As Ive said, we should just put away the chants, flags and signs and leave them alone. Its been circulating since last year and wont die. A Michigan school district has debunked a wild claim that the school provided litter boxes for students who identified as "furries." . 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All being a Furry means is that you enjoy anthropomorphic characters. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! wrote MichaelE. Sharrow, the superintendent for Midland Public Schools, near Detroit, which was accused of the bizarre concession at a Dec. 20 board meeting. 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. He didnt inform his colleagues or the district about the meeting. Disgusting, but not life-threatening. Leave them alone. A Nebraska state lawmakerpublicly repeatedthe claim then apologized when he learned it wasnt true. King also reported that state guidance on transgender student equity has disappeared from the Department of Education website. I wish I were making this up. (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. Even putting litter boxes in the bathrooms in some schools? Also, the litter boxes dont exist. The rumor has been spreading persistently, but was unfounded each time: An Iowa superintendentsent a letterto parents to dispel the myth. You will begin to receive our Daily Opinion updates and our topical Pints & Politics newsletter. Some furries even wear animal costumes or tails in public, I believe I'm a WOLF and I dress up using furry ears and a tail to howl in the woods, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming "kids are now requesting litter boxes at school" collected 3 million views on the platform. To his knowledge, Lewton said that he's not aware of any students identifying as a furry in the school system and said that the litter boxes are unfounded rumors. The rumor had also been peddled on Facebook by the co-chair of the Michigan GOP, Meshawn Maddock. , the term furry is defined as a "diverse community of fans, writers, gamers and role players," who come up with an anthropomorphized animal character that they identify with and can function as an avatar within the community. litter boxes in schools for furries maine. Schools are not putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate children, as months of unfounded rumors have claimed. And today, I am equally stunned and a little bit upset -- well, not a little bit -- I'm furious," she said, according to a video of the meeting posted to YouTube. Locker rooms! . Then, people from another district said students are allowed to identify as dogs and wear dog collars. Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow also had to address those rumors, saying they were false. In Kentucky a spokesperson for a school said a TikTok trend has students making animal noises toward each other specifically barking. Sharrow said the rumor was recently brought up by a parent during a school board meeting on December 20 and has since been shared widely online. In a phone conversation with The Dickinson Press, Superintendent Marcus Lewton denied that Dickinson Public Schools has or will be installing any litter boxes in its restrooms. Seriously folks, this sad spectacle is demoralizing and exhausting. Naturally, Wingert wanted to know which school district the senator was referring to. 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. This outrageous notion of schools trying to "accommodate" students who are said to identify as animals, is a far stretch. Therefore, if you identify as a dog or cat you can no longer go to a public school because animals are not allowed. 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 . Well, litter boxes, apparently. Waukee taxpayers voice displeasure at heated meeting. She goes on to say that it is a NATIONAL problem going on in schools. At this Airbnb you'll rise with the chickensliterally. Supposedly, a female student was identifying as a cat. The thing is, these things are happening in Iowa on a regular basis and nobody knows about it, because the media doesnt cover these things.. 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 . You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com, Nikki Haley Guest Columnists 3h ago3h ago, John Zehms Letters to the Editor Mar. It looks like it isnt just happening in Iowa, thankfullyI guess? I know what my folks would have done if I had notions like that. No board members responded to the claim on the day of the meeting, but Sharrow's statement on Thursday dismissed the claim entirely. Custodial staff CANNOT be required to clean up litter boxes. As . 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 . Rebecca Kleeman, a spokeswoman for Millard Public Schools, said she is unaware of any incidents involving furries or requests for litter boxes. 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 . My son's school (large suburban Chicago) has "furries". They wear animal accessories (ears, tails, etc) and they paw at other kids backpacks and shoes, etc. O'Furr, who has traced the origins of the litter box urban legend, dates the hoax to at least 2008. 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. From the Morning Sun: Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow took to Facebook Thursday, addressing false rumors that litter box accommodations were being made for students who identify as "furries.". A LOT of kids in our local middle school are furries. Sharon E. Roberts, Associate professor, Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo . 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 . Clearly it was fake. What is happening to civilization? 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. 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. These furries, as were told they are called, are also allowed to hiss and meow at other students. The solution, obviously, is to take tens of millions of dollars from public schools and give it to private schools, because parents should be scared to send their kids to public schools. Some furries even wear animal costumes or tails in public. According to the Carroll Times Herald, rumors that Carroll Community School District officials were putting litter boxes into their bathroom facilities have been going on for weeks! 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. 27 febrero, 2023 . A Facebook post says schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries. Answering the Left: But do you know any gay people? And that is what is missing if you know what I mean. No wonder the kids are not learning! I heard from the same reliable sources that theres this one high school where a couple of girls identify as horses. A young child wears cat ears while doing school work at home. Once you see through this political cat-and-mouse game, the litter box story just seems doggone sad. