Jody Serrano
Editor in chiefEditor in Chief at Xataka On. Before joining Webedia, I was a tech reporter at Gizmodo and The Messenger. While I've covered all sorts of things related to technology, I'm specialized in writing about social media, Internet culture, Twitch, and streamers.
Down in Texas, state lawmakers are declaring war on “furries,” a term that refers to a community of people with an interest in animals with human characteristics. Specifically, they want to put a stop to children dressing as furries in public schools. They also want to stop furries from using litter boxes instead of bathrooms on campuses.
The problem is that no one seems to have any proof that kids are actually dressing up as furries in Texas schools.
The F.U.R.R.I.E.S. Act. The furries “problem” in Texas schools was brought to light by Republican state Rep. Stan Gerdes, who is behind HB 4814, also known as the Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education (F.U.R.R.I.E.S.) Act.
HB 4814 would prohibit school officials from allowing students to engage in any distracting behavior associated with furries, such as using a litter box, making animal-like noises, or wearing animal-like ears, in public schools.
Gerdes said he filed the bill in response to “neighborhood concerns” about a “furry-related incident” that was confirmed by a superintendent in his district. School districts found to be in violation of the law have to pay $10,000 for the first violation and $25,000 for any subsequent violations.
What are furries? Furries refers to a subculture of people that like to dress up as human-like animals. In a way, it’s similar to cosplaying, which is where people dress up as characters from popular anime shows or superhero movies. There’s a difference though: Furries don’t believe they are animals but rather identify with animals.
As explained by Sharon Roberts, an associate professor of development studies at the University of Waterloo, a lot of people in the furry fandom have what’s called a “fursona,” which is a “unique, avatar-like character” that can represent “idealized versions of self.” For example, someone’s fursona might really sociable, funny, or less anxious.
While some furries have fursuits, the large costumes that resemble school mascots often used to represent the subculture, not all of them do. Others represent their fursonas with accessories, such as ears or clothes.
No furries in Texas schools. When he presented the HB 4814 in March, Gerdes made a point to say that he couldn’t “believe we have to do this,” adding that Texas couldn’t allow “these types of roleplaying distractions” to affect students and teachers. However, it’s been hard to pinpoint exactly where and if these disruptions are taking place at all.
According to The Houston Chronicle, the superintendent of the Smithsville school district referenced by Gerdes as his inspiration for HB 4814 disputes ever having problems with furries in its schools. Furthermore, the superintendent said that there were no litter boxes for students dressed up as cats on campus, a rumor that has been spread by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
“At this time, the District has no concerns related to students behaving as anything but typical children,” a statement from the school district said.
A prevention mechanism. At a committee meeting for HB 4814 last week, Gerdes admitted that he could not name any school districts in Texas with confirmed furry behavior.
“That’s what we’ve gotten reports of,” Gerdes said. “Did I go to these school districts and visit and see it with my own eyes? No.”
However, the lawmaker insisted that the bill would give districts the tools to deal with furry behavior in schools if it ever became a problem. HB 4814 was marked as pending by the committee.
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Related | Wikimedia Commons | AndyMcNub | Edited
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