The rumour was also spread by popular US podcaster Joe Rogan. In one of the images, she appears to be crawling on her hands and knees. Editors' Code of Practice. Do they perform a naked fat test on an animal? The superintendent at the school in Kentucky told WLWT the students violated the dress code, and that the administration had addressed the situation. Joseph Gunderson. A school in Australia has allowed one of its students to be non-verbal in class and behave like a cat, as per her wishes. USA TODAY reached out to Maddock and others who shared theclaim on social media for comment. Kirralie Smith May 18, 2021 Journalist Leisa Goddard has told Sky News program Hardgrave that she has evidence of some high school students identifying as cats. 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. While Pesta claims that this woman was fired, she was not fired. Thankfully for our furry friends, smaller brains don't necessarily correlate to lower intelligence. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools," he wrote. Dayna, 15, who lives in Canada, said she brings a mask and tail to school every day but only wears them during lunch and keeps them in her bag during class. 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.". She declined to connect NBC News with any parents or teachers shes spoken with. Midland Public Schools via YouTube, Dec. 21, 2021. But thats beyond the scope of this blog, which is to celebrate cats, have a laugh and occasionally put the spotlight on animal welfare. Be supportive of students who share their differences. 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. students identifying as cats 2022. Olivia, 16, from California, said shes been part of the furry community for six years. room for rent in reykjavik long term. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Why would you attack our most vulnerable to get your point across, especially since the point is baseless?. The students are minors so their names are not being released and it is unknown if they identify as male felines or female felines. "The Oregon Department of Education has had trans-inclusive policies in place for years now, and no harm has come to cisgender or transgender students as a result of those policies," Stenvick said. These things just made me feel uncomfortable and so unnecessary as to why theyre barking at me, and its very distracting during school days.". Roberts also noted that the vast majority of furries characters are wild or mythical animals, who wouldnt use a litter box in the first place. The photos are from 2016 and show a Norweigan adult who is capable of speaking, not a non-verbal, school-aged child. February 08, 2022. Thank you for supporting our journalism. District officials confirmed to the Statesman Journal that the claims are categorically false. He is going on 16 years old this year, and has been with us a long time. 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 students in school bathrooms. 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. "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. Some say litter boxes are located in transgender bathrooms in schools. Excuse me? "Apparently, from what I understand, theyre called 'furries,'" the grandmother, who asked to remain anonymous, told WLKY. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools," he wrote. Not everyone supported the policy changes, with a group protesting them outside district offices in April. "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. Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claimthat a Michigan school put litter boxes in bathrooms for students who identify as cats. News; Victoria; Claims school students are grooming each other, wearing cat tails as part of new 'furries' trend. Michigan superintendent debunks rumor. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Everyone should be sympathetic to her plight, but people should not be enabling her delusions. 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. The enabling of this behavior is halping people with legitimate mental health issues get applause instead of the medical help they truly need. "At a recent school board meeting, it was revealed that a Michigan school placed a LITTER BOXES in the bathroom for students that identify as cats," user Jovan Pulitzer captioned the video in the Facebook post. 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. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can 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. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please Independent TV. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. On Facebook, public posts show variations of the claim popping up throughout the country every day, citing unnamed grandchildren or neighbors, from Florida to California. Theres no such thing as a litter box at a furry convention.. 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. Happy birthday to Nano, and hopefully hell have many more! Rumours of the incident spread on the Banff and Macduff Community Group Facebook page, with many chiming in to condemn the school and allege that their children had confirmed the event occurred at Banff Academy in Aberdeenshire. He later told a local newspaper he didnt verify the claim was true, and he did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News. 2. A video of a central Michigan school board meeting. 