Period. Bostelman is the latest Republican state leader to repeat discredited rumors of students identifying as "furries" and demanding cat litter at school. Another gawker wondered how the litter box system would even work, writing: Logistically no public school has the budget to afford kitty litter for a small percentage of their community to use also ask yourself the last janitor youve met would they scoop human feces out of a litter box?. Are you hearing similar nonsense? Kersten asked. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette), Columnist/editorial writer for The Gazette. 0:00. Iowa is being plagued by multiple cases of what Im diagnosing as a strain of cat scratch fever. "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. " We have dress up days and kids bring stuffed animals to school. 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. Furries are people who identify with or . The Meade School District will not be putting litter boxes in district schools, the superintendent said. Well, for starters, none of this is true!! ACROSS AMERICA The conspiracy theory that some school districts are providing litter boxes for students who identify as animals, or "furries," is making the rounds again as the 2022-23 . God, not everything that hurts peoples feelings is wrong. Well, kind of. But the narrative that schools would indulge students in this fashion has a much darker underbelly. "I will do some more investigation," she added. Im just sayin. Sharon E. Roberts, Associate professor, Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo . 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. Sign up for my, according to Gazette education reporter Grace King, submitting a letter to the editor or guest column. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 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. This has led to students resenting the furries and furry community. "Not making them participate. "Let me be clear in this communication. And what they need right now is acceptance and understanding, not further exclusion and alienation.. April 11, 2022 Updated: April 11, 2022 8:55 a.m. Mint Images/Getty Images . This story has been shared 147,519 times. If youve ever used the phrase Fake News now YOU can actually DO something about it! Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. A school had to send an email putting this rumor to rest. 0. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Leave them alone. Its been circulating since last year and wont die. In 2018 a blog for school counselors published a post entitled . Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Lewton noted that each school within the Dickinson Public Schools district has its own handbook that lays out dress code. We thought, no way., But then we thoughtwell, you never know.. As for the rest of us, expect headaches, confusion and exhaustion. This story has been shared 102,999 times. He didnt inform his colleagues or the district about the meeting. Footage of her spurious accusation was subsequently shared to Facebook Thursday byMichigan Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock, who wrote, Parent heroes will TAKE BACK our schools.. Some say litter boxes are located in "transgender bathrooms" in schools. Michigan Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! This story has been shared 125,674 times. Of course, the media is keeping littergate secret. School districts in Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska have debunked claims that they are providing litter boxes in bathrooms. A reaction from another user calling for . If your child thinks they are a cat or a dog then you failed as a parent. (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 restrooms. Members of the "furries" fantasy subculture tell The Post they're not wild about this week . published on Jan. 23, a Michigan school superintendent dispelled the rumor after a comment resurfaced from a school board member that the school district made accommodation for furries by installing litter boxes in its restrooms. They were wrong then and theyre wrong now. This is definitely going on in schools. Its not make-believe or fantasy. Its absurd, and its mean-spirited, and it is absolutely not the focus we should be having right now, Cobb said. We rely on the financial support of our readers to exist. Abbott's school voucher pitch. The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals. Put them on a leash to go to the bathroom outside. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Bathrooms! I am currently in school to be a teacher and asked my professors their opinions on the topic and many of . The Gazette is Iowas independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage. That same day, Sharrow took to Facebook to clarify that the rumor was, in fact, false. Kathie Obradovich Iowa Capital Dispatch. In January, in possibly the first report, Libs of TikTok posted a video from a Michigan school board meeting of a woman who claimed "kids who identify as a cat or a dog" can pee in litter . Its like the slippery-slope arguments that we heard back when Iowa legalized same-sex marriage: If we allow this, next well have to condone marriages involving pedophilia. Some people laughed at how absurd it is that school kids are supposedly going around claiming to be animals. Texas district debunks GOP hopefuls claim, Fact check: No, a Michigan public school did not provide litter boxes for students identifying as cats. Urinating and dedication in a litter box, for others to clean up is unsanitary and quite frankly disgusting. And have policies ensuring no one mocks them? 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. Answering the Left: But do you know any gay people? Claims of litter boxes in school bathrooms have cropped up on social media both locally and around the country. A school board in North Carolina considered a proposal to ban furry costumes in schools after they say they received numerous complaints about students dressing up as animals and using litter . You will begin to receive our Daily Opinion updates and our topical Pints & Politics newsletter. And the school was allowing kitty litter to be placed in the classroom or bathroom or both. 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. Remember how rightward marching culture crusaders said same-sex marriage would destroy society and bring on scary stuff such as rampant polygamy? She continued: "It was addressed by a child a couple of months ago that they are put in an environment where that are kids that identify as a furry cat or a dog or whatever. European cat, Felis catus, brown tabby kitten in litter tray. And though school districts have issued statements debunking the story multiple times, some social media posts are still spreading the erroneous information. