University of Oklahoma student Samantha Fulnecky said on Fox News she received a 0 out of 25 on an essay assignment.
"I was asked to read an article and give my opinion on the article, and the article is about gender binary and mental health and gender stereotypes, specifically in children because it's a lifespan development class."
She said she gave her opinion and reaction to the paper, as she was asked.
"I've been in the class all semester, so prior to this assignment, I've gotten 100% on every single paper, every writing assignment in that class. So, I did this assignment the same as I would any other in that class and gave my opinion on gender binary and gender stereotypes, and that naturally, my views are from the Bible and my Christian kind of worldview, so that's what I wrote about. I didn't think anything of it."
The graduate instructor, Mel Curth, who uses “she/they” pronouns and previously went by the name "Will," assigned the zero based on the essay's failure to use empirical evidence, its use of personal ideology, and offensive language, particularly the term "demonic" when describing societal views on multiple genders, Campus Reform reported.
Fulnecky claims her religious beliefs were violated, leading to the instructor being placed on administrative leave while the university investigates the claim of illegal discrimination based on religious beliefs.
She said a week later she received a zero from Curth.
“He left submission comments saying that my work was offensive, that I need more empathy in my writing, things like if I'm going to argue against the consensus of every medical field and every medical association in the United States, then I need empirical evidence to back that, but there's no empirical evidence or any evidence required anywhere in the instructions or in our syllabus."
Fulnecky quickly concluded she was being punished for what she believes.
"I very clearly stated my beliefs and stated what the Bible -- not just my beliefs, but what the Bible and what God say about gender and about those roles, and that was very offensive to the TA (Teaching Assistant). The TA said that I need more empathy in my work, and that what I was saying was offensive, but I don't understand how my opinion could be offensive in that setting."
She has a message for Curth and other transgender people.
“I think I would just say that God loves him, and that I am saddened that they're offended by the truth of the gospel and the truth that I wrote about in my assignment. It saddens me to see that offends them and upsets them the way it did."