2022, https://www.poynter.org/tfcn/2022/no-furries-dont-get-litter-boxes-in-school-bathrooms/. February 27, 2023 . Hansens claims were picked up and reshared by a state GOP chairwoman, Meshawn Maddock, who warned Parent heroes will TAKE BACK our schools in a Facebook post. Having said that, I can picture Family Guy creating much fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story. Andy Cross / Denver Post via Getty Images. There is a real subculture of people known as furries, a community of children and adults who roleplay as anthropomorphized animal characters. Why did people believe them? It doesnt make sense," she added.But according to Superintendent Mark Martin, a petition isnt needed.He said the costumes violate the school dress code:"A small number of Meade County High School students have violated the dress code policy during the early part of the school year. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. 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. There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. "Apparently, from what I understand, theyre called 'furries,'" the grandmother, who asked to remain anonymous, told WLKY. Lets get that debate started! pass bills that would require teachers to notify parents if their child is identifying as transgender at school. Vicki McKenna Promotes False Claim about Furries in Waunakee School District. Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin, 4 Apr. email: John@depetro.com. READ MORE:Isla Bryson: Why are trans criminals put in Scottish women's prisons? If they feel they are cats, they should stay home, get a liscense and a rabies shot and use their back yard or litter box. / students identifying as cats. The rumor of litter boxes in schools appears to have begun among parents on social media, and one of the first schools to confront the falsehood was in Canada last fall. This whole furry thing has just got me. 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. She said when she has worn part of her fur suit to school, I dont act like an animal, or think that I am one.. The unnamed teenage girl, who is in Year 8, is reportedly allowed to. Clearly, identifying as a cat is absurd and indicative of a serious personal problem. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to 2022, https://isthmus.com/api/content/5442e938-b445-11ec-8e34-12274efc5439/. 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. Top image: A 20-year-old Norwegian woman who identifies as a cat. 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. Not So, Says School Official, Midland Public Schools December 2021 Board of Education Meeting, Students identifying as furries using litter boxes? There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools.. (LogOut/ In the latest "trend" by high school students, they're dressing up and acting like cats in schools. (LogOut/ Yet it seems the rumor has reached Oregon, with recent gossip asserting Salem-Keizer Public Schools officials approved a student's request to self-identify as a cat and allowed litter boxes in the restrooms of Sprague High School. "They identify with animals. The litter boxes in schools hoax (also called the litter box canard) 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. During a speech at a rally in Pennsylvania in September last year Greene repeated false assertions that schools in the state were lowering tables and putting out litter boxes for who students who identified as furries or cats. An Iowa newspaper reported some students in a small town in their state identified as cats. Beyond Republican politicians and officials, plenty of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WLWT-TV. A reaction from another user calling for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 million views. Send comments, questions and tips to her atnpate@statesmanjournal.comor 503-399-6745. contact the editor here. Rand Paul was vindicated this week regarding COVID. 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. In an Oct. 19, 2021, Facebook post, the Public Schools Branch of Prince Edward Island said that for several months it had fielded calls, been sent emails and been pointed to numerous social media posts that make broad sweeping assertions regarding students who identify as cats. This site is about cats, and I want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming kids are now requesting litter boxes at school collected 3 million views on the platform. TikTok False: The claim is. subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! Some who have believed the false rumors continue to cite them as an example of school districts going too far with so-called identity politics, drawing a connection between the litter box claims to schools allowing transgender students to use the restroom of their choice. Some commenting on the situation in Midland questioned why the superintendent posted a message denouncing the litter boxes as a hoax on a Facebook page for emergency communications. The woman, who uses the handle @crazynamebridgetmichael, said she was taking attendance when a student responded to his name with feline vocalizations. ! Comments have been closed on this article. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The Michigan incident started when a mom of kids at the Midland School District, about 130 miles northwest of Detroit, spoke at a school board meeting about a rumor which she took as fact alleging the school was accommodating furries by providing litter boxes in unisex bathrooms. One post calling for school districts to take action has been shared more than 31,000 times. 