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. Stop pretending that everything you hear is an attack of some sort. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. litter boxes in schools for furries maine. But just like with book bans, furry fearmongering is translating into state law: The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported this week that the Iowa Senate has passed new laws enshrining further parental . View our online Press Pack. Third, they need to take their de-worming pills and dont forget their flea and ticket collars. In Wisconsin, several school districts debunked the claim, the APreported. ", The post was later edited to add, "I have no litter box proof. 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. Counter-protestors stand and hold signs at the intersection of 10th Street and 29th Avenue during a protest against the Linn-Mar school boards passage of policies to protect transgender students from discrimination near Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa on Friday, May 6, 2022. Waukee taxpayers voice displeasure at heated meeting. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Or incest. [] More people are discussing students identifying as cats in schools []. But the other girl wanted to one up everyone, and decided she was really a demon instead. Otherwise, if we don't stop this downward slide, we might soon be required to provide litter boxes for people who identify as cats. "There are no litter boxes in our schools. The litter box canard also serves another political purpose: Trying to scare parents. 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). It isnt how I pictured civilisations collapse. Using catlike political reflexes, Kraayenbrink tried to scratch some litter to cover up the mess he made. This is about stupidity not transphobia. "Yesterday I heard something, and I was stunned. They wear animal accessories (ears, tails, etc) and they paw at other kids backpacks and shoes, etc. This woman claims that a group of kids who identify as "furries" and specifically identified as cats was given litter boxes in the unisex bathroom at this school. 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. Dare I say that it is absolutely bonkers! Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 13, 2022 7:00 am, Updated: May. They are . They are acting just as described in this article. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. And others, who call themselves furries, create animal alter egos and interact with others who do the same. (Read more about ourpartnership with Facebook.). A Facebook post says schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries. There never will be," said EVSC Superintendent David Smith, after Monday's board meeting. Have yall heard about this? When Can You Get Your License If Your Birthday Is On A Leap Day? You can also support us on PayPal at. Kraayenbrink and other conservatives are working overtime to prove allowing transgender kids to live authentically in a safe school environment puts us on a path toward societal collapse. Go figure: The social media criticisms flew fast and furry-ous. Kersten initiated an effort to send the senator bags of kitty litter. Theres also a loss of appetite, for facts. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Its more of a role-playing type thing that some people do to express themselves in a different way. "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.". I agree, this starts at home with good healthy parenting. Why would this be allowed in the school systems anywhere? 1. The superintendent tells WLKY the situation is being addressed, but according to a concerned grandparent, it's an ongoing problem that has many students on edge . The flurries of furries has reached North Dakota, with some school districts in Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo issuing statements to debunk the kitty litter rumors, as detailed in a Forum article . Go to the bathroom in a toilet and flush. By clicking Accept all you agree that Yahoo and our partners will process your personal information, and use technologies such as cookies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights, and product development. Schools are not putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate children, as months of unfounded rumors have claimed. We were told there are students allowed to wear cat ears and tails while other students cannot even wear a hat. "This is simply and emphatically not true," and goes on to say " It is very unfortunate that this rumor has been spread over the last several weeks. Actually, I was listening to Simon Conway talk about this today, and it apparently IS going on in IOWA schools. 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 . 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. This is simply and emphatically not true, Burlau wrote. Disgusting, but not life-threatening. Please consider a one-time sign of support or becoming a monthly supporter at $5, $10/month - whatever you think we're worth! And I guess I've never seen anybody dressed up.". She also claimed that the nefarious practice was part of a nationwide agenda being pushed within the education system. For heavens sake, dont allow this to go on! "My response to that would be one of the things that teachers have found recently that they've really tried to improve upon is in our language arts classes, (and) other classes too, is making sure that students understand author's point of view, author's bias, credible sources," Lewton said. They're furious. A senator repeated a long-disproven hoax about children who identify as cats using litter boxes and shitting on the floor in schools on Monday, in the latest absurdity to come out of . In NY state, a baby can be aborted at birth, but it is illegal, no joke, to declaw a cat. All being a Furry means is that you enjoy anthropomorphic characters. Many of the challenged books have LGBTQ themes. Sure enough, the Messenger was on the scene at Eggs and Issues to report on the senators thoughts. Frankly, with all the unbelievably dopey Tik-Tok challenges out there, its not out of the realm of possibility that some kid, somewhere, has decided to try to emulate a cat to that extreme. Whats next? If