Podcast Summary: "University of Oklahoma Trans Instructor's Attorney Still in the Fight After Appeal Denied"

There Are No Girls on the Internet
Host: Bridget Todd
Guest: Brittany Stewart, Civil Rights Attorney
Date: February 11, 2026

Overview

This episode details the ongoing legal and personal journey of Mel Kurth, a transgender teaching assistant at the University of Oklahoma who faced a nationwide backlash after assigning a failing grade to a student essay. Mel’s attorney, Brittany Stewart, joins host Bridget Todd to discuss the case’s broader implications for trans academics and marginalized people, the climate of targeted harassment, and the resilience of affected communities. The conversation weaves in personal stories, legal details, and a call to support local advocacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Incident and National Firestorm

• Background ([00:32-02:36]):
  • Mel Kurth, a trans TA at the University of Oklahoma, failed Samantha Folnacki's psychology assignment, which espoused anti-trans views and didn't respond to the prompt.
  • Samantha immediately filed a complaint and reached out to Turning Point USA, sparking a media blitz and Mel's removal from teaching.
  • The incident exemplifies a coordinated effort to purge LGBTQ+ (particularly trans) individuals from academia and public life.

Brittany Stewart’s Legal and Personal Journey

• Becoming a Civil Rights Attorney ([02:52-05:48]):
  • Brittany initially sought to be "stealth" about her trans identity but found value—and necessity—in being open for herself and her community.
  • Notably, a conservative Christian client expressed support after her public coming out, showing, as Stewart says, “there's definitely more good in people out there than we sometimes give them credit for.” ([05:11])

Life in Minnesota Amid Political Backlash

• Safety and Siege in Minnesota ([06:21-12:39]):

  • After Trump's election, Brittany relocated for safety; as of recording, Minnesota faces aggression from federal agents due to its pro-trans policies.
  • She notes the toll on communities: “It's just traumatizing on so many levels…what it's like to have 3,000 paramilitary thugs driving around your city.” ([06:54])

• Community Response and Preparedness ([10:01-11:40]):

  • Existing networks allowed for rapid, effective community organizing when threats escalated. Brittany urges other cities to learn from Minnesota's example.

Mel’s Current Status and University Response

• Support and Setbacks ([13:14-15:36]):

  • Mel has received considerable local support, even from her conservative Catholic family and people in Norman, OK.
  • Despite sensational headlines, Mel remains in her graduate program, though removed from teaching.

• University’s Internal Appeals and Lack of Transparency ([15:43-17:38]):

  • The university outsourced Mel’s appeal to an external law firm; the response was unsigned by any individual attorney and “cites no law…doesn’t read like what you would think of a legal opinion.” ([15:43])
  • Stewart critiques the process: “The whole process has just been wildly lacking in transparency.” ([17:58])

The Media Blitz and Asymmetry of Response

• Student’s Media Campaign vs. Mel's Silence ([19:42-22:12]):

  • Samantha went on a media tour; Mel was bound by confidentiality and could not defend herself.
  • University officials did help Mel with online safety measures.

• Vulnerability of Graduate Instructors ([22:19-23:37]):

  • Mel, lacking tenure or institutional protections, faced an outsized and unfair level of public scrutiny.
  • Bridget reflects: “It just is a very unfair situation, I guess, is what I'm saying.”

• Public Perception and Internet Reactions ([23:37-24:32]):

  • The student’s essay, released publicly, backfired, as many agreed it was subpar. Mel felt “vindicated that so many people were posting about it and could see it for what it was.” ([23:37])

Evidence of Bias & Broader Patterns

• Disparate Treatment Based on Identity ([26:14-28:10]):

  • Another TA (cisgender, white) also graded the assignment as a zero but faced no backlash.
  • Brittany: “So it seems that this really is all about focusing on the trans person in the scenario and punishing them for giving the same grade...” ([26:56])

• Turning Point USA and the Far-Right Agenda ([28:54-30:35]):

  • The student contacted Turning Point USA, known for its anti-LGBTQ+ “Professor Watch List.”
  • Stewart: “It’s all about control. It’s about kicking out anyone who's not a white Christian nationalist and shoving them out of academia.” ([28:54])

Cynicism and Motive Behind the Attack

• Manufactured Outrage and Right-Wing Grift ([31:52-33:43]):

  • Bridget and Brittany discuss the student’s apparent intent to launch a right-wing media career by exploiting the incident.
  • Brittany speculates motivations may involve both student and her attorney mother—who also represents January 6th rioters.

