Feb 14, 2022 Updated Mar 22, 2022. This is sadly happening, and even in rural, conservative, farm country, Iowa. 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. So he wasnt wearing his school board hat at the meeting. 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). Abbott's school voucher pitch. Dare I say that it is absolutely bonkers! And I guess I've never seen anybody dressed up.". The personalized animal identity of a furry is known as their fursona, the portmanteau of furry and persona. 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 number of politicians, including U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), have propagated similar claims as well. We were told there are students allowed to wear cat ears and tails while other students cannot even wear a hat. Claims of litter boxes in school bathrooms have cropped up on social media both locally and around the country. 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. 27 febrero, 2023 . (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 . I never thought I would have to type the following words: schools are not putting litter boxes in their bathrooms. We did not find any credible news reports that support the claim. Youre missing the point. Period. In 2018 a blog for school counselors published a post entitled . This week, on the same day Iowa Capital Dispatch published the Carroll litter box story, lawmakers were debating bills to ban transgender girls participation on womens sports teams and throw educators in jail for making obscene literature available to students. A school had to send an email putting this rumor to rest. It looks like it isnt just happening in Iowa, thankfullyI guess? You know, this is being conflated specifically to invalidate trans identities which are real and which have been studied extensively, they said. You read that right. The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals. It isnt how I pictured civilisations collapse. A Michigan superintendent had to refute a wild rumor that a litter box was provided in a school bathroom for students who identify as cats last week after a video of a parent raising the claim at a school board meeting spread on social media. Also, the litter boxes dont exist. Copyright 2022 KCCI via CNN Newsource. The same story has been debunked elsewhere in Iowa and in Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan. "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. 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.. If youve ever used the phrase Fake News now YOU can actually DO something about it! to accommodate students who identify as cats, the Public Schools Branch says. 13, 2022 4:31 pm. "Parent heroes will TAKE BACK our . Otherwise, if we don't stop this downward slide, we might soon be required to provide litter boxes for people who identify as cats. 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. We rely on the financial support of our readers to exist. The rumor had also been peddled on Facebook by the co-chair of the Michigan GOP, Meshawn Maddock. A recent story out of small-town Iowa was getting lots of twitters and titters: The Carroll school superintendent sent out an email to parents to knock down a false rumor that there were litter boxes in school bathrooms to accommodate students who identify as cats. 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. All these harmful, spiteful tactics targeting Iowans and their rights for a political payday carry an unmistakable stench. Interestingly, the school wrote it doesnt want to discourage or thwart the creativity or individualism of students, but it wants to promote a safe and healthy culture for all kids to feel comfortable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres also a loss of appetite, for facts. At the school sit-down, concerned parent Lisa Hansen said she was really disturbed after reportedly learning from a student that at least one of our schools in our town, in one of the unisex bathrooms, a litter box for the kids that identify as cats. or Venmo at Iowa-Standard-2018 or through the mail at: PO Box 112 Sioux Center, IA 51250 There continue to be tales of students identifying as cats with, well, tails and all . 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 . (Photo by pixelfit/Getty Images). It was about a rumor involving an Iowa school. "It is a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you., During the Dec. 20 meeting, a parent of a student in the district said she had been left "disturbed" after hearing a litter box had been installed in at least one unisex restroom in one of the district's schools for those who "identified as cats.". We've received your submission. Thanks for contacting us. Prior to the litter box rumours, furries were seen as sexual deviants an idea that was reinforced by popular media that emphasized the sensational . Information about your device and internet connection, like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites and apps. When Can You Get Your License If Your Birthday Is On A Leap Day? Thats why Iowa Capital Dispatch, a nonprofit, independent source for quality journalism, is working every day to keep you informed about what government officials are doing with your money, your freedom and your safety. These kids are already an astronomical risk for adverse mental health outcomes and suicidal ideation, Crow said. Go to the bathroom in a toilet and flush. Linn-Mars entirely reasonable decision has become the latest target of the recklessly unreasonable and perpetually outraged. 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 . Urinating and defication in a litter box, for others to clean up is unsanitary and quite frankly disgusting. Restaurant inspection update: Sewage, rodent carcasses, mold, Restaurant update: Bad sushi, unlicensed eateries and, Restaurant inspection update: Moldy school cafeteria cheese,. 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. Theyre also allowed to bark. 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. In NY state, a baby can be aborted at birth, but it is illegal, no joke, to declaw a cat. Secondly, the parents need to be cited for having an unlicensed animal and have not had their rabies shots! Wow! The spokesperson wrote to parents that students were wearing items not school-appropriate. These items include collars and leather straps with spikes. Theyre identifying as animals. 