litter boxes in schools for furries maine

But there is a stigma, Pratt said, explaining why most furries in Maine did not want to talk a reporter. Some believe they dress that way all the time. 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.. 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 that allow transgender students to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. It is me, but more. Some furries wear full costumes with built-in fans to keep them from getting too warm. She attended her first furry event in 2016 and got her fursuit in 2020. It feels like everyone has an opinion, or heard a rumour, about kids dressing up as animals, calling themselves furries and demanding litter boxes. 13, 2022 7:00 am, Updated: May. 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 . In January 2022, a Republican party official in Michigan shared the remarkable claim that in Midland public schools, officials were accommodating "furries" people who sometimes dress as. It is unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication, the superintendent of Midland Public Schools, Michael Sharrow, wrote on Thursday in an email to parents that was also shared on Facebook. Thats the case for furries, too. John D. OBryant, a civil rights leader of Martin Luther King Jr.s era, is honored at new Boston Common statue, Northeastern upsets UConn, 4-1, at Frozen Fenway on 29 saves by Devon Levi, the best goaltender in the country, Don Orsillo, Northeastern graduate and MLB voice, sounds off on Red Sox, Bogaerts and his time as a Husky, Northeastern mens hockey team hopes frozen Fenway Park will be a game-changer. He's also the bestselling author of "The Impostors: How Republicans Quit Governing and Seized American Politics.". Bolduc is among a group of Republican politicians and pundits who spread the same hoax throughout the campaign cycle, causing communications crises for school leaders. If your knowledge of furries comes mostly from television or social media, then what youve heard about furries is probably wrong. crivez un article et rejoignez une communaut de plus de 158 000 universitaires et chercheurs de 4 538 institutions. However, misunderstanding furries was mainstream long before it became political. 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. 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. 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.. We've received your submission. Thats not a big leap from her natural optimism and cheerfulness, she said. 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. 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. Get the latest education news delivered to your inbox daily. And Joe Rogan, a comedian and podcast host, said he knew of a school that was offering litter boxes to students on the Oct. 11 episode of his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan also backtracked on his claims, saying it doesnt seem that theres any proof that they put the litter box in there on a later podcast episode. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Brenner worries that the hoax serves as another tool for school choice advocates to sow division between public school parents and educators. Already have a commenting profile? 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. The fandom provides a social network for its members, and furries can benefit tremendously from these friendships. Having a fursona doesnt mean that a furry owns a fursuit (a mascot-like outfit), and only 15 to 25 per cent of furries have them. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. What are atmospheric rivers? Go figure: The social media criticisms flew fast and furry-ous. Voir les partenaires de TheConversation France. Furries are part of an established subculture that has existed for decades. Prior to the litter box rumours, furries were seen as sexual deviants an idea that was reinforced by popular media that emphasized the sensational over facts. Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk0KIp9ow7QLabbRatt's Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrOCEMip094Help support my channel!Patreon: Comi. But, quite frankly, its offensive. IE 11 is not supported. Prior to the litter box rumours, furries were seen as sexual deviants an idea that was reinforced by popular media that emphasized the sensational over facts. From abortion to book bans, critical race theory and transgender rights, much political rhetoric in the run-up to the mid-term elections in the United States has centered around culture war issues. Bunny Hawkins wears the outfit she works in at Walmart, complete with bunny tail, mask and Walmart vest. Members of the "furries" fantasy subculture tell The Post they're not wild about this week's viral rumor that a Michigan school put a litter box in one of its bathrooms for "the kids . I wouldnt say theres more [hoaxes], theres just more of a need to respond because parents, students, staff, community members are getting that information faster and from different sources, she said. The cover photo for the Furries of Portland Maine Facebook group. bizarre concession at a Dec. 20 board meeting. Breakout sessions are held for specific groups, such as people in fox suits or deer suits, Pratt said. Others wear partials. Login. US leverages its relationship with Taiwan to help rebuild the domestic semiconductor industry. Therefore, if you identify as a dog or cat you can no longer go to a public school because animals are not allowed. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. As too many Republicans and their allies push the school litter box myth, it's important to remember that while the claims are dumb, they're not benign. A reaction from another user calling for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 million views. Fursuits are usually worn on special occasions a parade, meet-up or convention. Lisa Hansen speaks to the Midland Public Schools Board of Education at its Dec. 20, 2021, meeting. 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 . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. As strange as that may sound to some, director . There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. 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 would you attack our most vulnerable to get your point across, especially since the point is baseless?. 