This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A lawmaker in Texas has proposed a plan to rid public schools of the antics of "furries."
The subculture involves individuals adopting animal identities. They often dress in animal costumes and act like the animal they have chosen.
"I can't believe we have to do this, but we cannot allow these types of role-playing distractions to affect our students who are trying to learn or our teachers and administrators who are trying to teach," explained Rep. Stan Gerdes, R-Smithville, who has introduced the FURRIES Act (Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education).
"We just have to keep this nonsense out of our schools. No distractions. No theatrics. Just education. While school mascots, theater performances, and dress-up days remain part of school spirit, this bill ensures that students and teachers can focus on academics – not on bizarre and unhealthy disruptions. Texas schools are for educating kids, not indulging in radical trends."
A report at the Center Square said the plan was being opposed by LGBTQ Nation which was claiming that "anti-transgender Republicans" are punishing "students who act like non-human animals in schools."
The Houston Chronicle, the report explained, had even charged that Gov. Greg Abbott had "resurrected debunked rumors that public schools were putting litter boxes in classrooms for students dressed as cats."
The bill is a result of concerns expressed by his constituents, Gerdes confirmed, including over a "furry-related" incident at Smithville's school.
Abbott endorsed the plan, pointing out that some schools are dealing with the ideology.
"You have one expectation your child's going to be learning the fundamentals of education: reading and writing and math and science," Abbott said, noting that state lawmakers are close to adopting a plan that supports school choice.
"If children are 'being distracted by furries, their parents have a right to move their child to a school of their choice,' Abbott said. 'I'm not telling you anything other than what is just common sense, but common sense is very hard to deal with in this setting,'" the report posted.
The plan would change the Texas education code to ban "non-human behavior" by students.
That would be defined as behaviors such as wearing "tails, leashes" and "barking, meowing, hissing or other animal noises."
It also would change the Texas Family Code to define as mental or emotional injury to a child settings that encourage "a dependence on or belief that non-human behaviors are societally acceptable."
