice, RFRA, Governors Emergency Powers Reform bills will not survive funnel in Iowa Senate State Government Committee, HOUSE HEARINGS: Book bill has early Wednesday subcommittee, SENATE SUBS: Human trafficking task force bill in Wednesday hearing, Google dings stories about 'furries,' ineffectiveness of COVID vaccines as violating standards - The Iowa Standard. The litter boxes in schools hoax (also called the litter box canard) [1] [2] is a false rumor alleging that certain North American schools provide litter boxes in bathrooms for students who "identify as cats", or who participate in the furry or otherkin subcultures. I live about two blocks from the school board administrator in my county, whom through his wife told us that a young lady in our district is indeed putting up a squabble about being denied accommodation as a cat. The Carroll Community School District Superintendent, Casey Burlau, sent a letter to concerned citizens in the hopes of "dispelling a damaging rumor" that there are children identifying as animals (some call them "furries") and the district has tried to accommodate them with litter boxes. This outrageous notion of schools trying to "accommodate" students who are said to identify as animals, is a far stretch. Lisa Hansen speaks to the Midland Public Schools Board of Education at its Dec. 20, 2021, meeting. The litter box rumors spread the notion that if schools will let transgender girls compete on sports teams and use the girls restroom, next theyll be forced to accommodate every other so-called identity, even if it means pet bowls on the cafeteria floors and taking kids out for recess on leashes. A district patron asked the school board at its meeting last week if this . The Iowa Standard has heard from a handful of parents across the state concerned about students identifying as "furries" at various schools throughout the state. You will begin to receive our Daily Opinion updates and our topical Pints & Politics newsletter. It has done nothing but distract people from the important work that we need to accomplish on a daily basis.". The school district has denied the claim. In short: This behavior is not related to Furries so please stop lumping a harmless hobby in with an actual mental illness. The litter box canard also serves another political purpose: Trying to scare parents. That's when a local news story about a Pittsburgh furry convention led to unfounded . This has led to students resenting the furries and furry community. "I will do some more investigation," she added. Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. Feb 14, 2022 Updated Mar 22, 2022. The real goal with comparing furries to trans people and bringing up stuff like this is, one, to make fun of furries and say, Oh, arent they so silly. bizarre concession at a Dec. 20 board meeting. Same thing, wear ears, wear hooded onesies with ears and tails, purr, etc. I will make contact with the local Humane Society so we can get a vehicle out there to get these unlicensed, unvaccined animals into the local pound. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Caption: Rumors are going around in . This is definitely going on in schools. Why is damn near everything the GOP pushes anchored in manufactured fear? And we should reject the request of a transgender student to use the restroom that matches their gender identity, in the same way that we should reject a student request to use a litter box., Furries dont identify as cats or other animals, Crow said. Some go to conventions dressed as their favorite superheroes. Taylor, doesnt your school have acting, dance, music, and art classes where you can express yourselves? ", The post was later edited to add, "I have no litter box proof. My son largely ignores them but has found out, when forced into "social" situations with them that their parents are in full support, including the kids being nude at home because cats don't wear clothes (litter boxes at home are rumored but not confirmed). A level of psychiatry needs to be initiated before creating accommodations for students who identify as cats. At this Airbnb you'll rise with the chickensliterally. O'Furr, who has traced the origins of the litter box urban legend, dates the hoax to at least 2008. Third, they need to take their de-worming pills and dont forget their flea and ticket collars. Des Moines Register, "Carroll Community School District superintendent: No litter boxes in schools," Feb. 10, 2022 Facebook post , April 4, 2022 Fort Worth Star-Telegram, " Furries eating out of .