Michigan school accused of installing litter boxes for students who identify as cats
A Michigan school has responded to sensational claims that it was installing litter boxes in bathrooms for students who identify as cats and dogs.
Little boxes have never been inside Midland Public Schools and are not being used by pupils, the district's superintendent clarified in a statement to concerned parents on Thursday, January 20, to dispel rumors on social media. Midland Public Schools superintendent Michael E Sharrow revealed how a community member told the board of education on December 20 that litter boxes were provided within student restrooms for those identifying as "furries." According to Merriam Webster, a "furry" is a "person who identifies with and enjoys dressing as an animal especially as a member of a subculture devoted to the practice." Some are known to wear animal costumes or tails in public.
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"Let me be clear in this communication. There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation! There have never been litter boxes within MPS schools," Sharrow said in an email to MPS parents. "It is unconscionable that this afternoon I am sending this communication, however, our Midland PS stakeholders may be confused about a false message/accusation that has resurfaced this week and is gaining traction in the social media realm."
According to Sharrow, the rumor was brought up at a school board meeting on December 20 by a concerned parent and went viral on social media. "It is a source of disappointment that I felt the necessity to communicate this message to you," he added.
At a Midland public schools meeting, a parent brings up “furries,” saying she “heard” at least one school in the district is providing a litter box for kids that identify as cats. The parent goes on to suggest this is part of a larger “agenda” nationwide. pic.twitter.com/fNxye7LPBL
— Left of Center MI (@leftofcentermi) January 20, 2022
The parent who demanded answers during the December 20 meeting bemoaned how she had been left "disturbed" after hearing a litter box had been installed in at least one unisex restroom for those who "identified" as cats. "Yesterday I heard something, and I was stunned. And today, I am equally stunned and a little bit upset -- well, not a little bit -- I'm furious," she said in a video of the meeting posted to YouTube. "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."
"It was addressed by a child a couple of months ago that they are put in an environment where that are kids that identify as a furry cat or a dog or whatever," she explained. "And so I heard yesterday that at least one of our schools in our town has in one of those unisex bathrooms a litter box for the kids that identify as cats and I'm really disturbed by that." She added, "I will do some more investigation. I'm all for creativity and imagination but when someone lives in a fantasy world and expects other people to go along I have a problem with that."
While board members did not address the claim on the day of the meeting, Sharrow dismissed the claim entirely in his Thursday statement. He urged parents to send him a message in the future should they have questions about any "wild accusations that don't sound like something" the district would do, The Detroit News reported.