The University of Oklahoma fired a transgender graduate student after placing her on leave for failing a student’s Bible-based response to an article on gender stereotypes. The 20-year-old junior, Samantha Fulnecky, referenced the bible in her argumentative response, and when she was failed for not citing her sources in an academic paper, she threw a fit and played the victim. 

Oklahoma Graduate Professor Fired

The psychology course’s graduate instructor, Mel Curth, was officially removed from her position after Fulnecky drew national attention to what she believed was religious discrimination, and it was met with serious backlash. Oklahoma University started an investigation to look into the claims and posted a statement of their conclusion on Monday, December 22, 2025.

“Based on an examination of the graduate teaching assistant’s own statements related to this matter, it was determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper. The graduate teaching assistant will no longer have instructional duties at the university,” the school wrote in a statement on X.

Oklahoma University originally placed Curth on administrative leave after Fulnecky’s essay went viral, and she filed a petition to have the grade overturned. She also reached out to the state’s governor because she believed her religious freedom was being infringed upon. Earlier this month, Fulnecky’s zero on the assignment was wiped from her record as her petition was approved. 

The Assignment and Essay

The assignment at issue asked students to write a 650-word response to an academic article. They were meant to examine whether conforming to gender norms was due to popularity or bullying among middle school students. Fulnecky failed her essay, not for referencing the bible, but due to her lack of following directions and not completing the assignment as asked. In her essay, she argued there were not more than two genders because “that is how God made us.”

“Society pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth,” Fulnecky wrote. “I live my life based on this truth and firmly believe that there would be less gender issues and insecurities in children if they were raised knowing that they do not belong to themselves, but they belong to the Lord.”

In her kind response to Fulnecky’s essay, Curth said she failed to address the prompt, and instead she focused on “personal ideology” rather than “empirical evidence.” Curth also wrote that at times, Fulnecky’s assertions were offensive. “To call an entire group of people ‘demonic’ is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population,” Curth wrote. “You can say that strict gender norms don’t create gender stereotypes, but that isn’t true by definition of what a stereotype is. Please note that acknowledging gender stereotypes does not immediately denote a negative connotation, a nuance this article discusses.”

Conservatives Praise Curth’s Removal

Ryan Walters, the former superintendent of Oklahoma state schools, cheered on Fulnecky, claiming she was “an American hero” for arguing “the war on Christianity.” Walters is best known for trying to mandate the Trump-bible in schools, forcing parents to prove their citizenship in order to enroll their children, and requiring bible study in all public schools. Gentner Drummond, the Oklahoma State Attorney General, supported Walters’ resignation and claimed they would be better off without him running their education system. 

Oklahoma state Representative Gabe Woolley praised the school’s response in a post on X. He presented Fulnecky with a “citation of recognition.” After Curth was removed from her position, he made a statement in favor of the university. “This was the right decision. As I said from the beginning, this individual should never have been employed at a public university — particularly in a human sciences role — when he rejects the fundamental biological reality that there are two genders.”

Department Acknowledged Mel Curth

Mel Curth was an outstanding professor, and the Department of Psychology at the University of Oklahoma recognized her for it only a month ago, just before Fulnecky created a situation that would change the trajectory of Curth’s life and reputation.

On LinkedIn, the department posted a photo of Curth and wrote, We are proud to announce that Mel Curth has been awarded the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award by the Department of Psychology! “

“This distinction honors graduate instructors who demonstrate exceptional teaching skill, dedication to student growth, and innovation in the classroom.”

“Mel’s dedication to fostering curiosity, engagement, and understanding in students exemplifies the very best of our teaching community.”

“Congratulations, Mel, on this outstanding achievement and your continued contributions to our students’ success!”