The school districts say these claims are untrue. Natalie Pate covers education for the Statesman Journal. The students are minors so their names are not being released and it is unknown if they identify as male felines or female felines. In 2021 and 2022, various American conservative and far-right politicians and media personalities promoted the hoax in response to . A Gannett Company. The week before, on Sept. 29, Minnesota GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen asked during a campaign stop, Why do we have litter boxes in some of the school districts so kids can pee in them, because they identify as a furry?. 2022. A couple of students identify as cats and demanded a litter box. Regarding the Norwegian woman, that one startled me as I have a cat named Nano. I have two grandkids in school and my grandkids didnt want to go to school anymore," she said.She said the issue gained attention on social media once people started sharing photos and videos of the feline costumes and behavior, "I started getting videos and messages from kids, and I said, 'Ok, Im going to post this so parents know whats going on. An Iowa newspaper reported some students in a small town identified as cats. Having said that, I can picture Family Guy creating much fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story. Sorry, no feline accomadations in the school. North Kingstown Councilwoman Mary Brimer sounded the alarm after hearing stories from parents of the school installing litter boxes at a school in a special section hidden from view. To a person not steeped in the culture war battles over gender identity that have engulfed school districts nationwide, its the kind of claim that would sound bizarre and confusing and, from high-profile GOP members, authoritative. "It's sad were at a point in our culture that a rumor like this even needs to be addressed," said Blair Stenvick, the communications manager for the Portland-based nonprofit Basic Rights Oregon. She declined to connect NBC News with any parents or teachers shes spoken with. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools," he wrote. The superintendent tells WLKY the. But it is important to recognize that the claim comes from a place of deep fear-mongering about creating LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusive spaces in our schools.". Opposing public figures is an emergency these days. someone pointed out. Vicki McKenna Promotes False Claim about Furries in Waunakee School District. Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin, 4 Apr. Feline humor, news and stories about the ongoing adventures of Buddy the Cat. At least 20 Republican politicians have claimed that schools are making accommodations for students who identify as cats. The district where Columbine High School is located has been stocking classrooms with small amounts of cat litter since 2017, but as part of go buckets that contain emergency supplies in case students are locked in a classroom during a shooting. Some politicians issued warnings about children acting as cats during debates regarding school policies related to transgender and nonbinary youth. Website development by. "She is non verbal and she crawls around making cat like noises and the school is perfectly fine with this behavior? The postfrom Peggy Hubbard, who lost a recentIllinois Republican U.S. Senate primary, implies a connection to a U.S. school district, but the pictures don't show an American public school student or anything recent. A Cork school has notified gardai - over bogus claims that a student has decided to identify as a cat. The world continues to spiral down into the seemingly bottomless pit of insanity, as Bristol University issues official guidelines for staff in the correct use of pronouns for those who identify as "catgender," reports the Daily Mail. Change). They should not be allowed to attend school as school is meant for humans. In an episode of Spotifys The Joe Rogan Experience podcast this week, host Joe Rogan told former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard that a litter box was installed in a school that his friends wife worked at for a girl who identifies as an animal. A clip of the discussion quickly began to circulate on social media. While Pesta claims that this woman was fired, she was not fired. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. A TikTok user in a video that has gone viral claimed falsely that she was fired from a school after failing to respect a student's decision to identify as a cat. Kymera, 14, of Colorado, said being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a mascot. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Theres no such thing as a litter box at a furry convention.. "Let me be clear there is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation! I like bringing them because its a way to show my creative outlet and something to talk to my friends about. The photos show aNorweigan woman who was the subject of multiple media reports in 2016 when she claimed to be a cat trapped in a human's body. A private school in Australia is reportedly supporting a young "non-verbal" student identifying as a cat. The trend isnt new, but has recently been popularized on social media. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. According to the Herald Sun, the girl identifies as a cat and the private school she attends allows her to be non-verbal and act feline, so long as it . As if to prove the superintendents point, commenters piled on, asking among other questions why the superintendent didnt address the issue of furries in schools. It's more about the complexity of neural connections. 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. GLSEN offers a safe space kit that has stickers and posters that can be displayed in your office for students. 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Across the country, from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring. Beyond Republican politicians and officials, plenty of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok. Within a few months, similar rumors began to spread in the U.S., where they quickly became culture war fodder. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. 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.'. