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Texas A&M Panel Says Firing of Lecturer Over Gender-Identity Lesson Was Unjustified

06:04 PM, 11/23/2025
Texas A&M Panel Says Firing of Lecturer Over Gender-Identity Lesson Was Unjustified

An internal Texas A&M review committee unanimously found that the summary dismissal of senior lecturer Melissa McCoul over a children's literature lesson on gender identity was not justified, saying the university failed to follow proper procedures and did not establish good cause. The nonbinding recommendation has been sent to interim President Tommy Williams for review. McCoul's lawyer says the university's reasons appear weak and the dispute may head to court. The episode prompted criticism from state officials and led the Board of Regents to require presidential approval for courses addressing gender or sexual identity topics.

An internal review committee at Texas A&M University has concluded that the university's decision to dismiss senior lecturer Melissa McCoul over a classroom dispute involving a children's literature lesson on gender identity was not justified.

Committee findings and next steps

The committee unanimously found that the university failed to follow proper procedures and did not establish adequate cause for a summary dismissal. Committee members stated that 'the summary dismissal of Dr. McCoul was not justified.' Their recommendation is nonbinding and has been forwarded to interim President Tommy Williams for review and a final decision.

What happened in class

The dispute began after a student recorded a class session in which she asked McCoul whether teaching about gender identity was legal, referencing executive actions promoted by former President Donald Trump that sought to limit certain instruction in higher education. The class included a slide labeled 'Gender Unicorn' and covered the children’s book Jude Saves the World, whose protagonist comes out as nonbinary. Following an exchange about the legality of the material, McCoul asked the student to leave the classroom.

Political reaction and institutional changes

Governor Greg Abbott and several Republican lawmakers publicly demanded McCoul be fired after viewing the recording. The controversy also prompted criticism of university leadership; the then-president later resigned. In the aftermath, the university's Board of Regents issued a policy requiring advance presidential approval for any course that would 'advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity.'

McCoul's attorney, Amanda Reichek, said the university's stated reasons for dismissal are weak and may be a pretext for political pressure. Reichek indicated the case could proceed to court if the university pursues termination.

Significance

The committee's finding highlights procedural concerns about how the university handled the dispute and raises broader questions about academic freedom, course content transparency and political influence on campus decisions. With the recommendation now in the interim president's hands, the case could still move to litigation depending on the university's next steps.

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Texas A&M Panel Says Firing of Lecturer Over Gender-Identity Lesson Was Unjustified - CRBC News