But that didnt stop Meshawn Maddock, a leader of the Michigan Republican party, from sharing it on Facebook and spreading it further, according to reporting from the New York Times. If you go to France and you ask, What are the kids studying? the ministry of education can tell you, Today were going to be studying this geometry and this history, Galguera says. A Facebook post says schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries. Don't have a commenting profile? Screenshot. He later retracted his comments after finding out they werent true, according to reporting by the Associated Press. You cant really go a day on social media without negative comments, she said. What are we doing to our kids? In the end, Plante wrote, furries are no different than anyone else they have the same need to belong, need to have a positive and distinct sense of self, and a need for self-expression.. Fri., January 20, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET. This is absurd. Bunny Hawkins wears the outfit she works in at Walmart, complete with bunny tail, mask and Walmart vest. What are the top sellers at the Northeastern University bookstore this holiday season? Still, the untrue gossip is quite hurtful. Tomas Galguera, interim dean of the School of Education at Mills College at Northeastern University in Oakland, California, says the rumor reflects parental concerns about what is being taught in schools that are twisted into paranoia and amplified by the internet. It becomes a distraction from what it is that were trying to do on a daily basis, he said. Brittany Rose Published: May 19, 2022. Thu., January 19, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Heres why. NBC included the information in a report saying the kitty litter box rumors have become a GOP talking point in states including Colorado, Minnesota and Tennessee. It is a constant suspicion of schools that they are not doing what they should be doing, which gives rise to all these crazy ideas such as the notion there are going to be litter boxes in schools.. Its about expressing her femininity as a transgender woman, she said. Already registered? These rumors put us at risk of being hurt or bullied.. Its fascinating to see smart, common sense people get sucked into the narrative and actually believe its happeningthat we have students dressing up like animals, that we have litter boxes in our schools, Brenner said. Pratt belongs to the Facebook group Furries of Portland Maine, which has 252 members. At the same time, furries such as Joe Strike are taking the high road, and believe that, over time, the community will benefit the increasingly de-stigmatized and mainstream subculture. "It is unconscionable that this afternoon I . Bunny Hawkins displays her Walmart nametag. With each hoax and rumor come more distractions for school administrators. In other words, the litter box myth is dumb, but its not benign. Pratt, who works at Bull Moose headquarters in Portland as the marketing/social media manager, has attended more than 100 conventions. She even changed her name to reflect her inner identity. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming kids are now requesting litter boxes at school collected 3 million views on the platform. There was also the unsubstantiated report that tables in a Texas school cafeteria were being lowered to allow furries to more easily eat without utensils or their hands (i.e. University of Waterloo apporte des fonds en tant que membre fondateur de TheConversation CA. Its unclear exactly where the litter box hoax came from. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools.. Forensic genealogy starred in apprehension of Idaho murder suspectbut was it necessary. Maddock did not respond to requests for comment. In fact, the fandom has been studied and analyzed by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project. The past few conventions have been canceled because of the COVID pandemic, but a convention featuring furries, comics, fantasy and gaming is scheduled for this coming summer, from June 23 to 26, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in South Portland. The inclusive nature of the furry fandom means that, for many furries, its a safe place where they can be their most authentic selves. She has a bunny outfit, and her employer, Walmart, allows her to wear a bunny tail and mask while working. What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? A Michigan school district has debunked a wild claim that a school provided litter boxes for students who identified as furries people who dress up as anthropomorphic animals. C. May 5, . Kids who identify as furries get a litter box in the school bathroom, Ms. Maddock wrote in a Facebook post sharing the video of the board meeting. There are an estimated 250,000 people in the US who identify as furries, a subculture whose members enjoy dressing up as cartoonish animals, sometimes as a sexual fetish but more often as a fun escape. This Furry Drama is FALSE and hilariously blown out of proportion so let's talk about it! Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel. I think its an agenda that has been started by a small minority group and a political wing, said Brenner, who emphasized he was speaking about his own personal opinion and not on behalf of the district. Roberts said that in her research career, shes never heard of or seen an instance of a furry wanting a litter box. 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.". One post calling for school districts to take action has been shared more than 31,000 times. Similarly, furries might attend a furry convention, local meet-up or simply connect with like-others online, but they return to everyday life on Mondayjust like everyone else, Roberts says. I had not heard of this at all, she says. That is the case for Bunny Hawkins, who says that without her costume, shes not completely expressing herself. November 4, 2022. Will climate change make them worse? In his statement, Mr. Sharrow debunked the rumor as categorically false. Every school district that has been named by those 20 politicians said either to NBC News or in public statements that these claims are untrue. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Furries, a subculture of people who are interested in anthropomorphic animal characters and often dress up as them, are not directly connected to the LGBTQ community, but the hoax has still been used to ridicule LGBTQ students, Jentz said. Why do we have litter boxes in some of the school districts so kids can pee in them, because they identify as a furry? The American high school experience in 2021 is plagued by uncertainty in the face of an ongoing pandemic, aggro anti-mask dads, Tiktok drama, the usual academic hurdles, and furries. Some say litter boxes are located in transgender bathrooms in schools. 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. The superintendent of the school claims the woman's story is "not true". I just cant believe this is real, sputtered one incredulous commenter, while another wrote, Whats going on in this town?. This thing has gotten out of control with politicians just wanting to have a talking point, said John McDonald, former director of campus safety at Jefferson County schools, whos now a school security consultant. Were a small group of interdisciplinary professors who have studied furries and other fan groups for more than 15 years. While sex can certainly be a part of the furry fandom, the majority of furries are motivated by reasons of social belonging, not sexual motivations. For instance, in 2017, Scott Chamberlain, a councilman from New Milford, Conn., wasforced to resign when it came to light that he was a furry. As my colleague, Courtney Plante, says: For most folks, dehydration, lack of feeling or seeing anything, overheating and clumsiness are not conducive to sexual arousal. Young says she read that at least 20 Republican political candidates have mentioned the rumor. The claim is a local school district is putting litter boxes in . And data suggest that fantasy-themed activities such as wearing a fursuit can be part of a persons psychological well-being. This story has been shared 149,250 times. IE 11 is not supported. Roberts, an associate professor at Renison University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo in Canada, said that nearly all furries maintain distinct human personas and do not identify as animals. Research also indicates that a fursona can help facilitate interactions with others and result in more social confidence. The character you choose is known as your fursona. And according to Bunny, a fursona is sometimes just waiting to be acknowledged. And during a legislative hearing last month in Tennessee, two Republican state lawmakers discussed the growing crisis of public schools providing litter boxes for children who identify as cats, and claimed its happening across the state. Furries are a fandom, like anime, Star Trek or football. The second group has heard this same rumor at their own . The inclusive nature of the furry fandom means that, for many furries, its a safe place where they can be their most authentic selves. Some politicians issued warnings about children acting as cats during debates regarding school policies related to transgender and nonbinary youth. Parent heroes will TAKE BACK our schools.. Unionization, lawsuits and China: How will the video game industry adapt in 2023? Fursonas can be a safe, functional way for furries to explore who they are as people. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, put a litter box in one of its bathrooms for the kids that identify as cats,, I keep 7 rats as pets theyre not disgusting, I love them, I ordered a cute pair of boots online they were a mess when they arrived, I figured out the secret to getting perfect curls all you need is this kitchen item, I nursed my cheating husband back to health from severe brain trauma then he cheated again, International Anthropomorphic Research Project, forced to resign when it came to light that he was a furry, Meet Methuselah, the oldest living aquarium fish, Carole Baskin claims her dead husband found alive but no one noticed last year, I went to McDonalds drive-thru for lunch but left with bags of cash instead, Why 'sentimental' Tom Brady press conference has QB rival worried, Kardashians are confused, concerned about Kanye Wests new marriage, Jinger Duggar grew up ruled by fear in cult-like religious family, Sutton Stracke: I want to fight bossy ex-RHOBH co-star Lisa Rinna, Kitten born with same 'Zorro' mask as her father, Shakira allegedly discovered Gerard Piqu's cheating because of a jam jar. Awareness of what's occurring outside of school can be beneficialor a hierarchical hell in the wrong hands, Michael Fullan says. Its worth emphasizing that NBC News did identify one school district that kept cat litter on campuses for student use, but its a Colorado district the same district where the Columbine massacre occurred that approved the litter as part of go buckets to be used in the event of a school shooting. The "furry protocol" rumor is the newest wrinkle in a series of false claims concerning absurd behavior in schools. But the hoax still has a lasting impact during a time when schools need to be laser focused on solving staffing challenges and helping students regain their academic footing. The writer declined to reveal the source or sources because they reportedly spoke on the condition of anonymity and the information could not be confirmed. This story has been shared 178,212 times. Lead Stories has published debunks of similar claims made elsewhere in the United States that students are dressing like "furries" and asking for litter boxes in the restrooms. Create a free account to save your favorite articles, follow important topics, sign up for email newsletters, and more. Ive studied more than 40,000 furries from 70 different countries over a decade, she said. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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 . 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. We know sometimes information can get misunderstood and unfortunately, there can be disinformation out there, said Tracy Jentz, the communications and community engagement coordinator for the district and the north central region vice president for NSPRA. Without merit at all, says Lydia Young, teaching professor for Northeasterns Graduate School of Education and faculty lead for the teacher licensure program. Don Bolduc, Republican candidate for New Hampshire senator, is one of the latest conservative politicians to repeat the hearsay that . There Appears to Be No Truth Behind Maine Kids Using Litter Boxes at School. The academy tweeted that political candidates are welcome to visit the campus before making claims about what occurs here.. School board proposes banning furries after rumors of litter boxes in schools spread LGBTQNation 10/25/2022 Like 442 Comments | 778 A school board in North Carolina considered a. Customers get a kick out of it and kids really like it., Shes been a bunny for about a year, she said. But what about education? Jensen said. Im all for creativity and imagination, but when someone lives in a fantasy world and expects other people to go along with it, I have a problem with that, added Hansen, who defined furry as someone who identifies as a cat or a dog, whatever.. Brenner found the hoax in his school community to be purposefully deceitful and part of an overarching political agenda to sow distrust in public schools. Strike pointed out that only a small minority of furries even dress up as their fursonas. The post quickly went viral, racking up nearly 860,000 video views on Twitter. A. She attended her first furry event in 2016 and got her fursuit in 2020. Login. Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more. If you allow furries in school then students should be allowed to bring their German shepherd comfort animal. Furries are people who have an interest in anthropomorphism, which specifically refers to giving human characteristics to animals. Furry fandom? Even though they arent new, school hoaxes and rumors have become more political in recent years, said Cathy Kedjidjian, president of the National School Public Relations Association. But furries are often framed in a negative light. The four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year speak during a panel on Jan. 12 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Others wear partials. One school district was accused of putting cat litter boxes in school bathrooms for students who identify as "furries," but the superintendent of Michigan's Midland . Ben Goggin is the deputy editor for technology at NBC News Digital. Heres How Teachers Say It Did. There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. By 1987, there was sufficient interest by people desiring to dress up like their favorite animals to stage the first furry convention. 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. The rise of the litter box rumor shows the power of false claims that start on social media to shape political discourse. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Pursuit of the fursuit: The joys of being furry and making furfriends, Manage your Advertiser Democrat Subscription, Manage your Livermore Falls Advertiser Subscription, Manage your Franklin Journal Subscription, Manage your Rumford Falls Times Subscription, Manage Your Rangeley Highlander Subscription, Sun Media Groups Western Maine Weekly Subscriptions, Mark LaFlamme: Dead batteries and bruised tailbones, In a word: The long and short of well-known names, Harrison, West Paris kids are all in on winter, George Fox returns to Ukraine for third time, Its a new year, start fresh: reuse, recycle, reduce, Part 1, Katherines Bakery & Cafe expands, all the way up the street. In the U.S., some groups have the idea we are indoctrinating kids for all these extreme views, he says. The student claims these "furries"their classmatesare "growling, hissing, or even scratching and biting at other people.". Create one. Already have a commenting profile? "Furries" roleplay as anthropomorphized animal characters. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. We always want to be the ones to tell our story.. NSF official wants to catalyze research partnerships to tackle pressing societal challenges. The increasing political nature of the rumors prompted the Grand Forks school district in North Dakota to establish a Rumor Has It page on its website, which debunks false information about the district providing litter boxes for students and teaching critical race theory. Prior to the litter box rumors, furries were seen as sexual deviantsan idea that was reinforced by popular media that emphasized the sensational over facts. The kitty litter story was quickly found to be total nonsense but may have had more staying viral power in reaching many people whod never before heard of the alternative lifestyle some of whom may find they relate to it, said Strike, who dresses up as a suave Komodo dragon named Komos. There are reports of multiple cats, a gorilla and possibly a wolf furry being employed at BIW, the piece stated. 13, 2022 7:00 am, Updated: May. 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.. However, Strike believes examples such as these and the kitty litter tale are so extreme as to be pretty easy to laugh off while still raising awareness of the group. In late October, Don Bolduc, the Republican U.S. Senate nominee in New Hampshire, claimed schools were offering litter boxes for students who identified as cats and are part of the furries subculture. Why are we telling elementary kids that they get to choose their gender this week?
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