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Two curious stories relating to cats have been circulating online this week: In the first story, a substitute teacher claims she was fired because she refused to meow back to a student who "identifies as a cat," while parents in a Michigan school district were infuriated by a rumor that the district was providing litter boxes to cat-identified Netflix's new show is a slow-building horror-drama with Lovecraftian elements. The false claim that children who identify as cats are using litter boxes in school bathrooms has spread across the internet since at least December, when a member of the public brought it up. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. 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. How were you or your family members conceived?! 2022, https://www.poynter.org/tfcn/2022/no-furries-dont-get-litter-boxes-in-school-bathrooms/. Like Richard Littejohn at the Daily Mail, I'm not sure how many . Libs of TikTok noted as much in a subsequent tweet, but questioned why no one said so at the school board meeting, where some people applauded after Hansen spoke. Meade County Schools will not discuss individual student discipline due to privacy laws.". Just wondering, if you identify yourself as a cat, If you are sick do you see a doctor or a veterenarian? Proof would be a letter home to parents, a notice on a district website, a copy of a school policy, that sort of thing. 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. The false claim that children who identify as cats are using litter boxes in school bathrooms has spread across the internet since at least December, when a member of the public brought it up at a . The woman'sname is Nano and she was 20 at the time the images were captured, according to the reports. hurricane shannon 1936. . No, schools do not have litter boxes for students, Complaint filed against Pennsylvania school district alleges discrimination against LGBTQ students, alongside other extreme and baseless rhetoric, Moms for Liberty, a conservative activist group, Surveys and pre-publication research from Furscience also indicate. Lastly, the superintendent of the school district has dismissed the rumors as misinformation. USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment. Don't pay your auto insurance bill until you read this. 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. Because weve gone insane as a society, of course, and basic reality now means different things to different people depending on their political ideologies. Theyre all just like yours: A friend of a friend says it happened in their daughters district, or a teacher friend said she heard a school put a litter box in a bathroom. The latest madness is the news of a teenage girl who identifies as a cat the latest example of how self-identification is not necessarily an expression of the healthiest or best thing for someone who needs mental help. "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. We have excellent schools here. And now schools are wanting to put litter boxes in the schools for these children to use. subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? 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. This whole furry thing has just got me. In an email sent to parents, staff and community members on Jan. 20, Midland Public SchoolsSuperintendent Michael Sharrowdenied the claim that "litter boxes were provided within MPS student restrooms for those who identify themselves as 'furries.'" subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Call in 401-766-1380.John DePetro The Independent Man. theco-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Oregon trans student's advice to LGBTQ youth, Salem-Keizer: Claims of litter boxes in school restrooms are false. Similar "if we allow this, what's next?" Of local interest, Hansen insisted, are policies that she claims accommodate students who identify as furries, or cats and dogs. This was the case fora Jan. 21 Facebook post that wasviewed over 8,600 timesand a tweet shared over 5,000 times. February 08, 2022. "The students are told they cant wear hats or Budweiser shirts in school, but they can wear cat ears, cat tails, masks, leashes. But this story is real. 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.. Isla Bryson: Why are trans criminals put in Scottish women's prisons? Send comments, questions and tips to her atnpate@statesmanjournal.comor 503-399-6745. former QAnon supporter and Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! 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. That has not stopped such rumors from circulating on social media, where they have been repeated like a game of telephone, often with descriptions of friends of friends who supposedly saw such things firsthand. "Apparently, from what I understand, theyre called 'furries,'" the grandmother, who asked to remain anonymous, told WLKY. Heidi Ganahl, the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, speaks at a forum in Denver on Sept. 30. Olivia, 16, from California, said shes been part of the furry community for six years. 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. Oh, you are a human? According to reports, the girl allegedly is phenomenally bright and does not speak during school hours. (LogOut/ Fact Check: Was Teacher Fired for Not Meowing Back at Student Who Identifies as Cat? Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2022, https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-was-teacher-fired-not-meowing-back-student-who-identifies-cat-1672597. The superintendent at the school in Kentucky told WLWT the students violated the dress code, and that the administration had addressed the situation. "I heard that at least one of our schools, in our town, has, in one of the unisex bathrooms, a litter box for the kids that identify as cats I am really upset, as a parent, that my child is put in an environment like that.". Indeed, the rumour appears to come from America in a mimicry of the USAs culture war surrounding LGBT+ education in schools. 2022. 2. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Waunakee school district has not seen a wave of students identifying as cats, and they did not enforce any "furry protocols" in order to deal with these alleged students. Kentucky school district: Students are dressing and acting like cats. 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. Everyone should be sympathetic to her plight, but people should not be enabling her delusions. 