In the
now-viral video, shared by state Rep. Brian Harrison on social media Monday morning, a professor can be heard mentioning “gender and sexuality,” and then a student can be heard interrupting and telling the professor, “I’m not entirely sure this is legal to be teaching.” The student then
mentioned Trump’s executive order that declares the U.S. only recognizes two unchangeable sexes and prohibits federal funds from being used to “promote gender ideology.”
The professor, identified in
multiple local reports as Melissa McCoul, then disagreed with the student, saying, “What we are doing is not illegal.” She recommended the student speak to the department head or the head of undergraduates and then asked her to leave the class.
"In response to a request for comment regarding the termination and the video, which is undated but appears to be from a summer course, McCoul referred NBC News to her lawyer, Amanda Reichek. In an emailed statement, Reichek, an attorney with Tillotson Johnson and Patton in Dallas, confirmed McCoul was terminated Tuesday and that it was her voice in the viral video.
Reichek said McCoul’s notice of termination alleged that she was repeatedly instructed to change the course content “to align with the catalog description and the course description that was originally submitted and approved” and that McCoul failed to do so.
“However,
Professor McCoul’s course content was entirely consistent with the catalog and course description, and she was never instructed to change her course content in any way, shape, or form,” Reicheck said. “In fact, Dr. McCoul taught this course and others like it for many years, successfully and without challenge. Instead, Dr. McCoul was fired in derogation of her constitutional rights and the academic freedom that was once the hallmark of higher education in Texas. She has appealed her termination and is exploring further legal action."
Calls for Welsh’s ousting intensified over his handling of a student’s complaints about gender identity discussions in a children’s literature class.
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