Former Texas A&M Lecturer Sues University Over Gender Identity Lesson Termination
Melissa McCoul, a former Texas A&M lecturer, has filed a federal lawsuit against the university, alleging violations of her free speech and due process rights. The lawsuit stems from her termination after teaching a lesson on gender identity.
Lawsuit Details
Filed in Houston, McCoul's lawsuit claims that Governor Greg Abbott's chief of staff contacted then-university President Mark A. Welsh III to advocate for her termination. It further states that Provost Alan Sams was reportedly instructed by supervisors not to provide McCoul with a required pre-termination hearing.
McCoul, who had been with the university since 2017, expressed sadness about filing the lawsuit, describing her teaching position at A&M as her "dream job."
"My teaching position at A&M was my dream job."
She stated her hope that the lawsuit would prompt the university to reconsider similar actions in the future.
Defendants and Demands
The lawsuit names the Texas A&M University System, its nine regents, Chancellor Glenn Hegar, former President Welsh, interim President Tommy Williams, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs James Hallmark as defendants.
McCoul is seeking several outcomes:
- A judicial declaration that she did not violate any law or university policy.
- A declaration that her termination resulted from exercising academic freedom under the First Amendment.
- Reinstatement to her position.
- Punitive damages, back pay, and other restitution. She was fired in September during the second year of a three-year contract.
Background of Firing
Her termination occurred after state Representative Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter). The video, secretly recorded by a student, showed McCoul teaching about gender identity in a summer children's literature class. The student confronted McCoul, asserting the lesson violated a presidential executive order, despite no existing law prohibiting teaching on gender identity.
McCoul clarified that the children's literature course served as a "lens through which various aspects of society are examined," rather than solely an overview of books for children.
Broader Context and University Policy
Following McCoul's firing, Texas A&M and other public universities in the state have reviewed course offerings. Some institutions have canceled courses or limited content perceived as controversial.
Texas A&M subsequently adopted a policy prohibiting courses from "advocating race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity." Exceptions are allowed for certain non-core or graduate courses, provided they are reviewed, shown to serve a "necessary educational purpose," and receive written approval from a campus president.
Brian Evans, president of the American Association of University Professors Texas Conference, characterized McCoul's firing as a "canary in the coal mine" for Texas A&M, suggesting the university did not resist political interference.
"McCoul's firing was a 'canary in the coal mine' for Texas A&M, suggesting the university did not resist political interference."
Responses from A&M and Governor's Office
Chris Bryan, A&M's vice chancellor of marketing and communications, confirmed awareness of the lawsuit, stating the system intends to "vigorously defend against the claims" but would not comment further on pending litigation.
Regarding the alleged involvement of Governor Abbott's chief of staff, a spokesman for the Governor's office stated that state universities should prioritize delivering high-quality education over "political agendas." Press secretary Andrew Mahaleris added, "Radical DEI and gender ideologies will not be forced on students by Texas higher education institutions. Governor Abbott expects our higher education campuses to continue to focus on developing our students into the best and brightest in the world."