BUZZ
Key Takeaways
- Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell mandated that faculty teach there are only two sexes to comply with state and federal laws, despite acknowledging differing personal views.
- The directive has drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups who argue it harms students and restricts academic freedom, asserting that it harms discussions around gender identity.
- A recent incident involving the firing of English lecturer Melissa McCoul for her lessons on gender identity has highlighted tensions over the implementation of this mandate, leading to claims of violations of constitutional rights.
In a memo dated September 25, Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell informed all the presidents of affiliated schools that in-class instruction must note there are only two sexes, so as to comply with “state and federal law, executive orders, and directives issued” by President Trump and Governor Abbott.
“While recognizing the First Amendment rights of employees in their personal capacity,” Mitchell’s memo reads, “faculty must comply with these laws in the instruction of students, within the course and scope of their employment.
“I recognize that members of our community may hold differing personal views on these matters.
Regardless, in your role as a state employee, compliance with the law is required, and I trust in your
professionalism to carry out these responsibilities in a manner that reflects well on our universities.”
The Texas Tech system includes Texas Tech U., Angelo State University, Midwestern State University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso.
Texas law does recognize that “people can be born with a disorder of sex development or intersex, meaning having sex characteristics that do not fit binary definitions of male or female,” NBC News.com reports.
The head of the Texas LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality Texas claimed the mandate “harms” students.
“Free speech is the backbone of American Democracy,” Brad Pritchett said. “We cannot stand idly by while the lives of our trans neighbors are erased from the history books.”
Pritchett added “Students deserve universities where professors fearlessly observe and question our world—limiting classroom discussion and research topics will only degrade our state’s standing in the world of academia.”
Earlier this month, Texas Tech English lecturer Melissa McCoul was fired after a student whistleblower had challenged her lessons on “gender identity and gender fluid themes.” The NBC News report notes the head of the English department and a dean also were terminated.
Texas State Representative Brian Harrison had noted on X some of McCoul’s lessons: “Students were forced to learn the ‘gender unicorn,’ which propagandizes extreme transgender ideology,” “class instruction on ‘let’s talk gender in children’s lit,’” and how “childhood is the time for figuring out how to be a boy, girl, man, woman, or another gender.”
McCoul’s attorney told The College Fix that her client was fired “in derogation of her constitutional rights and the academic freedom,” and that they’ve have appealed and are considering “further legal action.”
MORE: Texas senator who led DEI ban poised to helm Texas Tech system
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