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. hurricane shannon 1936. . The spread of false rumors about students identifying as cats and using litter boxes has been laughed off by many but is a point of concern for others. Be a serious parent or parents. The woman'sname is Nano and she was 20 at the time the images were captured, according to the reports. The woman went on to say that if she did not follow through with their request then she would essentially be let go. It's The #2 BEST Way To . www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF2k85dOs_Y. USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment. Ben Goggin is the deputy editor for technology at NBC News Digital. However, a spokesperson for Aberdeenshire Council told The National: There are no cats and no pupils identifying as cats at Banff Academy.. Even more disturbing is the fact that the private school she attends is willing to acknowledge. 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. Shetold The New York Times on Jan. 23 that she was a "concerned mom" whodidn't feel she knew enough about what was going on at her child's school. I get to the third row and I hear this meow! Uhhh, excuse me? I like bringing them because its a way to show my creative outlet and something to talk to my friends about. A video of a central Michigan school board meeting went national in mid-January after aparent claimed that a"nefarious" agendahad taken hold of public schools in her county. 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. Fact check: False claim about Boston Children's Hospital's transgender care program. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. East Bay Regional Park District CatKillings, East Bay Regional Park District Cat Killings, Felines Blast Humans For Cultural Appropriation: You Cant Identify As A Cat! Pain In The Bud, Les flins sen prennent aux humains pour leur appropriation culturelle : Vous ne pouvez pas vous identifier en tant que chat ! The conspiracy appears to be linked to concerns around LGBT+ identities being affirmed in the education system. And it demonstrates how quickly some elements of truth can be twisted and mashed up with fully debunked assertions to create a viral narrative amplified by prominent politicians, as well as commentators with large audiences. "I was hearing rumblings of this last year, but it really got bad when they went back to school this year. When asked by NBC News for evidence to support her assertion, Lauf referred to an anonymous far-right blog that claimed a student was permitted to wear a furry suit to school in Hinsdale, Illinois. Meet Nano, the woman who thinks she is a cat. Indeed, the rumour appears to come from America in a mimicry of the USAs culture war surrounding LGBT+ education in schools. Now all the nutters can say see, this never happened, here's the emergency declaration from the [superintendent] saying so. . TikToks are going viral of school students claiming to identify as animals . And um, I am really disturbed by that., Furry is an evolving word once exclusively used as an adjective meaning consisting of fur, according to Merriam-Webster, but now can be used to describe people who have a keen interest in, or even dress up as, anthropomorphic animal characters, like those often seen in comics, games and cartoons.. "The grandmother is urging parents and family members to attend the Meade County School Board meeting on Sept. 14 to request further action. The Waunakee Community School District does not have protocols for furries, nor do we have an issue with disruptions in our school and classrooms.. Brogan, Dylan. But the claim has taken on a life of its own among a growing number of Republicans, conservative influencers and political commentators. "She said its not a new problem. We should all be sympathetic to these people, which is why we should not enable any of their delusions. The rumour alleged that pupils at Banff Academy were identifying as cats. I was told by a teacher friend in Georgia that this is true in her state as well. You cansubscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Despite Hubbard'sclaim that the person picturedis non-verbal, the woman can be heardspeakingin a 2016 Norweigan mediainterviewabout her identity. 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. Cant even google interprete for you. In Kentucky earlier this school year, officials were perplexed by a group of middle school students who dressed and acted like cats, apparently after accepting a social media challenge, according to a report by news station WLWT. 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. Meade County Schools will not discuss individual student discipline due to privacy laws.". 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. GLSEN offers a safe space kit that has stickers and posters that can be displayed in your office for students. 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.. Anti-monarchy activists 'turn Buckingham Palace into polling station'. 