Drop the Texas Bill Targeting “Non-Human Behaviors” in Schools
Drop the Texas Bill Targeting “Non-Human Behaviors” in Schools
The Issue
Texas lawmakers have introduced a disturbing new bill that would ban so-called “non-human behaviors” in schools — a vague, undefined term that opens the door to discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth, neurodivergent students, and anyone who doesn’t conform to rigid norms.
That would be the bill of Rep. Stan Gerdes, author of the FURRIES Act, an embarrassing acronym that unpacks into the "Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education Act."
It is meant to supposedly be about "furries," a subculture of people who dress up as anthropomorphic animal characters.
As reported, "the bill purports to ban "non-human behaviors" in school, a list that includes "using a litter box for the passing of stool," "barking, meowing, hissing, or other animal noises," "licking oneself" and an "outward display" of "features that are non-human."
"Everything about this bill is based on false claims and absolute nonsense. Young children are not "identifying" as animals in school", said Amanda Marcotte in her piece of Salon.
"They are hobbyists who enjoy dressing up as cartoon characters and stuffed animals, create elaborate artworks involving anthropomorphic animals and sometimes attend conventions while wearing homemade animal costumes. This nonsense is ultimately a backdoor assault on the rights of LGBTQ people".
The bill would give schools the power to punish students for behavior that isn’t even clearly outlined — potentially including fidgeting, stimming, expressing gender identity, or simply being “different.” And it fuels a moral panic with no evidence of an actual problem.
This legislation does nothing to protect students — it only stigmatizes and targets vulnerable kids who already face bullying, isolation, and mental health risks.
We call on the Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott to reject this harmful, unnecessary bill immediately.
Commit to creating safe, inclusive school environments for all students — not policies rooted in stigma
Texas kids deserve compassion and support, not culture-war headlines at their expense.
194
The Issue
Texas lawmakers have introduced a disturbing new bill that would ban so-called “non-human behaviors” in schools — a vague, undefined term that opens the door to discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth, neurodivergent students, and anyone who doesn’t conform to rigid norms.
That would be the bill of Rep. Stan Gerdes, author of the FURRIES Act, an embarrassing acronym that unpacks into the "Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education Act."
It is meant to supposedly be about "furries," a subculture of people who dress up as anthropomorphic animal characters.
As reported, "the bill purports to ban "non-human behaviors" in school, a list that includes "using a litter box for the passing of stool," "barking, meowing, hissing, or other animal noises," "licking oneself" and an "outward display" of "features that are non-human."
"Everything about this bill is based on false claims and absolute nonsense. Young children are not "identifying" as animals in school", said Amanda Marcotte in her piece of Salon.
"They are hobbyists who enjoy dressing up as cartoon characters and stuffed animals, create elaborate artworks involving anthropomorphic animals and sometimes attend conventions while wearing homemade animal costumes. This nonsense is ultimately a backdoor assault on the rights of LGBTQ people".
The bill would give schools the power to punish students for behavior that isn’t even clearly outlined — potentially including fidgeting, stimming, expressing gender identity, or simply being “different.” And it fuels a moral panic with no evidence of an actual problem.
This legislation does nothing to protect students — it only stigmatizes and targets vulnerable kids who already face bullying, isolation, and mental health risks.
We call on the Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott to reject this harmful, unnecessary bill immediately.
Commit to creating safe, inclusive school environments for all students — not policies rooted in stigma
Texas kids deserve compassion and support, not culture-war headlines at their expense.
194
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on 12 May 2025