do koalas have poisonous claws. In 2021 and 2022, various American conservative and far-right politicians and media personalities promoted the hoax in response to . The world continues to spiral down into the seemingly bottomless pit of insanity, as Bristol University issues official guidelines for staff in the correct use of pronouns for those who identify as "catgender," reports the Daily Mail. That same month, school board candidates in Arkansas and Tennessee made similar remarks, and Jennifer Benson, a school board member in Fargo, North Dakota, told a local news outlet children were wearing leashes to school and using litter boxes. Alternatively have them DNA tested. Beyond Republican politicians and officials, plenty of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok. 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. 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. McHugh deemed the current treatment of transgender children reckless and irresponsible. He also argued against allowing children to transition and equated the process to frontal lobotomies. He also stated that there would be negative long-term consequences of allowing children hormonal treatment and transitioning. We have excellent schools here. 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. Kentucky school district: Students are dressing and acting like cats. NBC News reported: A Nebraska state lawmaker apologized on Monday after he publicly cited a persistent but debunked rumor alleging that schools are placing litter boxes in school bathrooms to accommodate children who self-identify as cats. School provides litterbox for students who identify as cats? Surveys and pre-publication research from Furscience also indicate that the vast majority are LGBTQ and as many as a third are transgender. Having said that, I can picture Family Guy creating much fanfare with this fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story. The New York Times, USA TODAY, Politifact, Reuters and Snopes, among other publications, wrote articles confirming the claims were unfounded. This site is about cats, and I want everyone who loves cats to feel welcome here. However, many who shared the videoclaimed unequivocally that school administrators were responsible. If youre on the left, you might think parents who arent sophisticated news consumers are so paranoid about school curricula, theyd believe just about anything. A private school in Australia is reportedly supporting a young "non-verbal" student identifying as a cat. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. The school district called that blogs story completely inaccurate and not something it would permit. We have excellent schools here. Opponents said they believed the main purpose of the book was "to promote various agendas" related to the LGBTQ community in an attempt to "make it more acceptable in the mainstream. 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. - pattesdechat.com, Another Viral Story Claims A Student Identifies As A Cat Pain In The Bud, Cat On The Street: What Do You Think About Humans Identifying As Felines? MIDLAND, MI As the culture wars around gender identity ramp up, a school superintendent in central Michigan found it necessary to make a statement on social media that students who identify as cats wont have to use litter boxes. First, there was the news of Bruce Jenner transitioning to become Caitlyn Jenner. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. A Michigan school superintendent debunked the rumor after a video from a December school board meeting resurfaced in which a speaker airs concerns about students who "identify as cats." Lisa. Im sure you can appreciate the difference between internet bullshittery and a legitimate, verified instance of a school district making allowances for furries or putting litter boxes in school bathrooms. On the October 11 episode of his Joe Rogan Experience Spotify podcast, Rogan claimed that a school "had to install a litter box in the girls room because there is a girl who's a furry, who . Some say litter boxes are located in transgender bathrooms in schools. It is unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication, Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow wrote in a community message Thursday. The one thing thats certain, however, is that cats dont deserve to be in the middle of this mess. Despite Hubbard'sclaim that the person picturedis non-verbal, the woman can be heardspeakingin a 2016 Norweigan mediainterviewabout her identity. Psychologists say furries arent the deviants theyre sometimes represented to be. Kymera, 14, of Colorado, said being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a mascot. Ive studied more than 40,000 furries from 70 different countries over a decade, she said. Be a serious parent or parents. child/dog. TikTok False: The claim is. In one of the images, she appears to be crawling on her hands and knees. Opposing public figures is an emergency these days. someone pointed out. It's The #2 BEST Way To . News; Victoria; Claims school students are grooming each other, wearing cat tails as part of new 'furries' trend. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools," he wrote. 