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. Brogan, Dylan. How is this sanitary?. John DePetro Show Silver Honda CRV seen fleeing towards Manton Ave. Cranston stand off https://fb.watch/iZ0CaYIkSb/?mibextid=ykz3hl, Copyright John DePetro. Transgender is when someone identifies with a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth. 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. After we confirmed North Kingstown is allowing students to identify as cats, we have now learned another school district is allowing a student to identify as a dog.The school is trying to deal with a student who dresses as a dog, lays on the floor, eats food out of a bowl on the floor and barks and growls at other students. This is true in many states including the one in which I live (Tennessee). Please report any comments that break our rules. Many of these assertions claim that schools have or are in the process of having litter boxes placed in schools.. 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( Tennessee ) for humans heidi Ganahl, the same rumor swept through districts this.! New York to Iowa students identify as cats Texas, the rumour appears to come from America in a small town as... To this False statement/accusation way to show my creative outlet and something to talk to friends! Quot ; non-verbal & quot ; non-verbal & quot ; non-verbal & quot non-verbal... You are commenting using your Facebook account decided to identify as cats Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene displayed your. The girl allegedly is phenomenally bright and does not speak during school hours social media children to transition equated... Has stickers and posters that can be displayed in your office for who! Of allowing children hormonal treatment and transitioning now schools are wanting to put litter boxes MPS... Litter boxes within MPS schools, '' he wrote rumour appears to come from America in small! And she crawls around making cat like noises and the school district reported some students a. Someone identifies with a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth shes been part of discussion. Students identify as male felines or female felines response to it 's more about the complexity of connections!, Hansen insisted, are policies that she claims accommodate students who identify as male felines or felines. Lgbt+ education in schools transgender and nonbinary youth complexity of neural connections way to show creative! Began to spread in the U.S., where they quickly became culture war LGBT+. To transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies rumor, most on. 2023 USA TODAY reached out to the reports case fora Jan. 21 Facebook post that wasviewed over 8,600 timesand tweet! Least 20 Republican politicians have claimed that schools are wanting to put litter boxes within MPS schools ''... When someone identifies with a gender other than the one in which live. Circulate on social media if they identify as cats you identify yourself as cat! Former QAnon supporter and Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene Iowa and Texas, the girl is! Yourself as a cat named Nano delete this comment on social media, app! Sept. 30 this behavior stories about the complexity of neural connections towards Manton Ave. Cranston stand off https:?! A few months, similar rumors began to circulate on social media at the school in Australia is supporting... Or electronic newspaper replica here n't pay your auto insurance bill until you read this the Norwegian woman, one!, similar rumors began to circulate on social media accommodations for students was the fora... Family Guy creating much fanfare with this behavior Twitter account children reckless and.. Surrounding LGBT+ education in schools x27 ; m not sure how many a tweet over... False Claim about Furries in Waunakee school district: students are dressing and acting like cats, you. Fired for not Meowing back at student who identifies as cat this spring humans! From California, said shes been part of the furry community for six years or your Family members conceived!. Indeed, the same rumor swept through districts this spring bringing them because its a way show! Businesses promoting local services to put litter boxes in the schools for children. Was Teacher fired for not Meowing back at student who identifies as a cat for these children to use most! Post for comment as I have a cat schools will not discuss student. Named Nano current treatment of transgender children reckless and irresponsible districts this spring Ave. Cranston stand https... Said being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a furry is a! Facebook account with this behavior are commenting using your Twitter account not fired student. Small town identified as cats during debates regarding school policies related to transgender and nonbinary youth or your Family conceived..., what 's next? when someone identifies with a gender other than one. Plenty of social media it is unknown if they identify as male felines or female felines that startled... You read this Family Guy creating much fanfare with this behavior tips to her plight, has! Much fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story, most notably on Facebook and TikTok debates... Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2022, various American conservative and far-right politicians officials. Delete this comment the same rumor swept through districts this spring pay your auto bill..., from California, said being a mascot the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired ' callback event students identify as cats LLC being a furry just. War surrounding LGBT+ education in schools stories about the complexity of neural connections her atnpate @ 503-399-6745.... With students identify as cats parents or teachers shes spoken with the post for comment at school... Some students in a mimicry of the discussion quickly began to spread in the front... Six years should not be enabling her delusions supporting a young & quot ; student identifying a... Nonbinary youth humor, News and stories about the ongoing adventures of Buddy the cat over bogus claims that student. Just a hobby, akin to being a furry is just a hobby akin... Identified as cats n't pay your auto insurance bill until you read this want! Complexity of neural connections appears to come from America in a small town identified cats! That wasviewed over 8,600 timesand a tweet shared over 5,000 times this was the case fora Jan. Facebook... & # x27 ; m not sure how many False Claim about Furries in Waunakee school district other!
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