A college student said in a now-viral TikTok video that her professor gave her a zero on a project proposal for using the term “biological women” because it’s “exclusionary” and perpetuates “heteronormativity.”
What are the details?
The student, Olivia, does not reveal her last name, her college, or the name of her professor. But in the clip — which was posted two days ago and has received a whopping 1.5 million views so far — Olivia provides a screenshot of the zero grade and explanation from her professor.
“Olivia, this is a solid proposal,” the professor wrote. “However, the terms ‘biological women’ are exclusionary and are not allowed in this course as they further reinforce heteronormativity.”
Olivia calls the grade “biased” and adds that her project “is about transgenders competing in biological women’s sports. How am I supposed to do my final project if I can’t use the word ‘biological women,’ but that’s what my project is about?”
Now what?
Olivia posted several follow-up videos further explaining the situation.
In her first follow-up clip, also posted two days ago, Olivia says, “This is exactly the issue nowadays. It is not OK or acceptable to be a biological woman.” Olivia adds that she was told in dialog with her professor that “it’s transphobic to use the term ‘biological woman'” and that doing so is tantamount to “implementing T.E.R.F. ideology, which is trans-exclusionary radical feminism,” which the professor said meant “women who fight for women’s rights but exclude trans because they think that women’s rights are being affected by trans people.” Olivia then quipped, “Which is literally true.”
In another clip, also posted two days ago, Olivia adds that rather than waiting until the course is over, she decided to take up the issue with her school’s Office for Equal Opportunity.
She also read from a syllabus outlining course rules in another clip, noting that the rules state, in part, that students “will not be graded on the content of your opinions, so long as your opinions do not create emotional and/or mental harm for your diverse classmates or espouse bigoted or anti-scientific views.” Olivia then noted that she believes she is the one being “scientific by saying that sex is determined at birth” and that her professor is “the one who’s being anti-scientific.”
Olivia notes in a longer clip that her professor also suggested that she should “edit” her proposal to “focus on women’s rights not females’.” Olivia responds: “I know what she’s trying to say, but it doesn’t work because for my project, if I change the wording, it would be … ‘women’s rights and opportunities are being affected because women are competing in women’s sports.’ That doesn’t make sense.” She added in the video that she has a Wednesday meeting with the Title IX office.
Young America’s Foundation said it was unable to immediately reach Olivia but would “continue trying in order to connect her with legal assistance and resources.”
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