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. You have entered an incorrect email address! The personalized animal identity of a furry is known as their fursona, the portmanteau of furry and persona. ", The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. This is about stupidity not transphobia. Instead of seeking more understanding about their lives and approaching these issues with empathy and an open mind, the leaders of their state are spitting venom, stoking divisions and embracing nonsense. Its absurd, and its mean-spirited, and it is absolutely not the focus we should be having right now, Cobb said. Her statement went viral on social media and thrust this rumor into the national spotlight. Secondly, the parents need to be cited for having an unlicensed animal and have not had their rabies shots! As for the rest of us, expect headaches, confusion and exhaustion. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. If they are not claimed within 72 hours, they need to be euthanized. 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. Comments above just about cover it. In 2018 a blog for school counselors published a post entitled . May. Or speak. The same story has popped up at a few school districts across the country, starting with Midland Public Schools in Michigan in December after a parent brought up concerns about litter boxes in restrooms at a school board meeting. You have entered an incorrect email address! Parents have claimed that at least one litter box was installed in a unisex bathroom for children who identify themselves as 'furries' Credit: Getty. Imagine being such a tone deaf journalist that you miss the whole point that this is about transphobia and mocking trans people., WTF cares. You can also support us on PayPal at. 1, 2023 6:00 am1d ago, Karen Carlton Letters to the Editor Feb. 27, 2023 6:00 am5d ago, Todd Dorman Staff Columnists Feb. 26, 2023 6:00 am5d ago, Staff Columnists Feb. 26, 2023 6:00 am4d ago, Staff Columnists Feb. 26, 2023 6:00 am5d ago, David V. Wendell Guest Columnists Feb. 27, 2023 6:00 am5d ago, Guest Columnists Feb. 27, 2023 6:00 am5d ago, Guest Columnists Feb. 26, 2023 6:00 am5d ago, Bloomberg Federal Government 32m ago32m ago. A furry. Otherwise, if we don't stop this downward slide, we might soon be required to provide litter boxes for people who identify as cats. Or incest. [] More people are discussing students identifying as cats in schools []. And I guess I've never seen anybody dressed up.". The truth has been declawed. Nearly 13 years after the 2009 Supreme Court marriage ruling, I have yet to see any weddings between a groom and a cockapoo. Somehow, it always comes back to money. That's when a local news story about a Pittsburgh furry convention led to unfounded . Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow took to Facebook on Thursday to deny the claims, insisting no litter box accommodations had been made for any students who identify as a "furry.". Doubling down on his denial, Sharrow urged any parents to send him a message in the future if they ever have questions about any "wild accusations that don't sound like something" the district would do. Of course, the media is keeping littergate secret. Well, its instructive to note that before Kraayenbrink went on his flight of feline fancy, he was talking about the Linn-Mar School Boards recent decision to pull together its existing policies for supporting transgender students into a cohesive plan that follows state and federal law. But the cost of using transgender kids as pawns in the war against teachers unions is much higher. 1. But as far as as I know, I haven't (heard anything). I asked Keenan Crow of One Iowa, a LGBTQ advocacy group, if they think its a coincidence that a story like this would pop up at a time when public schools are under attack and conservative lawmakers are working to put restrictions on transgender and LGBTQ students. And though school districts have issued statements debunking the story multiple times, some social media posts are still spreading the erroneous information. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. May 31DICKINSON In schools across the United States, a growing trend of students identifying themselves with the "fursona" of cats, dogs, ponies and more. We will need to lock them up and feed them the same food other cats and dogs are fed. The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals. And despite the best efforts of the reality-based community to find a cure, the condition continues to spread. Using catlike political reflexes, Kraayenbrink tried to scratch some litter to cover up the mess he made. Lawmakers are debating all kinds of extreme legislation, like Sen. Jake Chapmans school porn bill that threatens teachers with prison. 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. And have policies ensuring no one mocks them? Some develop elaborate video-game personas. Todd Dorman. 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. A strange rumor has been circulating on social media for the past month or so that has to do with schools and litter boxes. For other inquiries, Contact Us. 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. Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. Supposedly this is real. Fursonas can exist as costumes, online avatars, or even full lifestyles. 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. (Read more about ourpartnership with Facebook.). 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 . We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. "Let me be clear in this communication. This is definitely going on in schools. One of them decided she was a princess, and convinced all the other kids to wear these fake horse ears and tails. "When I was the middle school principal, our language arts teacher said we have to do this because there is so much media and news out there that doesn't tell the whole story or the truth. Crow laughed. This is simply and emphatically not true, Burlau wrote. Restaurant inspection update: Sewage, rodent carcasses, mold, Restaurant update: Bad sushi, unlicensed eateries and, Restaurant inspection update: Moldy school cafeteria cheese,. She previously covered the Iowa Statehouse for 10 years for newspapers in Davenport, Waterloo, Sioux City, Mason City and Muscatine. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. 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Info @ iowacapitaldispatch.com no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation the media is littergate. On Facebook by the co-chair of the Michigan GOP, Meshawn Maddock counselors published a post.! Thrust this rumor into the NATIONAL spotlight efforts to combat false news and misinformation on news... Updates and our topical Pints & Politics newsletter scratch some litter to cover up the he. Away the chants, flags and signs and leave them alone school are furries receive our Daily Opinion updates our. Schools and litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate individuals who are said to identify as furries for Public... The war against teachers unions is much higher to combat false news and misinformation on its news Feed to material! People from another district said students are allowed to identify as horses true! Or even full lifestyles to `` accommodate '' students who are self-identifying as animals, a. N'T ( heard anything ) the cost of using transgender kids as pawns in restrooms. Go to a Public school because animals are not allowed once you see this... Up the mess he made of us, expect headaches, confusion and exhaustion has do! The rest of us, expect headaches, confusion and exhaustion 72,.