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{{POV|date=November 2014}}
'''Shirtstorm''' (#shirtstorm), also called ShirtGate, is a controversy involving a shirt worn by Dr Matt Taylor of the ].


{{R to section}}
==Background==

] is a scientist who is a member of the ]. 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.

The controversy was reported on several news websites such as CNN,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/13/living/matt-taylor-shirt-philae-rosetta-project/|title=Philae scientist Matt Taylor slammed for sexist shirt - CNN.com|author=Lisa Respers France, CNN|date=13 November 2014|work=CNN}}</ref> The Telegraph,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/11232986/Matt-Taylors-sexist-shirt-and-the-day-political-correctness-officially-went-mad.html|title=Matt Taylor's sexist shirt and the day political correctness officially went mad|date=15 November 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The Guardian<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/13/why-women-in-science-are-annoyed-at-rosetta-mission-scientists-clothing|title=Why women in science are annoyed at Rosetta mission scientist's clothing|author=Alice Bell|work=the Guardian}}</ref> or Talking Points Memo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/rosetta-scientist-matt-taylor-sexist-shirt|title=Rosetta Scientist Sparks #ShirtStorm With Scantily Clad Women On Shirt|work=TPM}}</ref> Other more feminism oriented websites such as The Verge<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/13/7213819/your-bowling-shirt-is-holding-back-progress|title=I don't care if you landed a spacecraft on a comet, your shirt is sexist and ostracizing|work=The Verge}}</ref> and Stem Women<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stemwomen.net/astronomy-sexism-rosetta-shirtstorm/|title=Astronomical Sexism: Rosetta #ShirtStorm and Everyday Sexism in STEM|work=STEM Women}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alohaland.com/whats-new/new-gunner-girls-sold-out|title=New Gunner Girls SOLD OUT » What's New! » Hawaiian Shirt Motherlode|publisher=}}</ref> was shortly after sold out.

==Public Apology==

On November 14, Dr Taylor broke down in tears on a webcast while making 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2834451/Philae-comet-probe-scientist-embroiled-sexism-row-shirt-featuring-scantily-clad-women.html|title=Philae probe scientist in sexism row over shirt in tears during live broadcast - Daily Mail Online|work=Mail Online}}</ref> and The Guardian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/nov/14/rosetta-comet-dr-matt-taylor-apology-sexist-shirt|title=Rosetta scientist Dr Matt Taylor apologises for ‘offensive’ shirt|author=James Meikle|work=the Guardian}}</ref> Many of those who complained accepted his apology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/11/17/casual_sexism_when_a_shirt_is_more_than_a_shirt.html|title=Casual sexism: When a shirt is more than a shirt.|work=Slate Magazine}}</ref>

==Backlash==

Rose Eveleth, an online journalist was sent a death threat as a result of dissent against said shirt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jezebel.com/woman-gets-death-threats-for-tweeting-about-disliking-a-1658337612|title=Woman Gets Death Threats for Tweeting About Disliking A Dude's Shirt|author=Anna Merlan|work=Jezebel}}</ref> In a statement the ] condemned the reaction those who criticized the shirt had received as "unwarranted and the abuse is reprehensible."<ref>http://asa.astronomy.org.au/ASA_Equity_Statement.pdf</ref>

More mainstream commenters also objected. ] tweeted:
"Women do not face a hostile climate in science. And they can handle seeing a guy in an edgy shirt."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CHSommers/status/533775704199274496|title=Christina H. Sommers on Twitter|work=Twitter}}</ref> and
"So guy in mildly risqué shirt stirs outrage.But topless feminist protestors at Vatican feigning anal sex with cross? <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/vatican-topless-femen-protestors-simulate-sex-crucifixes-while-decrying-pope-francis-1474898|title=Vatican: Topless Femen Protestors Simulate Sex With Crucifixes While Decrying Pope Francis|work=International Business Times UK}}</ref>".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/chsommers/status/533327758181400576|title=Christina H. Sommers on Twitter|work=Twitter}}</ref> Other commenators such as ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/11234620/Dr-Matt-Taylors-shirt-made-me-cry-too-with-rage-at-his-abusers.html|title=Dr Matt Taylor’s shirt made me cry, too – with rage at his abusers|date=16 November 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/18/feminism-rosetta-scientist-shirt-dapper-laughs-julien-blanc-inequality?CMP=twt_gu|title=Feminism is in danger of becoming toxic|author=Julie Bindel|work=the Guardian}}</ref> objected to those who had complained about the shirt.
People who felt sorry for Dr Taylor started several campaigns to show their support. The biggest so far is the ] campaign<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/matt-taylor-rosetta-project-scientist|title=Matt Taylor, Rosetta project scientist|work=Indiegogo}}</ref> 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 backlash he was subjected to. The campaign started on November the 15th and has managed to collect over $14.000 3 days later.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==

Latest revision as of 17:58, 1 June 2019

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