GOP Bill Would Stop ‘Furries’ From Invading Texas Classrooms

metroweekly.com:

The Center Square.The bill directs school boards to enact penalties for students who act in such a manner, including suspension or expulsion.Additionally, the measure allows the Texas Attorney General to impose a fine of $10,000 for a first offense — and $25,000 for subsequent offenses — if teachers and administrators fail to stop students from behaving like animals.Gerdes’ measure would also amend the Texas Family Code to redefine mental or emotional injury to a child as including “allowing or encouraging the child to develop a dependence on or belief that non-human behaviors are societally acceptable.”Under the code, allowing such behavior would be considered tantamount to subjecting a child to harm, including sexual abuse, human trafficking, prostitution, child pornography, child marriage, and use of controlled substances.Gerdes filed the bill in response to feedback from constituents, and a furry-related incident that allegedly occurred at the Smithville Independent School District.He did not elaborate on what the incident entailed or when it occurred — although he claimed that the superintendent confirmed the incident had taken place — and no known news reports in recent years have covered any such alleged incident.Gerdes’ obsession with furries relies on a common right-wing trope that has been repeated by Republicans who have sought political office.

That trope relies on the idea that transgender identity is inherently invalid, equating a person who feels their gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth to people who cosplay and roleplay as animals.The comparison is used to stir up opposition to transgender identity and trans-inclusive school policies, asserting that public schools have become so.