In Oklahoma, a bill has been pre-filed by state legislator Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-19th District) that aims to limit the rights of students who identify as “furries” in schools. The bill, known as House Bill 3084, defines furries as “students who purport to be an imaginary animal or animal species, or who engage in anthropomorphic behavior commonly referred to as ‘furries’ at school.”
If passed, the legislation would dictate that students dressed as furries “shall not be allowed to participate in school.” Furthermore, “the parent or guardian of a student in violation of this section shall pick up the student from school, or animal control services shall be contacted to remove the student.”
The furry community is a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters. Members often create their own characters based on real or mythological animals. According to experts, furries primarily consider their expression as a fandom done for fun, not an official identity.
The proposed legislation has raised concerns about students’ First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court has ruled that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” This includes the right to wear expressive clothing in school, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the functioning of the school. However, what counts as “disruptive” can vary by context.