Texas Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Nonexistent School Behavior​

In a move that's raising eyebrows across the Lone Star State, Texas Representative Stan Gerdes has introduced the FURRIES Act—short for Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education. The bill aims to prohibit students from exhibiting "non-human behavior" in public schools, including wearing animal accessories, making animal noises, and, notably, using litter boxes.​

There's Littler Boxes in Texas Schools? No.

The legislation, however, targets a problem that, according to multiple sources, doesn't exist. Despite claims from Gerdes and even Governor Greg Abbott suggesting that students are identifying as animals and using litter boxes in schools, investigations have found no evidence to support these assertions.​

In fact, the superintendent of Smithville Independent School District, which Gerdes cited as having a "furry-related incident," has refuted the presence of such behavior in her district. Similarly, school officials across the country have debunked the so-called "litter box hoax," clarifying that no schools are providing litter boxes for students.

Don't We Have More Important Issues to Deal With?​

Critics argue that the FURRIES Act is a distraction from more pressing educational issues. Democratic Representative James Talarico labeled the bill a baseless attack on public education, suggesting it's part of a broader agenda to discredit public schools and promote school vouchers.

Where Did the Rumor Start?​

The origins of the litter box rumor trace back to widely debunked online hoaxes from 2022, which falsely claimed that schools were accommodating students who identify as cats. Despite being repeatedly disproven, the myth has persisted in some political circles.

Even controversial podcaster Joe Rogan got caught up in the hoax:

​As the FURRIES Act awaits further consideration, many educators and parents are left questioning why lawmakers are focusing on a fabricated issue instead of addressing real challenges facing Texas schools.​

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