Texas Rep Fights to Ban Students From Dressing Like Cats in Schools. He Has No Evidence the Problem Exists

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A Texas lawmaker is facing backlash after pushing a bill to ban students from engaging in cat-like behavior in schools—despite offering no evidence such conduct is actually occurring.

Rumors of students identifying as animals and using litter boxes in public schools gained traction online in 2022, prompting school districts across the country—from Iowa to Michigan—to publicly debunk the claims, San Antonio Express-News reported.

PolitiFact found no credible evidence supporting the existence of such policies. Nonetheless, some conservative lawmakers have seized on the narrative as part of a broader campaign to criticize public education and cultural trends.

State Rep. Stan Gerdes introduced the "Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education (F.U.R.R.I.E.S) Act," which would prohibit students in grades six through 12 from engaging in "non-human behavior," such as barking or wearing animal accessories, under threat of penalties for schools and teachers.

Gerdes claimed the idea came from a phone call with a school superintendent in Smithville. However, the district has since publicly refuted his account, saying no such behavior exists and that no litter boxes have been found on campus.

During a House Public Education Committee hearing Tuesday night, Gerdes admitted he had not personally verified any incidents, stating, "Did I go to these school districts and visit and see it with my own eyes? No."

His bill was met with skepticism by state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat who labeled the legislation a "joke" and part of a smear campaign against public schools. Teachers, students and concerned citizens testified in opposition to the bill, expressing concern it could have unintended consequences, including for students with disabilities.

The bill remains pending in committee, with no clear timeline for a vote.