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Shirtstorm (#shirtstorm), also called ShirtGate, is a controversy involving a shirt worn by Dr Matt Taylor of the Rosetta mission.

Background

Dr Matt Taylor is a scientist who is a member of the Rosetta mission. Dr Taylor was asked to give a report on the progress of Philae on the 12th November 2014. He was wearing a colourful shirt depicting cartoon women, some of whom were scantily-clad. The shirt was a birthday gift from Elly Prizeman, a friend of his who has also made the shirt. His choice of clothing was a contrast to other team members. Some people objected to Dr Taylor's choice of clothing as they found it reflected a culture where women were uncomfortable in scientific fields[1]. Some of those objecting insulted Dr Taylor [2][3]. The controversy was reported on several news websites such as CNN,[4] The Telegraph,[5] The Guardian[6] or Talking Points Memo.[7] Other more feminism oriented websites such as The Verge[8] and Stem Women[9] blamed Taylor for his choice of clothing, pointing out rampant sexism associated with it. As a consequence of the trend, the shirt, that can be purchased under the name "New Gunner Girls" on clothing websites such as Alohaland,[10] was shortly after sold out.

Public Apology

On November 14, Dr Taylor broke down in tears on a webcast after he was forced to make a public apology. “I have made a big mistake,” he said. “I have offended people and I am sorry about this”. The event was covered by news websites as well, including Daily Mail[11] and The Guardian.[12] Some feminists celebrated his apology as a victory.[13] This sparked a backlash against the claim, Dr Taylor's shirt might be sexist, as well as his apology.

Backlash

Christina Hoff Sommers tweeted: "Women do not face a hostile climate in science. And they can handle seeing a guy in an edgy shirt."[14] and "So guy in mildly risqué shirt stirs outrage.But topless feminist protestors at Vatican feigning anal sex with cross? [15]".[16] The Telegraph described it as "the day political correctness officially went mad"[17]. Other commenators such as Boris Johnson[18] and Julie Bindel[19] objected to those who had complained about the shirt. Rose Eveleth, an online journalist, received tweets asking her to kill herself as a result of her criticism of Dr Taylor's shirt. [20]. In a statement the Astronomical Society of Australia condemned the reaction those who criticized the shirt had received as "unwarranted and the abuse is reprehensible."[21]. While Phil Plait described the reaction to those criticizing Dr Taylor as "a frothing torrent of backlash misogyny"[22].

People who felt sorry for Dr Taylor started several campaigns to show their support. The biggest so far is the Indiegogo campaign[23] which collects money to give Dr Taylor and everyone from his team a bottle of whiskey with a custom label saying their name and contributions, and an astronomical watch for Dr Taylor to make up for the firestorm he was subjected to which some saw as abuse[24]. The campaign started on November the 15th and has managed to collect over $14.000 3 days later.

References

  1. ^ http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/13/why-women-in-science-are-annoyed-at-rosetta-mission-scientists-clothing
  2. ^ https://twitter.com/roseveleth/status/532539812855959552
  3. ^ https://twitter.com/SarcasticRover/status/532604308303269889
  4. ^ Lisa Respers France, CNN (13 November 2014). "Philae scientist Matt Taylor slammed for sexist shirt - CNN.com". CNN. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "Matt Taylor's sexist shirt and the day political correctness officially went mad". Telegraph.co.uk. 15 November 2014.
  6. ^ Alice Bell. "Why women in science are annoyed at Rosetta mission scientist's clothing". the Guardian.
  7. ^ "Rosetta Scientist Sparks #ShirtStorm With Scantily Clad Women On Shirt". TPM.
  8. ^ "I don't care if you landed a spacecraft on a comet, your shirt is sexist and ostracizing". The Verge.
  9. ^ "Astronomical Sexism: Rosetta #ShirtStorm and Everyday Sexism in STEM". STEM Women.
  10. ^ "New Gunner Girls SOLD OUT » What's New! » Hawaiian Shirt Motherlode".
  11. ^ "Philae probe scientist in sexism row over shirt in tears during live broadcast - Daily Mail Online". Mail Online.
  12. ^ James Meikle. "Rosetta scientist Dr Matt Taylor apologises for 'offensive' shirt". the Guardian.
  13. ^ "Casual sexism: When a shirt is more than a shirt". Slate Magazine.
  14. ^ "Christina H. Sommers on Twitter". Twitter.
  15. ^ "Vatican: Topless Femen Protestors Simulate Sex With Crucifixes While Decrying Pope Francis". International Business Times UK.
  16. ^ "Christina H. Sommers on Twitter". Twitter.
  17. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/11232986/Matt-Taylors-sexist-shirt-and-the-day-political-correctness-officially-went-mad.html
  18. ^ "Dr Matt Taylor's shirt made me cry, too – with rage at his abusers". Telegraph.co.uk. 16 November 2014.
  19. ^ Julie Bindel. "Feminism is in danger of becoming toxic". the Guardian.
  20. ^ Anna Merlan. "Woman Gets Death Threats for Tweeting About Disliking A Dude's Shirt". Jezebel.
  21. ^ http://asa.astronomy.org.au/ASA_Equity_Statement.pdf
  22. ^ http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/11/17/casual_sexism_when_a_shirt_is_more_than_a_shirt.html
  23. ^ "Matt Taylor, Rosetta project scientist". Indiegogo.
  24. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/11234620/Dr-Matt-Taylors-shirt-made-me-cry-too-with-rage-at-his-abusers.html

Sources

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