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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.

Shortly after some feminists took offence and started insulting Dr Taylor for his choice of clothing, the insults even reached violent nature. The controversy was reported on several news websites such as CNN, The Telegraph, The Guardian or Talking Points Memo. Other more feminism oriented websites such as The Verge and Stem Women 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, 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 and The Guardian. Some feminists celebrated the his apology as a victory. 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." and "So guy in mildly risqué shirt stirs outrage.But topless feminist protestors at Vatican feigning anal sex with cross? ". Other commenators such as Boris Johnson and Julie Bindel objected to those who had complained about the shirt. Rose Eveleth, an online journalist, was sent a death threat as a result of her criticism of Dr Taylor's shirt as well as her calling Dr Taylor an "asshole". 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."

People who felt sorry for Dr Taylor started several campaigns to show their support. The biggest so far is the Indiegogo campaign 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

  1. https://twitter.com/roseveleth/status/532539812855959552
  2. https://twitter.com/ktgrasha/status/532918924355321856
  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. "Dr Matt Taylor's shirt made me cry, too – with rage at his abusers". Telegraph.co.uk. 16 November 2014.
  18. Julie Bindel. "Feminism is in danger of becoming toxic". the Guardian.
  19. https://twitter.com/roseveleth/status/532539812855959552
  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. "Matt Taylor, Rosetta project scientist". Indiegogo.

Sources