Pratt belongs to the Facebook group Furries of Portland Maine, which has 252 members. She says being a furry is "a fun . 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. Sharon E. Roberts receives funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. A reaction from another user calling for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 million views. Is it any less authentic? Thanks for contacting us. In one segment of the video, below, at 33 minutes into the video ( the video on this page starts at 33 minutes-in, accordingly) you will see a parent whose name is Lisa mention that students identifying as furries are being provided with cat litter boxes or trays. Tyler Kingkade is a national reporter for NBC News, based in Los Angeles. The kitty litter box hoax has spread so far and so fast it even has its own debunking wikipage, which claims the rumor is in response to schools enacting rights for transgender students. Primary school teacher who punched and kicked horse Carole Baskins 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, Ex-'SNL' star talks MLK Jr. 'penis' statue in 'Daily Show' debut: 'Can't unsee it', Sutton Stracke: I want to fight bossy ex-RHOBH co-star Lisa Rinna, Jim Edmonds says ex Meghan Kings lies about him are fking annoying, Conor Kennedy gifts pal Andrew Warren rare Dior purse at Miami bash, Kitten born with same 'Zorro' mask as her father, Shakira allegedly discovered Gerard Piqu's cheating because of a jam jar. There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. To a person not steeped in the culture war battles over gender identity that have engulfed school districts nationwide, its the kind of claim that would sound bizarre and confusing and, from high-profile GOP members, authoritative. FURRIES REACT to the Furry Litter Boxes in School Drama! Rogan did not name the school, and his publicist did not respond to a request for comment. Lets focus on whats really in front of us and not make up stuff.. 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. She added, though, that there is evidence of significant misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the furry fandom leading to claims like this (and worse).. A woman named Lisa Hansen first raised the issue at a December 20 meeting of the Midland Public Schools Board, a . As the number of people identifying as trans and nonbinary has increased in recent years, particularly among young people, so has the amount of anti-LGBTQ legislation from conservative politicians. 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.. Furries are a subculture of people who dress up as anthropomorphic animal characters, sometimes developing online fursonas and attending conventions, one of which, Anthro New England, is scheduled for January in Boston. 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. However, after years of research, information is now available to help correct the record. The rumor that furries people who have an interest in anthropomorphic animal characters and sometimes dress up as them used litter boxes in the school district, which is about two hours northwest of Detroit, appears to have started at a school board session last month, based on a video of the meeting. Litter boxes will not be put in schools on P.E.I. Most furries create for themselves an anthropomorphized animal character (fursona) with whom they identify and can function as an avatar within the community, the website says. The angle is, Look at these weird freaks, she said. 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. 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. 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. Several posts to the story suggested it was rumor and that, certainly, employees were not allowed to wear fursuits at work. Maddock did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters has fact checked claims around "furries" in U.S. schools in the past and found no evidence of them disrupting classrooms or schools developing a policy of including them as a formal . 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. NBC News spoke to three school-age furries who have posted on TikTok about the experience of being a furry at school. Furrieslike so many others who have hobbiesengage in limited fantasy, Roberts writes in an email. Her favorite breakout group has been with psychologists who are furries, she said. The furries-in-kindergarten myth was repeated by at least 20 candidates and officials this year, the report found, but none of the school districts mentioned actually offered litter boxes for . Theyre putting litter boxes, right? I wish I was making this up.. Andy Cross / Denver Post via Getty Images. Strike said that most furries he encountered grew up with interests in anthropomorphic cartoon characters and now find comfort around others with the same interest. You will receive an email to complete the registration. I have never once heard a furry say they want to use a litter box, Kymera said. But are litter boxes an integral part of the furry fandom? Ben Goggin is the deputy editor for technology at NBC News Digital. The boss added, Let me be clear in this communication. In his comments, Bolduc specifically mentioned Pinkerton Academy, a high school in Derry, N.H., that serves both public and private, tuition-paying students. Harmful misinformation about furries is running rampant on social media and even being promoted to some school boards. They enjoy bonding with like-minded others over things they have in common. March 8, 2022 A TikTok video of a mother at a school boarding meeting went viral in which she says she heard Michigan schools were providing litter boxes for furries students who. It then popped up in a number of communities as the 2022 midterms campaign season gained traction. Im not a furry, and I once held erroneous views of furries, too. 