The editor is fired from the writing firm after she said the idea that someone with ‘a big five o’clock shadow’ could be a woman ‘shocks me’
- Sibyl Ruth, 63, has raised over £10,000 to take legal action
A publisher is taking legal action against her former employer after she claims the literary consultant dumped her over a gender-critical tweet.
Sibyl Ruth, 63, was working for Cornerstones when she tweeted that she “shocks” someone with a “five o’clock shadow” can be a woman.
Ms Ruth, who lives in Birmingham, has said that instances like this are “a danger to democracy and freedom”.
With the help of the Free Speech Union, Ms Ruth has raised over £10,000 for legal fees so far, but hopes to raise a total of £48,000.
Responding to a photo of a transgender woman, Ms Ruth said: “I think people should be allowed to wear whatever they want etc etc. But what strikes me is the idea that with heavy eye shadow, a perm and lipstick and a bag with gold chains = a woman.”
Sibyl Ruth, 63, was working for Cornerstones when she tweeted that she “shocks” someone with a “five o’clock shadow” can be a woman.
Pictured is Helen Corner-Bryant, who founded Cornerstones Literary Consultancy in 1998.
Ms Ruth said she believes “sex is immutable and determined from conception.”
His legal team believes this comment came to the attention of Cornerstones and that staff were concerned it might cause “reputational damage” to the company.
Cornerstones, which was founded by Helen Corner-Bryant, provides writers with editorial help and guidance.
Ms Ruth claims that Cornerstones abandoned her and removed her from the website shortly after posting the comment on Twitter last year.
She added that her work began to slow down and the consultant said she was unlikely to be involved in future projects.
“I don’t think organizations should have the power to control what we say at home, when we talk to friends or when we discuss current affairs on social media. We are 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 that staff discussed the best way to tell her that she would no longer be used for work.
Next to the crowdfunderMs Ruth wrote: “I am addressing the Employment Court on September 14, 2023 to argue the first part of my case: that I deserve the protection of the Equality Act.”
Cornerstones has been contacted for comment on the matter.
