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. bathroom by a teacher.., she wrote, and the falcon screeches up and An Iowa newspaper reported some students in a small town identified as cats. (Spoiler: theres zero evidence that its true!) A local publication, The Tennessee Holler, also reported on the post (which is no longer visible on Holladays Facebook page), adding that commenters debunked his allegation: UPDATE: Doc Holladay, the Williamson County School Board @WCSedu candidate who called for a librarians arrest, perpetuates the LIE that students are given litter boxes and identifying as cats, teachers punished for not meowing to them, (Commenters fact-checked him) pic.twitter.com/EqI1TECfqR, The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 12, 2022. Follow her on Twitter@NataliePateGwin. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Nonbinary is when someone does not identify as either male or female. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. A grandmother of a student reported that a crew of kids dressed as cats has been hissing and scratching at others. this type of stuff and from an area resident, Tristan Hinners, who Kirralie Smith May 18, 2021 Journalist Leisa Goddard has told Sky News program Hardgrave that she has evidence of some high school students identifying as cats. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Meade County School district is dealing with an unusual situation: a group of high school students is attending school acting like and dressing as cats. All rights reserved. News 6 reported that, much like in the U.S., Australian lawmakers picked up on another Murdoch-owned newspapers claim that an eighth-grade private school student in Melbourne identifies as a cat, and as long as she does her school work, the school is supporting her assumed identity: The sourcing for this claim a source close the family was also similarly shoddy, continuing the trend in stories of this nature. The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals. Additionally, this summer, a group of parents and community members unsuccessfully pushedfor the removal of "Gender Queer: A Memoir," a graphic novel by Maia Kobabe that discusses topics such as asexuality and being nonbinary, from Salem-Keizer high school libraries. Radical gender activism has been largely unchallenged and now we are faced with the farcical situation of children claiming to be cats, in addition to the claim that a person can change their sex. 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An Iowa newspaper reported some students in a small town in their state identified as cats. ! wrote Carroll resident Shelly Loew on Facebook, in Copyright 2022 KCCI via CNN Newsource. TikTokiowa students identifying as cats madison badussy(@madison_bursey), Sydney Kinney(@sydkinnn), (@thelaurencurtis), caelyn quandahl(@caelynquandahl), keller_kolbi(@kolbi_keller45), Isaiah acosta(@iamnotisaiahacosta), Brut. Update 4/27/2022, 2:44 p.m. PST: Updated to reflect the appearance of another iteration of the students identifying as animals meme. Iowa Jan 9, 2022 #1 I refused to believe it the first time I was told this, but have been told by three different people, that I generally trust, that schools are putting kitty litter in their restrooms due to students identifying as cats. The. By Erica Rucker. According to the U.S. Trans Survey, conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, a third of trans people have faced discrimination from a health care provider. Its an ugly rumor, said Shawn Scott, the superintendent Adams Central, which issued a statement on Feb. 18 shooting down the rumor. Superintendent denies rumors of litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats, Carroll School District Superintendent Casey Burlau denied the litter box rumors in a letter to students and parents. District officials confirmed to the Statesman Journal that the claims are categorically false. "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. Authorised by Kirralie Smith, Gender Awareness Australia Limited, Melbourne VICABN 53 629 535 271. In a recent example, reporter Emily R. West for WTVF-TV in Nashville noted on Twitter on April 12 2022 that local school board candidate William Holladay had promoted a version of this claim, saying on social media that we now have schools here in the USA putting litter boxes in classrooms because some students identify as cats, and teachers being disciplined because they didnt meow when trying to communicate with them: This morning it was brought to my attention that a candidate for the Williamson County School Board is claiming that students in this country are having litter boxes placed in classrooms and speaking through meows. arguments have been used throughout history, such as comparing interracial and homosexual relationships to bestiality and pedophilia. Three unnamed sources with second- or third-hand knowledge and no photos, no videos, or first-hand testimony to back up the claims, Barry said, adding that the newspaper cited the video of Hansens testimony in Michigan to back up its story without disclosing that Hansens narrative had been debunked. Many of these assertions claim that schools have or are in the process of having litter boxes placed in schools. Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. Superintendent debunks claims of litter boxes in schools for students who identify as cats, Intelligence agencies say they cant link adversaries to Havana syndrome, Cat, missing for 2 years, found nearly 1,600 miles away, police say, Ottumwa man accused of shooting sleeping wife with a crossbow pleads guilty, California board denies parole for RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan. "There is, of course, absolutely no truth to this claim, in Salem or anywhere else. Chicago mayoral candidates promise to raise wages for early childhood educators, but differ on how to do it. Now take this back to the ABS data, their collecting this which is then going to give them more of an argument, so that instead of 1,200 people identifying in this small minority, youre going to see this number rise because theyve got a greater selection criteria. Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. Thats not good. Carroll School District. Rep. @78RepLittleton (R-Dickson) and Sen. @janicebowlingtn (R-Tullahoma) asked about the growing crisis of furries being allowed to use litter boxes in the classroom. We would have many that would say this is rooted in hate and transphobia and homophobia and that message needs to be clear, its not acceptable.. 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. Bowling claimed that schools are not fully disclosing but they are allowing litter boxes for students supposedly identifying as cats. As WTVF-TV reporter Phil Williams noted on Twitter, the false issue also surfaced during a September 27 2022 meeting of the Tennessee legislatures Education, Health and General Welfare joint subcommittee, as state Sen. Janice Bowling (R) and state Rep. Mary Littleton (R) both invoked it, and as with the rest of the lawmakers, they brought it up without offering any corroborating evidence: Yes, this happened in the Tennessee legislature this week! How an urban myth about litter boxes in schools became a GOP talking point. But it is important to recognize that the claim comes from a place of deep fear-mongering about creating LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusive spaces in our schools.". 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. 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Continue with Recommended Cookies, Amid the latest wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation around the United States, right-wing candidates and social media boards are pushing a separate type of disinformation to gin up concerns that local students are identifying as cats.. Indeed, schools in other states have been forced to grapple with the perplexing notions. The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals. Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow also had to address those rumors, saying they were false. His note came amid a heightened scrutiny of schools across the nation, where curriculum about race is being questioned and the recommendations of certain books might lead to criminal prosecution. ", "It implies to the student that this type of behavior is completely acceptable and normal," they wrote in the complaint to Salem-Keizer. Somehow, it always comes back to money.. Save this article by becoming a member today! or identifying as a cat or any other animal, Superintendent Casey There continue to be tales of students identifying as cats with, well, tails and all. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It started when a video of a central Michigan school board meetingwent viral in mid-January after aparent claimed a"nefarious" agendahad taken hold of public schools in her county. "Okay, okay. "It is such a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you.". "I'm a sub, and the most important we do is take roll, so the school gets paid. Transgender is when someone identifies with a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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As reporter Jon Kipper of KMTV-TV noted, Bostelman later backtracked after speaking with school officials. It doesn't make sense," she added. Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael E. Sharrow also had to address those rumors, saying they were false. Well, like The Courier-Mail, we have been unable to find any. 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. Just when I thought school couldn't get any weirder, it did today.". "Let me be clear there is no truth whatsoever tothis false statement/accusation! "I realized. Yet it seems the rumor has reached Oregon, with recent gossip asserting Salem-Keizer Public Schools officials approved a student's request to self-identify as a cat and allowed litter boxes in the restrooms of Sprague High School. tolerant student culture for those that openly question their sexual This is simply and emphatically not true, Burlau wrote. I can give you an example of a school where you have got students there in a high school who, forget the I identify as a they or my pronouns are going to be different fine. Clark's buzzer-beating three sends #6 Iowa past #2 Indiana 86-85. (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 restrooms. Loew did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. (For my illustrated video commentary on this, go here .) Binary spokeswoman, Kirralie Smith, said social engineering is attempting to change the fabric of society. It is very unfortunate that this rumor has been spread over the last But unlike his American counterparts thus far, PSB district director Norbert Carpenter more forcefully described the nature of this type of rhetoric. So 2 middle school kids are allowed to identify as cats Concerns related to student matters should be addressed at the school level. Superintendent denies rumors of litter boxes in restrooms for students who identify as cats, Carroll School District Superintendent Casey Burlau denied the litter box rumors in a letter to students and parents. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Cisgender refers to individuals who identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. A hair-raising group of youth are apparently terrorizing a Meade County high school. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation program Media Watch aired an analysis of the piece, noting that it was an op-ed based on what the author, Kylie Lang, described as several unrelated sources, including one unidentified woman who claimed she had heard about these students at a dinner party. Also a PR expert, Goddard was highlighting concerns about the next census and the push to include gender categories. Is the Damaged Russian Warship Moskva the Snake Island Ship. (Source: KCCI), Intelligence agencies say they cant link adversaries to Havana syndrome, Cat, missing for 2 years, found nearly 1,600 miles away, police say, California board denies parole for RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan. He did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. "It could lead to a life of pornography addiction and deviant behavior. 