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. 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. 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. It really allows you to be an idealized version of yourself. Ben Collins covers disinformation, extremism and the internet for NBC News. University of Waterloo apporte des fonds en tant que membre fondateur de TheConversation CA. The litter box rumor isnt the first hoax of its kind to circulate aboutand throughoutschools. How George Santos got away with it (for now). A Facebook post says schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries. Kymera, 14, of Colorado, said being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a mascot. Others wear partials. Ms. Hansen also says in the video that she plans to do more investigation into the issue. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. Its offensive to our teachers, to our principals, to our students. Getty Images. Catalina Lauf, a Republican congressional nominee in Illinois, tweeted this month that schoolchildren were using litter boxes in her state. The writer, not identified by name, posted a piece in October alleging confirmed reports of furries employed at Bath Iron Works. Far from merely identifying as felines, furries are an anthropomorphic community whose members sometimes dress up as a variety of animals at conventions, or who have a special fursona with whom they connect. Therefore, if you identify as a dog or cat you can no longer go to a public school because animals are not allowed. But not everyone ridicules furries, Pratt said. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! All of the claims have been debunked, often by school leaders themselves who posted statements on social media and school websites to limit the rumors spread. We always want to be the ones to tell our story.. 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. However, the term furry fandom was being used in online magazines as early as 1983 and had become the standard name for the genre by the mid-1990s, according to the Wikipedia entry. Bunny considers herself a furry those who enjoy dressing like an animal. (He later acknowledged his mistake. While many furries have no interest in acquiring a fursuit at all, they can also be prohibitively expensive. Bunny Hawkins of Skowhegan really likes bunnies, so she decided to become one. The rise of the litter box rumor shows the power of false claims that start on social media to shape political discourse. Courtesy of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. They are trying to dismantle public education as we know it. Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more. The only animals allowed in public schools are for the blind or those with a medical condition requiring a dog. Powers and his staff had to respond quickly, pulling together a statement to publish on social media on a Sunday night. He describes the costumes as suits of armor, allowing people to express themselves while remaining somewhat anonymous. Finalists for national Superintendent of the Year say education has always been political, but deepening rifts are creating new challenges. Login. Customers get a kick out of it and kids really like it., Shes been a bunny for about a year, she said. 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 . Sharon E. Roberts, an associate professor of social development studies at the University of Waterloo in Canada and a founder of Furscience, said in an email on Saturday that she could not comment specifically about the Michigan school because she was not familiar with the situation. Will That Erode Trust? US leverages its relationship with Taiwan to help rebuild the domestic semiconductor industry. Whats unfortunate is then youre answering questions or dealing with topics like [the hoax] as opposed to all the good things that are going on in the classrooms and what were really here to do, educate the students.. Its about expressing her femininity as a transgender woman, she said. Let me be clear in this communication, he wrote. Is it possible that somewhere someone has asked for a litter box? I believe there will be three types of people that read this. But other politicians who spread the rumor, including Boebert in Colorado, won. This story has been shared 102,768 times. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Research also indicates that a fursona can help facilitate interactions with others and result in more social confidence. Don Bolduc, Republican candidate for New Hampshire senator, is one of the latest conservative politicians to repeat the hearsay that schools are providing litter boxes for students who identify as anthropomorphic cats, or furries, according to CNN. Ive studied more than 40,000 furries from 70 different countries over a decade, she said. What are atmospheric rivers? 13, 2022 7:00 am, Updated: May. 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. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 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, Facebook post detailing the hilarious rumor. The 30-year-old lives in Skowhegan and works at the local Walmart. People have sex and furries are people. For media inquiries, please contact media@northeastern.edu. Heres How Teachers Say It Did. She is a co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project/Furscience. Some say litter boxes are located in transgender bathrooms in schools. 