On March 13, 2025, Republican state Rep. Stan Gerdes suggested the F.U.R.R.I.E.S Act, or the Forbidden Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education Act. This Texas bill’s goal is to stop children from dressing up as or acting like animals in educational spaces. 

This sudden attack on furries comes from a false claim made in 2022 that schools were providing litter boxes for furry students to use rather than the standard toilet. The claim was quickly debunked, though every year it makes its rounds on social media, stirring up debates on whether the existence of furries in schools is acceptable. 

Examples of “non human behavior” provided by the bill include using a litter box, wearing leashes or other accessories made for animals, “barking, meowing, or hissing,” and “licking oneself or others for grooming purposes.” Again, there is no evidence that any schools have ever provided litter boxes for students.

Furries are defined as an “enthusiast for animal characters with human characteristics, in particular a person who dresses up in costume as such a character or uses one as an avatar online.” It is notable to say that not all furries dress up in what they call “fursuits” of their anthropomorphized character, but this furry subculture is more recognizable to the public. 

While fursuiting, either at home, in public, or at conventions, furries typically adopt the personality and mannerisms of their animal character, or fursona, as they interact with their surroundings. Despite these animalistic behaviors, never do furries believe they are an actual animal. 

That perception is still incorrect for another subculture of animal-like communities: therians. Therians are humans with an internal sense of self that aligns with a non-human creature. These people feel like on the inside, they aren’t human, but they know they ARE a human and physically look like a human. 

Neither furries nor therians believe they are an animal, but occasionally partake in non-human behavior, to which this bill specifically targets.

Though furries are not a directly included member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there is plenty of overlap, as a sizable portion of furries identify as queer in some way, either pertaining to gender or sexuality. This leads one to conclude that this is among the many legislative attacks the LGBTQ community has been facing since President Trump’s inauguration.

The F.U.R.R.I.E.S Act quickly gained support from Texas Governor Greg Abbott as he realized this could aid in his push for school choice vouchers. “If they’re being distracted by furries, those parents have a right to move their child to a school of their choice,” Abbott reportedly said. 

Stan Gerdes stands by this bill, believing that it’s just what Texas schools need as students are far too distracted from their education nowadays. “I can’t believe we have to do this,” Gerdes wrote. “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.

But many online claim that the presence of furries in classrooms isn’t the thing on students’ minds. The reality of schooling in the U.S. is the constant fear of a school shooting. Students, teachers, and parents alike all fear the worst to happen when sending their kids off to school everyday.

Opponents of this bill state that it’s a political distraction and takes away from talking about actual problems within schools such as school shootings, drug use, staff pay, and technological problems. Despite this objection, Stan Gerdes is firm in his support, preparing for the massive protests he predicts will happen.

“I fully expect the subculture to show up in full furry vengeance at the committee hearing,” says Gerdes

Unfortunately, the furry fandom is largely unaware of the suggestion of this bill, which only aids in Gerdes and Abbott’s goal of silently passing this violation of the first amendment.

This bill not only affects those three communities, but also thousands of elementary kids who like to pretend to be an animal during recess. Surely you remember at least one person in your 2nd grade class that enjoyed pretending to be the family dog, a horse, or even a dragon. These behaviors are perfectly normal for people, especially young children. 

“Children often use pretend scenarios to explore confusing ideas and experiment with emotions,” Professor of psychology at Wellesley College, expresses. “Social pretend play requires enormous coordination, which means that it affords negotiation, conflict and conflict resolution, and cooperation, not to mention enactment of roles.” 

It is important to state, that no matter what, attacking random and innocent communities that have not harmed society isn’t going to erase the existence of said groups. Furries, therians, and growing children will always engage in this behavior and will always occupy a space in the world. Don’t let the suggestion of this bill scare communities into hiding; take up space. 

Questions raised by the F.U.R.R.I.E.S Act: 

So, the consequences of vaping and wearing dog ears at school are the same?

• According to the bill, if caught wearing animal ears, you could face suspension, expulsion, or admittance to a juvenile justice education program. School districts that fail to enforce this bill will face a first time fine of $10,000 but increase to $25,000 for repeat offenses. 

What if I wear dog earrings?

• You will not likely face any punishment, because the earrings only depict an animal, rather than belonging to one.

If I play a character in my school’s DND club that is non-human, am I going to be expelled?

• If you’re caught on school grounds and partake in non-human behavior in this DND game, it is likely you will be punished. 

If my role in a school play is an animal, is that a violation?

• No, any theater or mascot role in school is exempt.

What if my kids like to pretend to be animals during recess?

• Any non-human behavior like hissing, meowing, barking, growling, or licking is punishable. 

If I dress up as an animal for storybook day am I expelled?

• No, you are allowed to dress up as a non-human on school-approved dress up days, as long as the total count of those days doesn’t exceed 5.

What if I wear a spiked collar that was made for a human?

• Any animal accessories that were made for non-humans are not allowed. Accessories with a history of human wear/use are allowed. 

I like to wear wigs that have a certain percentage of animal hair. Is that allowed?

• Yes wigs are allowed, but wearing furs are not. 

If I act like an animal at home, but not at school, is that ok?

• Contrary to the “Education” portion of the F.U.R.R.I.E.S acronym, this bill proposes to change Texas Family Code, suggesting that allowing children to act out non-human behavior is considered a form of abuse. 

Is my school’s furry club safe?

• No, any school clubs, groups, or organizations that promote the idea that non-human behavior is acceptable are a violation. 

Doesn’t this infringe on my 1st amendment rights?

• Yes, freedom of speech includes the protection of “symbolic speech,” which includes protests, displaying signs, or wearing certain attire.