0:00. Those that have sex in the suits is what they're infamous for, but that's only a small percent of furries. Put them on a leash to go to the bathroom outside. Parents and school folk need to put their paws (feet) down and get real. Its not make-believe or fantasy. Some furries even wear animal costumes or tails in public. 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 . Same thing, wear ears, wear hooded onesies with ears and tails, purr, etc. So the litter box stories are part of an effort to smear transgender kids and justify restricting their rights. 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 . If you have people who act like and believe they ARE animals, that is NOT a Furry. A strange rumor has been circulating on social media for the past month or so that has to do with schools and litter boxes. 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! "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. Iowans value integrity in their government. These kids are not a threat. 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. (319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com, Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Some develop elaborate video-game personas. There is nothing safe and healthy about this. Some furries even only answer questions with animal sounds. Locker rooms! I just cant believe this is real, sputtered one incredulous commenter, while another wrote, Whats going on in this town?. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools. A reaction from another user calling for . Jul 18, 2022. A Michigan school district is denying that litter boxes were provided to students who identify as 'furries' after a woman made the claim in a school board meeting last month.. Video of the woman . A young child wears cat ears while doing school work at home. O'Furr, who has traced the origins of the litter box urban legend, dates the hoax to at least 2008. 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. 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. Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow also had to address those rumors, saying they were false. 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. I first did not believe it when my granddaughter told me about this. 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). The Iowa Standard has heard from a handful of parents across the state concerned about students identifying as "furries" at various schools throughout the state. I think we need some intervention on these kids and parents. 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. A Nebraska state lawmakerpublicly repeatedthe claim then apologized when he learned it wasnt true. [] reports have popped up elsewhere. Parents have claimed that at least one litter box was installed in a unisex bathroom for children who identify themselves as 'furries' Credit: Getty. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. A Facebook post says schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries. This isnt a real thing. Though furries are not new, the issue of students identifying as these animals at school has attracted mainstream attention. A "furry" is someone who role-plays or identifies as an animal, or an animal character with human-like characteristics. Sharon E. Roberts, Associate professor, Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo . No board members responded to the claim on the day of the meeting, but Sharrow's statement on Thursday dismissed the claim entirely. 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. You can change your choices at any time by visiting your privacy controls. 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. Dont think its not happening in your area because it probably is. "Our community needs to understand that the agenda that is being pushed through our schools, in my opinion, is somewhat nefarious when it comes to some of the activities.". Lewton noted that each school within the Dickinson Public Schools district has its own handbook that lays out dress code. And though school districts have issued statements debunking the story multiple times, some social media posts are still spreading the erroneous information. This is saying that kids who; Identify as cats, meow in class, and demand litter-boxes in the bathrooms, arent normal. Published Jan 24, 2022. This story has been shared 102,999 times. So many hats! Iowas Most Boring Town Is A Hilarious Coincidence, Heres What 1 Year Of Working On K92.3 and Moving To Iowa Looks Like [PHOTOS], 5 Tips That May Help With Spring Allergies In Your Iowa Home, Chicago Man Convicted In Cruel Shooting of Iowa Deputy, Waterloos Lost Island Parks Announce Opening Dates. 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 . She previously covered the Iowa Statehouse for 10 years for newspapers in Davenport, Waterloo, Sioux City, Mason City and Muscatine. Of course, the media is keeping littergate secret. And the school was allowing kitty litter to be placed in the classroom or bathroom or both. Please consider a one-time sign of support or becoming a monthly supporter at $5, $10/month - whatever you think we're worth! (Photo by pixelfit/Getty Images) A recent story out of small-town Iowa was getting lots of twitters and titters: The Carroll school superintendent sent out an email to parents to knock down a false rumor that there were litter boxes in school bathrooms to . 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. Some go to conventions dressed as their favorite superheroes. Some people laughed at how absurd it is that school kids are supposedly going around claiming to be animals. I heard from the same reliable sources that theres this one high school where a couple of girls identify as horses. Danger! 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. 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. There are an estimated 250,000 people in the US who . "It is unconscionable that this afternoon I . In his statement, Sharrow said it was "unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication. Some say litter boxes are located in "transgender bathrooms" in schools. In the video, she mentions a group called "furries" which according to Merriam Webster refers to. That school kids are supposedly going around claiming to be animals, Sioux City, Mason and... The erroneous information in schools, Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the Michigan,. 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