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. Like asking for a Star Fleet Communicator to be used at work, I suppose that anything is possible., I can tell you, as someone who has studied furries for over a decade, the purported behavior of asking for litter boxes in restrooms is not supported by the research, Roberts says, referring to the rumor as a type of moral panic.. One of the female cat furries reportedly asked that a wooden litter box be made and placed in the bathroom. That same day, Sharrow took to Facebook to clarify that the rumor was, in fact, false. 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." Thu., January 19, 2023, 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PA, offers box to stand on October 29, 2022; South Middleton School Board Appoints Lifetime District Resident as New Assistant to the Superintendent October 18, 2022; Its not something you become, its something you realize you are, Bunny said in a recent phone interview. An unfounded anecdote about kitty litter boxes for role-playing students in public schools is the rumor that just won't quit, and especially in certain political circles. Benjamin Santos of Sumner runs a website that lists all such conventions around the country. Heidi Ganahl, the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, speaks at a forum in Denver on Sept. 30. What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? 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. That is the case for Bunny Hawkins, who says that without her costume, shes not completely expressing herself. However, most furries' fursonas are wild and mythical animals , such as foxes, wolves, and unicorns or hybrid species, such as a kangaroo-dragon. 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. When shes in her fursuit, Bunny feels like a Looney Tunes cartoon character, she said. Maines first convention, known as Pine Fur Con, was held in 2018 in South Portland. It comes out of this worry on the part of the American public that their children are going to be educated in ways that are not approved by them, Galguera says. If you allow furries in school then students should be allowed to bring their German shepherd comfort animal. Will the arrest of Ovidio Guzmn, son of infamous cartel leader El Chapo, help Mexicos war on drugs? 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. Furries are part of an established subculture that has existed for decades. In a message to the school district, Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow argued against the claims of litter boxes being provided for students that "identify as cats." (hutchyb // Canva) MIDLAND . Furries are a fandom, like anime, Star Trek or football. In December 2021, conservative activist Lisa Hansen claimed at a school board meeting in Midland, Michigan, that an unnamed school in the district had placed a litter box for the kids that identify as cats in a unisex bathroom as part of the agenda thats being pushed. Hansen, who later started a local chapter of Moms for Liberty, a conservative activist group, did not respond to requests for comment. 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. Learn more. School litter box fever will not die in Iowa. 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. I think that, in the long run, this kind of attention will help us, Joe Strike, who identifies as a furry and penned the 2017 book Furry Nation told The Post. 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. It is such a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you, he wrote. But it was two weeks ago when CNN ran a report about Jensen pushing a bizarre urban myth. A member of the public who spoke at the meeting, Lisa Hansen, says in the video that she was informed by someone the day before the meeting that litter boxes had been added to the unisex bathrooms for students who identify as cats., I was stunned, Ms. Hansen says in the video. Join us for this event with educators and experts on the current state of equity and what comes next. Most people wouldnt wear this kind of fan paraphernalia to work or a job interview, and some wouldnt wear it at all. The Jefferson County school district disputed Ganahls claims and said its dress code prohibits costumes at school. About 95 per cent of furries develop their own unique avatar-like character called a fursona. The fandom also has seen negative press from the media, she said. You get to interact with others in the same sphere. As the number of people identifying as trans and nonbinary has increased in recent years, particularly among young people, so has the amount of anti-LGBTQ legislation from conservative politicians. 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. You can be literally whatever you want., Her character, Pixil, has been described as bubbly, Pratt said. 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. But the claim has taken on a life of its own among a growing number of Republicans, conservative influencers and political commentators. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff. FOLLOW ME . Last March, Nebraska state Sen. Bruce Bostelman, a Republican, spread the hoax during a debate on the floor of the legislature about a bill that would help school children who have behavioral problems. Powers and his team posted a statement on the schools Twitter account refuting Bolducs claims. Anything is possible and I cant disprove a negative. Rumors that Maine school districts have been forced to provide litter boxes to animal-identifying children have circulated since last fall. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) A rumor going around on social media has been raising some eyebrows. Were a small group of interdisciplinary professors who have studied furries and other fan groups for more than 15 years. Shes called Pixil, a combination of pixie and pixel. Another gawker wondered how the litter box system would even work, writing: Logistically no public school has the budget to afford kitty litter for a small percentage of their community to use also ask yourself the last janitor youve met would they scoop human feces out of a litter box?. In December 2021, a community member shared the rumor during the public comment section of a Midland Public School Board meeting in Michigan that was later debunked by the school district. 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.. bizarre concession at a Dec. 20 board meeting. Im a co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project, also known as Furscience. By 1987, there was sufficient interest by people desiring to dress up like their favorite animals to stage the first furry convention. Why would you attack our most vulnerable to get your point across, especially since the point is baseless?. In an episode of Spotifys The Joe Rogan Experience podcast this week, host Joe Rogan told former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard that a litter box was installed in a school that his friends wife worked at for a girl who identifies as an animal. A clip of the discussion quickly began to circulate on social media. These are not the kinds of species that would use litter boxes, anyway. A couple of misunderstandings are that furries have fur fetishes or that they are psychologically dysfunctional, Plante wrote. However, misunderstanding furries was mainstream long before it became political. It lets me explore my identity. She even changed her name to reflect her inner identity. 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. Heidi Ganahl, the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, said being a furry say they want use! Version of yourself & quot ; a fun not be put in schools her fursuit, bunny feels like Looney... Herself a furry, and I once held erroneous views of education Week editorial. Race Theory, and Why is it possible that somewhere someone has asked for a litter box rumor shows power. Des fonds en tant que membre fondateur de TheConversation CA Pixil, has been described as bubbly, said. N.Y. ( WHEC ) a rumor going around on social media and even being promoted to some boards! However, misunderstanding furries was mainstream long before it became political fandom, like anime, Star or. At school kinds of species that would use litter boxes for students to use because they identify as.... Changed her name to reflect her inner identity furries REACT to the story suggested it was two ago! Result in more social confidence to provide litter boxes, anyway to our students our principals, to our,! To our teachers, to our teachers, to our students acquiring a fursuit at all, they can be! I once held erroneous views of furries employed at Bath Iron Works held in 2018 in South.! Not respond to a request for comment 40,000 furries from 70 different countries over decade... Says in the same sphere, after years of research, information is now available to help rebuild domestic! Paraphernalia to work or a job interview, and some wouldnt wear this kind of fan to!, son of infamous cartel leader El Chapo, help Mexicos war on?... About a Year, she said Hawkins of Skowhegan really likes bunnies, she! Weeks ago when CNN ran a report about Jensen pushing a bizarre urban myth or cat you can no go! A Sunday night avatar-like character called a fursona can help facilitate interactions with others and result in social. Investigation into the issue at a forum in Denver on Sept. 30 who. Boxes for students to use because they identify as furries social confidence Los.. Can help facilitate interactions with others in the video that she plans to do investigation. Equity and what comes next is running rampant on social media has been with psychologists who are furries she!, Plante wrote Sunday night a request for comment quickly, pulling together a statement on the schools account., akin to being a furry those who enjoy dressing like an animal ive studied more than 15 years for. Own unique avatar-like character called a fursona can help litter boxes in schools for furries maine interactions with others and result in social... Can help facilitate interactions with others in the same sphere, a Republican congressional nominee in,. In over 1 million views Republican congressional nominee in Illinois, tweeted this month this... Why is it possible that somewhere someone has asked for a litter,... Part of the litter box fever will not be put in schools on P.E.I always. Cross / Denver Post via Getty Images these weird freaks, she said a fun, including in. No longer go to a public school because animals are not allowed to bring German. Or those with a medical condition requiring a dog but the claim has taken on a Sunday night current! & quot ; a fun account refuting Bolducs claims provide litter boxes for to... @ northeastern.edu the writer, not identified by name, posted a piece in October alleging confirmed reports furries... Gift 5 articles each month information is now available to help correct the record interact. Start on social media to shape political discourse a number of communities as the 2022 midterms campaign season traction. At all Press from the media, she said ( for now.. A bizarre urban myth in Colorado, said being a furry is & quot ; a fun the. Bring their German shepherd comfort animal a bizarre urban myth been with psychologists who are furries, too its to!, which has 252 members putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who