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. It doesnt make sense," she added. Furscience, the public face of a team of researchers who study the subculture. False rumors about. Accessed 5 Apr. Nebraska Lawmaker Apologizes for Debunked Litter Box Claim. NBC News, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/nebraska-lawmaker-apologizes-debunked-litter-box-claim-rcna21951. Thats the problem. 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. Accessed 5 Apr. The rumour alleged that pupils at Banff Academy were identifying as cats. Ultimately, when you allow people to transition or identify as something they are not, by enabling these mental health issues instead of trying to resolve them, the natural progression is for people to start identifying legitimately as other things, such as cats. Lisa Hansen asked other parents to join her to do some investigating into the policy, 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, Hansen told the Midland school board. Under a new state diversity policy, students may inform schools of how they identify and what pronouns to be used. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. By Anthony Brian Logan (ABL) January 24, 2022. These situations have been addressed consistently by administration and the dress code policy will continue to be implemented with fidelity. Good question! The school reportedly said in a statement that its students were demonstrating a range of issues from mental health, anxiety or identity issues. Its a safe bet that the girl identifying as a cat fits this description. Salem-Keizer in Februaryintroduced several new policieswith the goal of increasing the "safety, wellbeing, education and success" of transgender or nonbinary students. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Click here to sign up for our fact-check text chat. Since insurance wont cover vet visits, and I doubt most vets want to participate in the Im a cat delusion, Im thinking their options are limited to doctors. We parents arent sure what our schools are up to, she wrote in an email, according to the Times. READ MORE:Isla Bryson: Why are trans criminals put in Scottish women's prisons? Silver Honda CRV seen fleeing towards Manton Ave. Cranston stand off https://fb.watch/iZ0CaYIkSb/?mibextid=ykz3hl, Copyright John DePetro. The Waunakee Community School District does not have protocols for furries, nor do we have an issue with disruptions in our school and classrooms.. They should not be allowed to attend school as school is meant for humans. John DePetro Show 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The conspiracy appears to be linked to concerns around LGBT+ identities being affirmed in the education system. Three school-age furries told NBC News they have at times dressed up at school, typically wearing just part of their full costume such as a mask or gloves that look like paws, but theyd never heard of any furry ever asking for a litter box. "Apparently, from what I understand, theyre called 'furries,'" the grandmother, who asked to remain anonymous, told WLKY. Some children, she alleged, would only communicate in barks and hisses. Do your research. 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. The claim that the Waunakee school district had implemented furry protocols appears to have originated with an email sent to Pesta. "Let me be clear there is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation! Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. 2022. 2022 03 31 Dr Duke Pesta VFW Hartland. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WLWT-TV. 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. Some things in life, like cats, are too good to be muddied by Americas toxic ideological wars. As well as corroboration from a superintendent, principal or teacher who can say this is happening in their district. arguments have been used throughout history, such as comparing interracial and homosexual relationships to bestiality and pedophilia. USA TODAY reached out to Hansen for comment. The woman went on to say that if she did not follow through with their request then she would essentially be let go. Michigan Republican Party, archived Jan. 24. No Left Turn in Education, a Leading Anti-Critical Race Theory Group, Frequently Pushes Toxic Rhetoric in Media. Media Matters for America, https://www.mediamatters.org/education/no-left-turn-education-leading-anti-critical-race-theory-group-frequently-pushes-toxic. Many people are doing what amounts to an experiment on these young people without telling them its an experiment. 11:AM-2:PM 99.9 FM /AM 1380 MA, RI. I dont accept sponsored posts and I have a no-politics policy, even for politics-adjacent subjects like this. The enabling of this behavior is halping people with legitimate mental health issues get applause instead of the medical help they truly need. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. It is long past time to start rejecting this nonsense. I have never once heard a furry say they want to use a litter box, Kymera said. 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. We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. The spread of rumors about litter boxes has grown alongside other extreme and baseless rhetoric accusing LGBTQ people and educators of grooming children through lessons and policies on gender and sexuality. The next day, the popular conservative Twitter account Libs of TikTok tweeted the video of Hansen at the school board meeting. Woman who thinks she's a cat trapped in a human body 'hisses at dogs' and has tried to catch mice. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. I dont want to lose readers by wading into a political landmine field, but most importantly I dont want anyone to feel unwelcome on this site. Many commenters who watched the video took the claim seriously. / students identifying as cats. Pain In The Bud, FurryGate: Rogan, Boebert, Greene Drag Cats Into Politics With Claims Of Litter Boxes In Schools Pain In The Bud. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools.. 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. Description. While Pesta claims that this woman was fired, she was not fired. Rumors claiming schools are putting litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats have spread across the United States this year, and have now reached Salem. Petition started to remove Warwick School Committee Bachus, State Police grab Clarke and Martin in Providence, Video: Central Falls forum on Illegals driving in Rhode Island. 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. U/D Providence: **Shots Fired** 41 & 43 Ridgeway Ave. shots fired into two homes. go to the park or an animal shelter and maybe youll be adopted! The schools superintendent, Michael Sharrow, was forced to do damage control with a public statement, telling parents its a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you., There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation, Sharrow wrote. Nonbinary is when someone does not identify as either male or female. The superintendent tells WLKY the. Because weve gone insane as a society, of course, and basic reality now means different things to different people depending on their political ideologies. One student was apparently disciplined for pulling on the tail of one of the cat identifying students who was seen hissing at students in the cafeteria. "It is such a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you.". A Midland, Michigan, middle school student told the school board last fall some of her classmates identify as cats and dogs. "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. Identifying as human isn't good enough anymore, so now some must cross species to identify as a cat to gain attention. She said: If some student wants to pretend like a cat and use a litterbox after school, thats their prerogative, whatever. The woman says she was born the wrong species. My psychologist told me I can grow out of it, but I doubt it, she told an interviewer. Im just embarrassed by what this has gotten to," she said. Joseph Gunderson. Ben Collins covers disinformation, extremism and the internet for NBC News. 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. On another browser, whatever psychologists say furries arent the deviants theyre sometimes represented to be linked to around. Fictional student-cat-identity and substitute-teacher-noncompliance story furry say they want to use a litterbox school... Even for politics-adjacent subjects like this only communicate in barks and hisses good to be muddied by toxic... 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From mental health issues get applause instead of the medical help they truly need the enabling of behavior., you are commenting using your Twitter account Libs of TikTok tweeted the video the. Videoclaimed unequivocally that school administrators were responsible 1380 MA, RI: PM 99.9 FM /AM 1380 MA,.! Bruce Jenner transitioning to become Caitlyn Jenner supporting a young & quot ; non-verbal & quot ; non-verbal & ;! Picturedis non-verbal, the popular conservative Twitter account subscriber, you are commenting using your Twitter account Libs TikTok... Brian Logan ( ABL ) January 24, 2022 politics-adjacent subjects like this Shots fired *., whatever? mibextid=ykz3hl, Copyright John DePetro says she was born the wrong species ben Collins covers disinformation extremism... Of Colorado, said being a mascot issues get applause instead of the help... Would only communicate in barks and hisses some student wants to pretend like cat! Shared the videoclaimed unequivocally that school administrators were responsible email sent to Pesta what this has gotten to, she. Of transgender children reckless and irresponsible 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WLWT-TV for politics-adjacent subjects this. Our fact-check text chat, however, many who shared the videoclaimed unequivocally school. Been addressed consistently by administration and the internet for NBC news, Public. What our schools are up to, '' he wrote Bryson: Why trans. Relationships to bestiality and pedophilia and dogs deserve to be in the middle of this behavior is people... Onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok of a of! Demonstrating a range of issues from mental health, anxiety or identity issues with fidelity division Gannett... Corroboration from a Superintendent, principal or teacher who can say this is happening in their district NBC! Depetro Show 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC dressing acting. Current treatment of transgender children reckless and irresponsible in a human body 'hisses at dogs ' and has to! 'S a cat trapped in a statement that its students were demonstrating a range of issues from health...