• Potential Precedent for Abuse ([36:29-37:08]):

  • Bridget worries this will encourage students to weaponize identity against marginalized instructors to erase bad grades and win media attention.

Legal Context and Past Successes

• Progress is Possible ([38:51-41:52]):

  • Brittany previously won a million-dollar verdict for a trans professor in Oklahoma, even with a conservative jury.
  • The key: meeting jurors “where they are” ethically and relating discrimination to fairness, not identity specifics.

• Strategy and Practical Advocacy ([41:52-44:00]):

  • Stewart describes the necessity of using relatable arguments and analogies (e.g., merit badges and fairness) instead of focusing on the complexities of identity.

Hope and Call to Action

• Hope Amidst Crisis ([44:00-45:59]):

  • Brittany maintains optimism, citing Minnesota’s fierce civic engagement.
  • “When some outside force comes in and tells them you don't get to have a voice, that only makes them buck up harder and say, oh, yeah?” ([45:53])

• How to Support ([46:12-47:54]):

  • Brittany cautions listeners against fraudulent fundraisers. Instead:
    • Support local LGBTQ+ organizations
    • Stay informed and vigilant

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Out and Bringing People Along:

  • “I do need to be out here being more of a leader because I can bring people our way.”
    —Brittany Stewart ([04:04])

• On the ICE Occupation in Minnesota:

  • “It's just traumatizing on so many levels…to have 3,000 paramilitary thugs driving around your city.”
    —Brittany Stewart ([06:54])

• On University’s Response to Appeal:

  • “In my 20 years of legal practice, I have never seen a law firm send something out that says it's just signed by the firm.”
    —Brittany Stewart ([15:43])

• On Support for Mel in Norman, OK:

  • “…people coming up to her table and thanking her for being herself and saying, let me pay your tab for brunch today…She's feeling a lot of love and support…”
    —Brittany Stewart ([13:14])

• On Weaponizing Identity in Academia:

  • “Doesn't this set a precedent that perhaps we do not want on college campuses that anytime there is a grade complaint you can just say, well the professor who gave it to me, guess what, she's trans.”
    —Bridget Todd ([36:29])

• On Right-Wing Media Exploitation:

  • “I can step on this trans PA to get my face out there and start trying to do the right wing media grift.”
    —Brittany Stewart ([31:52])

• On Framing Discrimination:

  • “We didn’t need to know. Everybody was perfectly right on any perfect issue. It was getting it into their heads. The framing of, like, you don't want to be treated unfairly and you don't want others to be treated unfairly.”
    —Brittany Stewart ([41:52])

• On Community Action:

  • “What Mel would like people to do who want to help is help in your local area…Mel just wants people to support their communities where they're at, so that we can all have each other's back.”
    —Brittany Stewart ([46:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:32] — Overview of the OU incident and Mel’s case
• [02:52] — Brittany Stewart introduces herself and her background
• [06:21] — Brittany and Bridget discuss current political climate and community response in Minnesota
• [13:14] — How Mel is doing and the community support she's received
• [15:43] — Details and irregularities in the university's appeal process
• [19:42] — Samantha's media tour vs. Mel’s forced silence and digital safety measures
• [23:37] — Internet reaction to the released student paper
• [26:14] — Second TA corroborates Mel’s grading; evidence of discrimination
• [28:54] — Turning Point USA’s involvement and attacks on marginalized academics
• [36:29] — The dangerous precedent this case could set for other instructors
• [38:51] — Brittany recounts previous successful civil rights litigation in Oklahoma
• [44:00] — Brittany’s continued optimism and observations on Minnesota’s resilience
• [46:22] — How listeners can actually help (community, not personal donations)

Conclusion

This episode captures the personal toll and structural dangers of coordinated attacks on trans academics, but also highlights resilience—from individual support for Mel, to broader lessons about community solidarity and tactical legal advocacy. The takeaway is both a warning and a call to organize locally, stay vigilant, and keep hope alive amidst adversity.