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. You read that right. by Lia Russell May 19, 2022 A rumor about workers. I just cant believe this is real, sputtered one incredulous commenter, while another wrote, Whats going on in this town?. 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. 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.". In other words, if you removed all the sexual content, there would still be a furry fandom. Sharon E. Roberts receives funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. "It is unconscionable that this afternoon I . She is a co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project/Furscience. The page also provides information on relevant news items, such as how the district uses the H1-B visa program to hire specialty international workers to fill staffing shortages, and how Grand Forks student ACT scores compare with other students in the area. Dont expect to find litter boxes at the convention, says Sharon E. Roberts, a Canadian academic and co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project/Furscience, which studies furry fandom from sociological, social, psychological and clinical perspectives.. Its a fandom. ET. 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. Despite these risk factors and some who fear ostracism for their interests, furries well-being, self-esteem, life satisfaction, relationship quality and happiness are the same as non-furries. Its no coincidence that Bunny, the only other furry who agreed to be interviewed for this story, is also transgender, Pratt said. Within a few months, similar rumors began to spread in the U.S., where they quickly became culture war fodder. They tend to be younger, however the ones who attend conventions are older than those who partake in online furry communities. 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. 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. The first notable instance of furry panic occurred when right-wing activists pushed a false claim about schools in Michigan placing litter boxes in bathrooms to allow furry students to use them . 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. The fandom is centered around an interest in anthropomorphism, or human characteristics given to animals, according to Sharon Roberts, co-founder of a furry research group called Furscience. A study on furries led by Canadian college professor Dr. Kathy Gerbasi and published in the journal Society & Animals found that approximately 25% of those surveyed considered themselves less than 100% human and would become 0% human if they could. The student claims these "furries"their classmatesare "growling, hissing, or even scratching and biting at other people.". Over the past two years, lawmakers have passed laws that limit how teachers can discuss race, gender, and sexuality and give parents the power to review curriculum. The furry community is constantly fending off misperceptions, though. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Furries allowed to defecate in schools. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Mr. Sharrow did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. The fungal zombies in HBOs The Last of Us are based on real, horrifying biology, An amazing opportunity. Ontario education minister praises experiential learning at Toronto campus, Dates, times finalized for Northeasterns 2023 Boston commencements and college celebrations, Open, reservable study spaces on Boston campus as Snell Library undergoes renovations. 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. An unfounded anecdote about kitty litter boxes for role-playing students in public schools is the rumor that just wont quit, and especially in certain political circles. In its most distilled form, furries are a group of people who formed a community or fandom because they have a common interest in anthropomorphic media, friendships and social inclusion. You can be literally whatever you want., Her character, Pixil, has been described as bubbly, Pratt said. She added, though, that there is evidence of significant misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the furry fandom leading to claims like this (and worse).. There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools.. The litter box rumor isnt the first hoax of its kind to circulate aboutand throughoutschools. The first group is those who read the headline and had to know what this craziness was even about. What will the US economy look like in 2023? Terry Brenner, superintendent, Grand Forks school district, Grand Forks, N.D. I think this is a distracting technique to disparage public schools and to say creating inclusive environments shouldnt be happening, she says. One of the most recent examples involves a relatively unknown community. 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. 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 . Changing Demographics: How Educators Expect Populations to Shift, How School Districts Can Benefit From Housing Partnerships, Academic Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Neuroscience-Aligned & Trauma-Informed Approaches to Supporting Students, Teachers & Staff, What Educators of Color Say It Will Take to Boost Their Numbers in School Leadership, Top Superintendents Detail the Toll of Divisive PoliticsAnd How They've Responded, How to Address System Change in Education. Putting aside broader questions about the degree to which weve lost our minds, Jensens claim was, and is, ridiculous: No one is putting litter boxes in schools because children identify as furries. These are not the kinds of species that would use litter boxes, anyway. 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. Heres what you need to know. But as the NBC News report added, its important to acknowledge the motivation behind the nonsense. , complete with bunny tail, mask and Walmart vest, her character, Pixil, has described! Bunny Hawkins wears the outfit she works in at Walmart, complete with bunny tail, mask Walmart! Password and display name for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in 1... Therefore, if you identify as a dog or cat you can no longer to... Furries of litter boxes in schools for furries maine Maine Facebook group dress that way all the sexual content, there still. Furry event in 2016 and got her fursuit in 2020 other words, if you identify as a dog cat... 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