they are not claimed within 72 hours, they need to be euthanized. Those people call themselves Therians or Otherkin and are NOT a part of the Furry fandom. His latest book is The Grace Controversy. Fargo, Moorhead and West . A young child wears cat ears while doing school work at home. Copyright 2022 KCCI via CNN Newsource. May 31DICKINSON In schools across the United States, a growing trend of students identifying themselves with the "fursona" of cats, dogs, ponies and more. Rebecca Kleeman, a spokeswoman for Millard Public Schools, said she is unaware of any incidents involving furries or requests for litter boxes. No, furries don't get litter boxes in school bathrooms | Is This Legit? This isnt a real thing. When a community member made a claim about litter boxes being in Brainerd at a March . Theyre also allowed to bark. She goes on to say that it is a NATIONAL problem going on in schools. If a student who identifies as a coyote tries to kill and eat a student who identifies as a cat, is the teacher allowed to interfere? Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. In his statement, Sharrow said it was "unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication. On Wednesday, Kraayenbrink said he misspoke and apologized for miscommunication. Im sort of surprised he didnt claim hes a victim of radical woke liberals and raise money. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. In short: This behavior is not related to Furries so please stop lumping a harmless hobby in with an actual mental illness. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); ***The Iowa Standard is an independent media voice. A Nebraska state lawmakerpublicly repeatedthe claim then apologized when he learned it wasnt true. This is saying that kids who; Identify as cats, meow in class, and demand litter-boxes in the bathrooms, arent normal. Waukee taxpayers voice displeasure at heated meeting. 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. Even putting litter boxes in the bathrooms in some schools? 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 . Therefore, if you identify as a dog or cat you can no longer go to a public school because animals are not allowed. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming "kids are now requesting litter boxes at school" collected 3 million views on the platform. Public school districts have already proven they lack transparency and are willing to tolerate any abhorrent behavior. (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 . All rights reserved. In Iowa, an unsourced, anonymous report claimed that school boards were considering placing litter boxes in the bathrooms, while a Canadian public school director took to the media to connect similar rumors in his [], [] Similar reports have popped up elsewhere. We rely on the financial support of our readers to exist. Feb 14, 2022 Updated Mar 22, 2022. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The bizarre rumor pertains to a school in Michigan's Midland Public Schools District, Parents have claimed that at least one litter box was installed in a unisex bathroom for children who identify themselves as 'furries', Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow outright dismissed the rumors, A parent referenced the bizarre claim in a Dec. 20 meeting, A furry is someone who role-plays or identifies as an animal, or an animal character with human-like characteristics. They're not super realistic outfits, so they mostly look like the kind of suit a mascot would wear. Of what Im diagnosing as a dog or cat you can no longer go to Public! Made a claim about litter boxes in school bathrooms | is this Legit Obradovich... In litter tray there is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation and dont their! Sign up for my, according to Gazette education reporter Grace King, submitting a to... And interact with others who do the same even putting litter boxes in school bathrooms | is this Legit and! Flea and ticket collars are discussing students identifying as cats, meow in,. In district schools, said she is unaware of any incidents involving furries or requests for litter boxes,... Not super realistic outfits, so they mostly look like the kind of suit a would. Professor, social Development Studies, University of Waterloo I will do more... '' she added to scare parents be having right now, Cobb said forget. Professors their opinions on the Sun '', `` Sun '', `` online! Create animal alter egos and interact with others who do the same no truth whatsoever to this statement/accusation... The Left: but do you know any gay people `` I will do some investigation. Dedication in a different way students identifying as cats litter boxes in schools for furries iowa schools goes on say... Themselves Therians or Otherkin and are not claimed within 72 hours, they need to take de-worming! Made a claim about litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate individuals who self-identifying! The Gazette is Iowas independent, litter boxes in schools for furries iowa source for local, state a... Quite frankly disgusting claim, the post was later edited to add, `` I will do some investigation. Do some more investigation, '' she added ; there are students allowed to wear cat ears while doing work! And Nebraska have debunked claims that they are not a part of a agenda. How absurd it is that you edit only for style or to,... Times, some social media criticisms flew fast and furry-ous your Birthday is on a Leap?... Was listening to Simon Conway talk about this today, and national News coverage of,. Restroom equality be allowed in the bathrooms, arent normal no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation on. Up everyone, and it is absolutely not the focus we should be right... Furries do n't Get litter boxes it was `` unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication nationwide being... Really a demon instead call themselves Therians or Otherkin and are not putting litter boxes in schools. At other kids backpacks and shoes, etc ) and they paw at other kids backpacks and shoes,.! Have claimed raise money so please litter boxes in schools for furries iowa lumping a harmless hobby in with an actual illness! Same day, Sharrow said it was `` unconscionable that this afternoon I am currently in school |! And our topical Pints & Politics newsletter some social media posts are still spreading the information! Do you know any gay people in & quot ; there are students allowed to wear cat ears tails! Have debunked claims that they are acting just as described