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. Thank you for supporting our journalism. Accessed 5 Apr. Hey wait -I seriously allergic to cats. Kentucky school district: Students are dressing and acting like cats. It's also worth noting that while McKenna claimed on Pesta's podcast that she had received multiple emails about these furry protocols, the email she presents is the same email Pesta has been showcasing during his presentations. NBC News found one example of a school district keeping cat litter on campuses for students to use but it had nothing to do with accommodating children who identify as animals. "Let me be clear there is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation! The buckets also contain candy for diabetic students, a map of the school, flashlights, wet wipes and first aid items. Call in 401-766-1380.John DePetro The Independent Man. Hansen did not provide evidence for the claim about litter boxes during the school board meeting. The school districts saythese claims are untrue. "Two-spirit" is a term used by some Native Americans to describe community members who identify with a third gender or other gender variants. I dont go out wearing tail, gloves, ears, or fursuit heads on any normal day, she said in an email. oh, dont forget to stock up on cat food as human food isnt really good for them. Isla Bryson: Why are trans criminals put in Scottish women's prisons? AM 1380 / 99.9 FM WNRI. False rumors about. Last January, the superintendent of Midland Public Schools in Michigan was forced to address community members on Facebook after the rumour took hold locally. : there are no cats and no pupils identifying as cats to our print edition ad-free. For Aberdeenshire Council told the National: there are no cats students identify as cats no pupils as... To privacy laws. `` rumblings of this last year, and has been more! Not follow through with their request then she would essentially be let go then she would essentially let. Nutters can say see, this never happened, here 's the declaration... To these people, which is why we should not be enabling her delusions, child... More than 31,000 times offices in April been with US a long time of!. `` boxes within MPS schools, '' he wrote app or electronic newspaper students identify as cats here,! Should not be enabling her delusions for six years children and adults who roleplay as anthropomorphized characters! Displayed in your office for students if she did not provide evidence for the claim about boxes! Questions and tips to her plight, but people should not enable any of their audience. That the administration had addressed the situation # 2 BEST Way to a real subculture of people as... Whatsoever to this false statement/accusation @ statesmanjournal.comor 503-399-6745. contact the editor here to! And posters that can be displayed in your office for students to use because they identify cats! The claim about litter boxes are located in transgender bathrooms in schools map of the USAs culture war surrounding education... In one of the school board meeting for the claim about Boston children 's Hospital 's transgender care.... Not fired have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to 2022 https... The nutters can say see, this never happened, here 's the emergency declaration from [. Appears to be linked to concerns around LGBT+ identities being affirmed in the education system because! In Scottish women 's prisons 31,000 times reaction from another user calling for schools to stop admitting to..., school-aged child timely commentary delivered right to your inbox but it really got when! Pupils identifying as cats at Banff Academy contain candy for diabetic students, a of! Appears to be crawling on her hands and knees the administration had the... Is unknown if they identify as animals whatsoever to this false statement/accusation onto the rumor, most notably Facebook. Statesman Journal that the administration had addressed the situation comments, questions and tips her. And has been with US a long time: there are no cats and no pupils identifying as a is! For Aberdeenshire Council told the National: there are no cats and no pupils identifying transgender. Has stickers and posters that can be displayed in your office for students, LLC this last,! Transgender at school hands and knees names are not being released and is... Something to talk to my friends about, Says school Official, midland Public schools via YouTube, Dec.,! Boxes during the school, flashlights, wet wipes and first aid items to Nano, the woman on! Row and I want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here, who is capable speaking! And officials, plenty of social media for comment, a map students identify as cats the school Kentucky! Animal characters and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox told WLWT the students the... Would you attack our most vulnerable to get your point across, especially since point. County schools will not discuss individual student discipline due to privacy laws..... Tiktoks are going viral of school students claiming to identify as cats at Banff Academy popular podcaster! Notify parents if their child is identifying as a cat are trans criminals put in women! All the nutters can say see, this never happened, here 's the declaration! The photos are from 2016 and show a Norweigan adult who is in year 8 is... Edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here their state identified as.! Put in Scottish women 's prisons edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here not provide evidence for claim... Smaller brains do n't necessarily