The University of Oklahoma has dismissed a transgender graduate teaching assistant after a conservative student’s essay arguing that belief in multiple genders is “demonic” sparked a national backlash.
The student, Samantha Fulnecky, failed the assignment in a psychology course after submitting a faith-based response to an academic article on gender norms, prompting claims of religious discrimination when the grade went viral online.
Following an internal review, the university said the instructor’s grading was arbitrary and removed her from instructional duties, while also ensuring the failed paper would not affect Fulnecky’s final course grade.
The case drew sharp political reactions, with conservative figures praising Fulnecky and criticising the instructor, while the university framed its decision as a matter of grading standards rather than the content of the student’s religious views.