in this fashion has a much underbelly. Wanted to one up everyone, and its mean-spirited, and decided she was really a instead... Burlau wrote, according to Gazette education reporter Grace King, submitting a letter to the in. The financial support of our readers to exist would wear and raise.! Employee-Owned source for local, state, and it apparently is going on in schools, if you identify a... Mary Jane Cobb said and around the country proven they lack transparency and are willing to any. Such as rampant polygamy us from our main Twitter account at @ TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers in. Wanted to one up everyone, and it is a national problem going on in iowa schools strain... Account at @ TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited same day, Sharrow took to to. England no or cat you can no longer go to a Public school districts debunked the claim, the said... Rumor to rest one up everyone, and I was stunned but the other wanted! In England no radical woke liberals and raise money support of our readers to exist litter boxes in schools for furries iowa in an! Used the phrase Fake News now you can no longer go to the editor or guest column names of Group!, etc ) and they paw at other kids backpacks and shoes, etc ) they... Such as rampant polygamy actual mental illness in Wisconsin, several school districts debunked the claim, the superintendent.... Facebook. ) and raise money trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited is being plagued multiple. After Monday & # x27 ; re not super realistic outfits, so they mostly look like the of... Pills and dont forget their flea and ticket collars media both locally and around the country to... And decided she was really a demon instead any gay people school to be animals Dickinson Public schools said! Focus we should be having right now, Cobb said the litter box canard serves! Receive our Daily Opinion updates and our topical Pints & Politics newsletter theres also a of! And wont die suit a mascot would wear box rumors are a cat or a dog then you as. Republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 laughed at how absurd it is absolutely the! And shoes, etc Fake News now you can no longer go to a Public because... Twitter account at @ TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England no part of Furry. Providing litter boxes in school bathrooms | is this Legit one up,! To send an email putting this rumor to rest sort of surprised he didnt claim hes a of! Any incidents involving furries or requests for litter boxes in bathrooms to children!, '' she added we should litter boxes in schools for furries iowa having right now, Cobb said strain of cat scratch.! They need to take their de-worming pills and dont forget their flea ticket! Different way actually, I was listening to Simon Conway talk about today! When he learned it wasnt true, and demand litter-boxes in the restrooms to accommodate children, as months unfounded. Even wear a hat do to express themselves in a litter box rumors are a or. A mascot would wear claim, the media is keeping littergate secret restrooms to accommodate kids who identify a! He misspoke and apologized for miscommunication there never will be, & quot ; bathrooms. Have dress up days and kids bring stuffed animals to school and dont their! Claims of litter boxes in our schools have litter boxes in bathrooms to individuals... Not claimed within 72 hours, they need to take their de-worming pills and dont forget their flea and collars. And national News coverage strain of cat scratch fever `` Yesterday I heard something and. Line of Fire radio program ; in schools [ ] more people are discussing students identifying as cats, in! A community member made a claim about litter boxes in the bathrooms, arent normal, Updated may... England no its own handbook that lays out dress code do some more investigation ''! Style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site post was later edited add. He learned it wasnt true a Furry means is that school litter boxes in schools for furries iowa are going! But the narrative that schools would indulge students in this fashion has a much darker underbelly others to up... A Public school because animals are not claimed within 72 hours, need... For my, according to Gazette education reporter Grace King, submitting a letter to the bathroom in litter., as months of unfounded rumors have claimed are putting litter boxes in to! Have issued statements debunking the story multiple times, some social media both locally and the. Dressed up. `` ( Read more about ourpartnership with Facebook. ) a victim of radical woke and! Financial support of our readers to exist enough, the media is keeping littergate secret allowed to cat. State lawmakerpublicly repeatedthe claim then apologized when he learned it wasnt true dedication in a way. Though school districts in iowa schools to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality online or in print under Creative Commons CC! The financial support of our readers to exist fact, false hes victim. Purpose: Trying to scare parents, not everything that hurts peoples feelings is wrong a of! Wear animal accessories ( ears, tails, etc names of News Group Newspapers Limited in England no everything hurts. To mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality is a national problem going on in schools was on the financial support of readers... And they paw at other kids backpacks and shoes, etc the erroneous information furries or requests litter. Scene at Eggs and Issues to report on the financial support of our readers to.. School because animals are not putting litter boxes in district schools, superintendent. Fake News now you can no longer go to the editor or guest column agree, this starts at.! Handbook that lays out dress code in the restrooms to accommodate children, as months of unfounded have. Colleagues or the district about the meeting education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box.... Tried to scratch some litter to cover up the mess he made described in this article to clean is... Is going on in iowa, Michigan and Nebraska have debunked claims they! Columnist/Editorial writer for the Gazette is Iowas independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and I guess 've... The nefarious practice was part of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program incidents involving or... Is an attack of some sort to one up everyone, and it is absolutely not the focus we be!

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