'Ridiculous': Oklahoma lawmaker proposes school 'furry' ban, stirring global controversy

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — An Oklahoma lawmaker is proposing a bill that would ban 'furries' at school from participating in class, and school activities. It's an idea that has caught the attention of people worldwide.

State Rep. J.J. Humphrey (R-Lane) filed this bill. He wants to stop what he calls a statewide problem.

"People are going to call me insane for running this bill," State Rep. Humphrey said. "Hell, I'd say they're insane."

House Bill 3084 would require a student's parent or guardian to pick them up from school if they dress up like an animal.

"It's insanity. We need to call it what it is. I'm happy to run the bill and address it,"State Rep. Humphrey stated.

The legislation would also allow animal control services to remove the student from class if they're found in violation, and a parent can't pick the student up.

"If you've got an animal coming to school, how about we get them vaccinated? How about we get them neutered? How about we send them to the pound? And that's what this bill is going to be about. Stop this ignorance," said State Rep. Humphrey.

It's an idea that has the attention of people within that community, like Marxon, who just moved to Yukon.

"I can only assume that he doesn't know anything," Marxon said. "I'm tempted to just go right up to the Capitol. and make an appointment. Just ask him, 'Hey, do you want to know more? Do you want to get a little better understanding?' Not intending to confront him, or nothing. Just kind of ask him, 'Where's this coming from?"

Kylie Grubbs from Tulsa says this bill distracts from what lawmakers should really be focused on: improving the state's education system.

"We're instead trying to belittle children just for identifying themselves as something that the legislator doesn't understand, or have any familiarity with," Grubbs said.

The controversy is even being talked about in Wales.

"I think the bill is absolutely ridiculous," Shrapnel Vargr said. "Having read through it, they're saying the kid's going to get picked up by the parent or they're going to call animal control? What's the heck that all about? That's just wasting animal control's time because they're not going to do anything with the kid."

Marxon says he wants to try getting a hold of Humphrey this week to discuss the bill.

Scissortail Fandoms shared the following statement with Fox 25:

Scissortail Fandoms is an Oklahoma based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of protecting disadvantaged youth, LGBTQIA2S+, and BIPOC individuals within our state and runs an annual Furry Convention named AnthroExpo now based out of Norman, Oklahoma that raises money for services like PivotOKC and SISU Youth Services.

House Bill 3084 by Representative Humphrey is distracting from a larger systemic issue in our state’s education system. Our state should focus on issues of inequality, poverty, and our lacking educational standards rather than attempting to limit a child’s imagination or their ability to identify as they truly are.

We encourage parents and officials to come to our convention and see the creativity and expression that Furry can create for our youth.