The editor was strongly put off writing when she said the idea that someone with a ‘heavy five o’clock shadow’ could be a woman ‘makes me sick’.
Sybil Ruth, 63, raised more than £10,000 for the legal action
An editor is taking legal action against her former employer after she claims the literary consultant dropped her for a gender-critical tweet.
Sybil Ruth, 63, was working for Cornerstones when she tweeted that it ‘blows my mind’ that someone with a ‘heavy five o’clock shadow’ could be a woman.
Ms Ruth, who lives in Birmingham, said such incidents were ‘a danger to democracy and freedom’.
With the help of the Free Speech Union, Ms Ruth has so far raised more than £10,000 in legal fees, but hopes to raise a total of £48,000.
Responding to a photo of a transgender woman, Miss Ruth said: ‘I believe people should be allowed to wear what they want etc etc… but in my mind heavy five o’clock shadow, a perm and lippie and a bag with a gold chain = woman.’
Sybil Ruth, 63, was working for Cornerstones when she tweeted that it ‘blows my mind’ that someone with a ‘heavy five o’clock shadow’ could be a woman.
Photo by Helen Corner-Bryant who founded Cornerstones Literary Consultancy in 1998
Ms Ruth said she believed that ‘sex is immutable and determined from conception’.
His legal team believes the comment was brought to the attention of Cornerstones and staff were concerned it could ‘damage the company’s name’.
Cornerstones, founded by Helen Corner-Bryant, provides editorial support and guidance to writers.
Ms Ruth claims she was ostracized by Cornerstones and removed from the website after posting comments on Twitter last year.
He added that his work has started to slow down and the consultant has said that he is unlikely to go out on future projects.
‘I don’t believe that companies should have the power to control what we say at home, when we talk to friends, or when we discuss relevant topics on social media. We’re all different,’ she said.
He added that employees should be able to explore their differences without risking losing their jobs.
According to Ms Ruth’s legal team, a subject access request revealed staff discussed how to tell her she would no longer be employed.
Alongside the crowdfunder, Ms Ruth wrote: ‘I am going to argue the first part of my case at the Employment Tribunal on 14 September 2023: that I deserve equality law protection.’
Cornerstones has been contacted for comment on this matter.
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