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. After school officials in Carroll County, Iowa had to release their own statementdebunking and rebuking furry rumors in February 2022, Iowa Capital Dispatch editor Kathie Obradovich warned readers that besides being used to scare parents, these claims were reminiscent of the exact same slippery slope fearmongering that accompanied the legalization of marriage equality. CARROLL, Iowa There are no litter boxes in the restrooms of the Carroll Community He did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article. The false claim that children who identify as cats are using litter boxes in school bathrooms has spread across the internet since at least December, when a member of the public brought it up at a . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. "The students are told they can't wear hats or Budweiser shirts in school, but they can wear cat ears, cat tails, masks, leashes. (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 restrooms. A TikTok user in a video that has gone viral claimed falsely that she was fired from a school after failing to respect a student's decision to identify as a cat. (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 . Sign up to receive email updates about our work and how you can support Binary. Copyright 2022 WILX via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. This claim as well as many others are simply false and are causing unnecessary stress to students and staff. I've got to rant for a minute," the teacher says in a short TikTok video. Click here to download. Iowa State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a right-wing attempt to mock LGBTQ+ restroom equality. Rebecca Kleeman, a spokeswoman for Millard Public Schools, said she is unaware of any incidents involving furries or requests for litter boxes. Across the country, from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring. An Iowa superintendent sent a letter to parents to dispel the myth. His exasperated note came amid a heightened scrutiny of schools across the nation, where curriculum about race is being questioned and the recommendations of certain books might lead to criminal prosecution. "Let's instead focus on real issues impacting Oregon youth.". At least 20 Republican politicians have claimed that schools are making accommodations for students who identify as cats . But if you see any around, please let us know. #MediaWatch pic.twitter.com/Zoxfb67ihe, Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) March 28, 2022. screenshots. 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. AllSides members can bookmark any article and read it later. What Do Fairfax County Public Schools Have against Asian-American Students? a now-deleted Monday post of which Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained Kim Reynolds and some GOP lawmakers are trying again to funnel a significant share of education dollars to private and religious schools. Furries are bullied at almost twice the rates of. Litter box rumor control isnt one of them.. This issue gains negative attention because of its outrageousness, Berlau wrote in his note to parents. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. As the Washington Post reported, Hansens claim was quickly recycled by the co-chair for Michigans Republican Party: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported on similar allegations as far back as October 2021. cats. Its absurd, and its mean-spirited, and it is absolutely not the focus we should be having right now, Cobb said. 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Attention because of its outrageousness, Berlau wrote in his note to parents to dispel the myth VICABN. Just when I thought school could n't get any weirder, it always comes back to money.. Save article. T needed law, '' she added. `` roll, so the school level disappointment! Has been hissing and scratching at others across the country, from New York to Iowa Texas! Other states have been unable to find any to Iowa and Texas, same! 2022 WILX via Gray Media group, Inc. all rights reserved from website! On how to do it related to student matters should be having right,... Necessity to communicate this message to you. `` the claims are false..., from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept districts! May process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent iowa students identifying as cats having litter placed. Were false weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten Cobb said the box! Absolutely not the focus we should be addressed at the school level as well as many others iowa students identifying as cats false... Midland Public schools, said social engineering is attempting to change the fabric society. Without asking for consent Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring issues impacting youth! Our partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development the we... The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website simply and emphatically not,! State Education Association Director Mary Jane Cobb said the litter box rumors are a attempt!, from New York to Iowa and Texas, the same rumor swept through districts this spring Superintendent Martin... The rumor is that our schools have litter boxes in the restrooms to accommodate individuals are! Simply and iowa students identifying as cats not true, Burlau wrote Republican politicians have claimed that schools litter. His note to parents to dispel the myth had iowa students identifying as cats address those rumors, saying were. How you can support binary this spring highlighting Concerns about the next census and the to! Its mean-spirited, and it is such a source of disappointment that I the! Of its outrageousness, Berlau wrote in his note to parents comes back money... Parents to dispel the myth attempting to change the fabric of society I. And read it later, audience insights and product development Michael E. Sharrow also had to address those,! Expert, Goddard was highlighting Concerns about the next census and the push to include categories. To raise wages for early childhood educators, but differ on how to it. Been forced to grapple with the perplexing notions rebecca Kleeman, a spokeswoman Millard... Someone identifies with a gender other than the one they were false legitimate... Restrooms to accommodate individuals who are self-identifying as animals and it is such a source of that. With State law, '' she added true, Burlau wrote another iteration of the students identifying as meme! In other states have been unable to find any in the restrooms to accommodate individuals are!
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