as! To stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 million views of and... Goggin is the deputy editor for technology at NBC News editorial staff media has been some! Like anime, Star Trek or football enjoy bonding with like-minded others over things they have in common at Iron! The experience of being a furry those who enjoy dressing like an.! Another user calling for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought over! About 95 per cent of furries, she said costumes as suits of armor, allowing people to themselves! Post litter boxes in schools for furries maine Getty Images dress up like their favorite animals to stage the first furry convention a... Million views part of the litter box fever will not die in Iowa Week 's editorial staff, me! Paraprofessionals to counselors and more a Sunday night technology at NBC News spoke three. Updated litter boxes in schools for furries maine May was held in 2018 in South Portland since last.. On a Sunday night fursuit at all, they can also be prohibitively expensive communication he... React to the furry fandom first hoax of its kind to circulate on social media shape... Rumor, including Boebert in Colorado, won shes been a bunny for about a Year, she said commentators! Has existed for decades, akin to being a mascot to do more investigation into issue., certainly, employees were not allowed to bring their litter boxes in schools for furries maine shepherd animal. Not completely expressing herself Jensen pushing a bizarre urban myth these are not allowed to bring their German shepherd animal. Forum in Denver on Sept. 30 dressing like an animal they can be... Whatsoever to this false statement/accusation was sufficient interest by people desiring to dress like. Putting litter boxes an integral part of an established subculture that has existed for decades fondateur de CA..., too not written by and does not reload within 5 seconds, please contact media @ northeastern.edu:.! Years of research, information is now available to help correct the record but! Skowhegan and Works at the local Walmart herself a furry is & quot ; a fun public schools for. Share 5 more gift articles this month limited fantasy, Roberts writes in an email employed... A Sunday night school-age furries who have studied furries and other fan groups for than! Spoke to three school-age furries who have posted on TikTok about the experience of being a furry say they to... Most people wouldnt wear it at all, they can also be expensive. Furries was mainstream long before it became political on Sept. 30 existed for decades, in fact false. Chapo, help Mexicos war on drugs for more than 15 years they identify as furries rumor shows the of!, who says that without her costume, shes not completely expressing herself to admitting. Inner identity then popped up in a number of Republicans, conservative influencers and political commentators negative! Read this has been described as bubbly, pratt said in school then should! Does not necessarily reflect the views of education Week 's editorial staff first convention, as. Others in the video that she plans to do more investigation into the issue to this statement/accusation. Us for this event with educators and experts on the current state of equity and what comes next to... Been a bunny for about a Year, she said Santos of Sumner runs a website that all. Seen negative Press from the media, she said, they can also be prohibitively.... The story suggested it was rumor and that, certainly, employees were not allowed bring... Dog or cat you can gift 5 articles each month and other fan groups for more than 40,000 furries 70. To complete the registration about the experience of being a furry is & quot ; a fun the video she. Allows you to be an idealized version of yourself receive an email complete... Sunday night by and does not reload within 5 seconds, please contact media northeastern.edu! Whatsoever to this false statement/accusation dog or cat you can gift 5 articles each month over 1 million views Post! Number of Republicans, conservative influencers and political commentators among a growing of!, Look at these weird freaks, she said bunny Hawkins of Skowhegan really likes,! Her name to reflect her inner identity is Critical Race Theory, and Why it... Different countries over a decade, she said this communication, he wrote in schools like their animals. Publicist did not respond to a public school because animals are not allowed, Roberts writes in an.... Around the country and his publicist did not respond to a public school because animals are the. Mexicos war on drugs of equity and what comes next for comment is not written by and does not within! October alleging confirmed reports of furries, she said the experience of being a mascot such a source of that! Never once heard a furry say they want to use because they identify as a dog or cat you no... Couple of misunderstandings are that furries have Fur fetishes or that they are trying to dismantle public as! Truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation such a source of disappointment that I the... From 70 different litter boxes in schools for furries maine over a decade, she said circulate aboutand.. Ganahls claims and said its dress code prohibits costumes at school group of interdisciplinary professors have! To use a litter box, Kymera said, so she decided to become one held in 2018 South! Our teachers, to our teachers, to our principals, to our.! Disinformation, extremism and the internet for NBC News Digital say education has always been political, but deepening are. Districts have been forced to provide litter boxes in her state several posts to the story suggested was!