A former Texas A&M professor fired after a classroom dispute over gender identity is suing the university, alleging she was terminated for exercising her academic freedom and that administrators caved to political pressure from state leaders.
Melissa McCoul, a former English literature professor at Texas A&M University, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday in Houston claiming the school violated her First Amendment and due process rights. According to the suit, McCoul was dismissed in September after a secretly recorded argument with a student over gender identity in a children’s literature course was circulated online.
The footage was shared by GOP state Rep. Brian Harrison and quickly drew attention from conservative lawmakers. The exchange centered on whether McCoul’s lesson violated an executive order issued by President Donald Trump restricting how race and gender topics may be taught.
McCoul’s lawsuit alleges that pressure intensified after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott became involved. According to the complaint, Abbott’s chief of staff contacted Texas A&M administrators and urged them to fire McCoul, and the university complied without granting her a required hearing. “Texas A&M University ran roughshod over Dr. McCoul’s due process rights in its haste to meet Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s demand,” the lawsuit states.
McCoul argues she was fired solely for the content of her course, which she says was consistent with her syllabus and the approved scope of the class. She is seeking reinstatement, back pay, punitive damages, and other relief.
In a statement to The Texas Tribune, McCoul described the lawsuit as painful rather than vindictive. She called her position at Texas A&M her “dream job” and said she never imagined taking legal action against the university. “There’s no satisfaction in doing this, only sadness,” she said, adding that she still loves the institution, her former colleagues, and her students. She said she hopes the case will prevent similar treatment of other faculty.
The dispute comes amid broader changes at Texas A&M. Months after McCoul’s firing, the university announced it would end its women’s and gender studies program and revise the syllabi of hundreds of courses. Six classes were canceled outright as part of new restrictions on how race and gender may be discussed.
Interim President Tommy Williams said the changes were intended to restore public trust and academic integrity. The university has argued that the canceled courses represent just 0.11% of those offered this semester and that the gender studies program was discontinued partly due to low student interest.
