Oklahoma has just declared war against “furries” in the classroom. Oklahoma State Rep. Justin Humphrey recently introduced House Bill 3084, which prohibits furries from K-12 school campuses: “Students who purport to be an imaginary animal or animal species, or who engage in anthropomorphic behavior commonly referred to as furries at school shall not be allowed to participate in school curriculum or activities.” If students violate this rule, their parents will be asked to pick them up, and if they’re unavailable, “animal control services shall be contacted to remove the student.”
While funny, it’s debatable whether HB 3084 should be an actual law. At first glance, Humphrey’s bill seems like the Republican version of Democrats in 2022 passing a law against lynching: political pandering that doesn’t address any real need. There’s an array of other laws and policies (dress codes, student conduct handbooks, etc.) already in place to remedy the issue should it arise.
But there’s more to this bill than meets the eye. This isn’t just about cracking down on furries. As Humphrey explains, this is about mental health: “If you think that you’re an animal, that’s a mental health issue, and we need to get you mental health assistance. Some people are going to say, ‘Well, they’re being artistic.’ There’s nothing artistic about mental illness.”
Causes of the Problem
Although I have no experience with furries, I’ve witnessed many students struggling with poor mental health. Indeed, this is one of the hallmarks of Gen Z, and there’s no mystery
