Trans OU instructor faces complaint after TPUSA chapter calls out failing gender essay grade given to Christian student

( Post Millennial )

A student from the University of Oklahoma has filed a discrimination report after she cited the Bible in her essay in response to an article on gender stereotypes. The student has contested her grade on the essay, which she turned in to an instructor who identifies as transgender.

A graduate assistant has been removed from her position amid investigations into the alleged discrimination, per the New York Post. Student Samantha Fulnecky cited the Bible in an argument against the idea that there are multiple genders aside from male and female.

The psychology course's instructor, graduate student Mel Curth uses "she/they" pronouns, and the professor failed Fulnecky, saying that the essay from the student failed to use "empirical evidence" and relied on "personal ideology" in the essay, according to a thread from the TPUSA chapter at the school.

In the essay, Fulnecky said that she did not take issue with gender stereotypes because "that is how God made us."

In a statement from the college, the University of Oklahoma said, "The University of Oklahoma takes seriously concerns involving First Amendment rights, certainly including religious freedoms. Upon receiving notice from the student on the grading of an assignment, the University immediately began a full review of the situation and has acted swiftly to address the matter. First, the college acted immediately to address the academic issue raised by the student. College leaders contacted her on the day her letter was received and have maintained regular communication throughout the process. As previously stated, a formal grade appeals process was conducted. The process resulted in steps to ensure no academic harm to the student from the graded assignments."

"Second, the student reported filing a claim of illegal discrimination based on religious beliefs to the appropriate university office. OU has a clear process for reviewing such claims and it has been activated. The graduate student instructor has been placed on administrative leave pending the finalization of this process. To ensure fairness in the process, a full-time professor is serving as the course instructor for the remainder of the semester. OU remains firmly committed to fairness, respect and protecting every student's right to express sincerely held religious beliefs," the statement added.

The student devoted much of the essay to how children can be damaged by the belief that there are more than two genders. "Society pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth," Fulnecky wrote.

“I live my life based on this truth and firmly believe that there would be less gender issues and insecurities in children if they were raised knowing that they do not belong to themselves, but they belong to the Lord," she added.

Curth said that student points were "at times offensive," and added, “You can say that strict gender norms don’t create gender stereotypes, but that isn’t true by definition of what a stereotype is. Please note that acknowledging gender stereotypes does not immediately denote a negative connotation, a nuance this article discusses."