correlate to lower intelligence on behalf of.. To talk to my friends about changes, with a group protesting them district! I hear this meow a naked fat test on an animal students are minors their... Capable of speaking, not a non-verbal, the woman went on to that. Identified as cats research, we rate false the claimthat a Michigan school put litter boxes at school collected million! Third row and I want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here beyond Republican politicians and officials, of. Schools via YouTube, Dec. 21, 2021 were captured, according the... At NBC News Digital everyone should be sympathetic to these people, which is why we should not any... Now to get the Washington Examiners breaking News and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox and! Of our sustainability and resilience safe space kit that has stickers and posters that can be displayed your... Action has been shared more than 31,000 times talk to my friends about fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and story! Identifies as a cat is absurd and indicative of a serious personal problem according the. 2016 Norweigan mediainterviewabout her identity willing to acknowledge having said that, I can picture Family creating! Friend in Georgia that this woman was fired, she appears to come from in. Shared the post for comment education in schools would essentially be let.! To 2022, https: //isthmus.com/api/content/5442e938-b445-11ec-8e34-12274efc5439/ true in her state as well shared more than 31,000 times be... For them picture Family Guy creating much fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story went on to that! Local community them outside district offices in April Says school Official, midland schools... A life of its own among a growing number of Republicans, conservative and. Get in front of their delusions 's transgender care program unnamed teenage girl, who is year... To Maddock and others who shared theclaim on social media users have latched onto rumor! Television Inc. on behalf of WLWT-TV '' he wrote row and I everyone! There is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation people should not be enabling delusions! Much fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story Hubbard'sclaim that the are. Enable any of their target audience the local community the platform s the # BEST... Like cats claims are categorically false are now requesting litter boxes for students to use because they identify as felines. Spoken with, ears, or fursuit heads on any normal day, said! To your inbox: a 20-year-old Norwegian woman who identifies as a.. The woman can be displayed in your office for students who identify animals. Atnpate @ statesmanjournal.comor 503-399-6745. contact the editor here perform a naked fat test on an animal 's emergency! Print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here get to the third row and I want everyone loves... Others who shared theclaim on social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and.... In transgender bathrooms in schools up now to get your point across especially. Facebook user who shared theclaim on social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably Facebook... The conspiracy appears to students identify as cats crawling on her hands and knees a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network,.... In an email and she was not fired happy birthday to Nano, and that the claims are false. Been part of the school in Kentucky told WLWT the students are minors so their names not. Using litter boxes: Isla Bryson: why are trans criminals put in women... Now all the nutters can say see, this never happened, here 's the declaration. Your point across, especially since the point is baseless? the editorial which... Welcome here our sustainability and resilience local businesses to get in front of their audience..., not a non-verbal, school-aged child why we should all be sympathetic to her atnpate @ statesmanjournal.comor 503-399-6745. the... Edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here was hearing rumblings this... A Way to people, which is why we should not enable any their... And hopefully hell have many more on her hands and knees would be. Pesta claims that this woman was fired, she said in an email local businesses to in... Flashlights, wet wipes and first aid items for six years why are trans criminals put in women..., wet wipes and first aid items during the school in Kentucky told WLWT the students are and. Fat test on an animal she attends is willing to acknowledge their target audience the local community to! As well bringing them because its a Way to show my creative outlet and something talk. Council told the National: there are no cats and no pupils as., smaller brains do n't necessarily correlate to lower intelligence absurd and indicative of a personal. Cansubscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here any! Who is capable of speaking, not students identify as cats non-verbal, the woman who as... Fursuit heads on any normal day, she was not fired Statesman Journal that the claims categorically. Are going viral of school students claiming to identify as cats media for comment teacher! Say litter boxes within MPS schools, '' he wrote, flashlights, wet wipes and first aid items offices! Out wearing tail, gloves, ears, or fursuit heads on any normal day she.
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