Fact Check: schools put litter boxes in bathrooms

Fact Check: "Schools Put Litter Boxes in Bathrooms"

What We Know

Starting in 2021, a false rumor circulated that certain North American schools were providing litter boxes in bathrooms for students who "identify as cats" or participate in the furry, otherkin, or therian subcultures. This claim gained traction among conservative politicians and media personalities as a reaction to school districts implementing protections for transgender students (Wikipedia).

Numerous news outlets, fact-checking organizations, and academic researchers have thoroughly debunked these claims. For instance, officials from every school mentioned in these rumors have confirmed that the allegations are false (Wikipedia). The hoax was notably reported in Prince Edward Island, Canada, in October 2021, where it was initially perceived as a joke but later disavowed as misinformation (Wikipedia).

In the United States, the rumors began to spread significantly after a Michigan school board meeting in December 2021, where a parent claimed that Midland Public Schools had installed litter boxes for students identifying as furries. The Superintendent of Midland Public Schools, Michael Sharrow, firmly denied these claims, stating, "There is no truth whatsoever to this false statement/accusation!" (Snopes, USA Today).

Analysis

The claim that schools are providing litter boxes for students is unfounded and has been widely discredited. The sources promoting this rumor often lack credible evidence and are primarily driven by political agendas. For example, the initial claim in Midland, Michigan, was made by a local activist without any substantiated proof (Snopes).

Several fact-checking organizations, including Politifact and USA Today, have reported that school districts across multiple states, including Iowa and Nebraska, have also debunked similar claims (Politifact, USA Today). The spread of this hoax has been characterized as a form of internet trolling and fearmongering, particularly against the backdrop of increasing recognition of gender diversity in schools (Wikipedia, NBC News).

The reliability of the sources promoting the litter box narrative is questionable, as many are affiliated with conservative political movements that have a vested interest in portraying LGBTQ+ protections negatively. For instance, the narrative has been used to generate alarm regarding the accommodations for LGBTQIA+ students, often framing them as extreme or absurd (Wikipedia, NBC News).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms for students who identify as cats is entirely unfounded. It has been thoroughly debunked by multiple credible sources, including school officials and fact-checking organizations. The narrative appears to be a politically motivated hoax aimed at inciting fear and opposition to LGBTQ+ protections in educational settings.

Sources

1. Litter boxes in schools hoax - Wikipedia
2. Did a Michigan School District Install Litter Boxes in Bathrooms? - Snopes
3. Claim about schools providing litter boxes for students - Politifact
4. How an urban myth about litter boxes in schools became a GOP talking point - NBC News
5. Fact check: Rumor about litter box in a Michigan school is false - USA Today
6. Litter Boxes in Schools: How a Disruptive and Demeaning Hoax Frustrated School Leaders - Education Week
7. Salem-Keizer: Claims of litter boxes in school restrooms are false - Statesman Journal