Canadian Academic Faces Online Backlash Over Unconventional Name Request
A transgender Canadian academic and parent has ignited a firestorm of controversy online after requesting an unconventional alternative to traditional pronouns. The individual, an Assistant Professor of Queer Studies in Education at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, has asked to be referred to by the full name j wallace skelton in place of third-person pronouns like "he," "she," or "they."
Details of the Request and Personal Background
The professor, who holds a PhD in Education, specified on social media that the name should be spelled entirely in lowercase letters. In personal statements, skelton has emphasized being the parent of three children who identify as non-binary and queer, having given birth to them. A statement on skelton's personal website reads, 'When you misgender someone, you tell a lie about them and a truth about yourself.'
Visually presenting with a goatee, skelton joined the University of Regina faculty in 2022, where courses in queer and trans studies are offered. The academic describes these courses as initiatives that 'invite us to move beyond binaries, and to expect, respect, and celebrate people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.' Further elaboration includes a focus on making educational environments 'safe and welcoming and celebratory for 2SLGBTQ people, refusing to see heterosexuality and cissexuality as normal—heck about refusing the idea of normal.'
Academic Philosophy and Online Reaction
skelton's academic work centers on young children and is committed to creating queer- and trans-centered spaces, informed by frameworks such as Queer of Color Critique, Disability Justice, Feminism, and Social Justice. The professor's PhD thesis explores the desires of 2SLGBTQ children and children of 2SLGBTQ parents in education. In this thesis, skelton self-describes as 'White, Jewish, fat, not visibly disabled, and not living in poverty.'
However, the name preference and academic stance have provoked severe criticism online. When details were shared on social media platform X, users expressed extreme disapproval, labeling the professor with terms like 'sick,' 'mentally disturbed,' and 'a self-hating woman.' One commenter remarked, 'Looks like a self-hating woman on testosterone to me.' Another criticized, 'Somehow mentally disturbed losers have learned to rebrand themselves to get their status elevated in a "progressive" society, quite a scam they have going! Sad reflection that a good portion of Cdn society falls for it.' A third simply stated, 'Sickos.'
Personal Life and Additional Context
skelton has been married for over 15 years to S. Bear Bergman, an author specializing in gender and sexuality topics. Bergman, who notes being a founding member of the first-ever Gay/Straight Alliance, is also a speaker with fees ranging from free to $7,000 per event. A photo celebrating their anniversary received compliments online, with one user describing them as 'gorgeous creatures!!!'
The professor also advocates that 'Education is Political,' arguing that calls to keep politics out of education often mean only certain politics should inform it. The Daily Mail has reached out to j wallace skelton for comment on the ongoing controversy.
