Female scientists fight back with photos of their 'distractingly sexy' outfits
Nobel winner resigned honorary post after calling female researchers 'very disruptive to the science'
After British scientist Tim Hunt opined on "trouble with girls" in science labs — "they fall in love with you and when you criticize them, they cry" — scientists mocked the Nobel winner with their photos of how "distractingly sexy" they are at work.
Hunt resigned from his honorary post at University College London on Thursday after saying: "I'm really, really sorry I caused any offence, that's awful. I certainly didn't mean that. I just meant to be honest, actually." The Nobel laureate stood by his assertion that having women in labs is "very disruptive to the science."
The scientists posting to the #distractinglysexy hashtag, however, are showing themselves actually doing science.
The hashtag was coined on Twitter by a feminist magazine.
Call for all female scientists to upload pictures of themselves at work with the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a>
—@VagendaMagazineMost days, there's a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/womeninscience?src=hash">#womeninscience</a> hashtag that requires the recycling of this picture Today: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/DQmzj0nBzI">pic.twitter.com/DQmzj0nBzI</a>
—@EleanorPalserIs that a magnetic wrench in your pocket or are you just happy to see my array? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DistractinglySexy?src=hash">#DistractinglySexy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimHunt?src=hash">#TimHunt</a> <a href="http://t.co/0DtP2S9RJr">pic.twitter.com/0DtP2S9RJr</a>
—@baileyannsNot getting any work done! Too busy falling in love with my little dudes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimHunt?src=hash">#TimHunt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/HqgeiFRRYh">pic.twitter.com/HqgeiFRRYh</a>
—@DiatomDivaGood thing the only males in lab today are preserved specimens, or else I might have been <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/31gfylvgtm">pic.twitter.com/31gfylvgtm</a>
—@Muskie_MadnessWhat? You've never monitored 5 computer screens before? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/xqm3zi7R5S">pic.twitter.com/xqm3zi7R5S</a>
—@absolutspacegrlSome posted photos wearing gear required for work, which, while functional, isn't exactly revealing.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GirlsWithToys?src=hash">#GirlsWithToys</a> on RRS Discovery but don't worry - we have our token male <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AddMaleAuthorGate?src=hash">#AddMaleAuthorGate</a> <a href="http://t.co/svHHkVHkk0">pic.twitter.com/svHHkVHkk0</a>
—@_glitterwormExcuse me while me and my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> self take a ton of dirt samples. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/womeninscience?src=hash">#womeninscience</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/internship?src=hash">#internship</a> <a href="http://t.co/63OJkYaRfi">pic.twitter.com/63OJkYaRfi</a>
—@MissMargaret29How do my male colleagues publish anything when I show up dressed so revealing? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/D3GYQQciyc">pic.twitter.com/D3GYQQciyc</a>
—@vanqtruongIdk how any men were able to function when I was in this bunny suit and integrating a satellite. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/XjFVpgQsnL">pic.twitter.com/XjFVpgQsnL</a>
—@StephEvz43Others dressed just the way they wanted and were still able to get the science done.
Cutting fish heads open is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a>. Good thing I was able to get the job done without crying <a href="http://t.co/8ThTLx1dcz">pic.twitter.com/8ThTLx1dcz</a>
—@Marcy_CockrellIf bros can't control themselves, that's their fault. Ok to work w <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> dead things & dress like a girl <a href="http://t.co/qd7089JgIT">pic.twitter.com/qd7089JgIT</a>
—@cenewman0Many tweets took the form of mock laboratory warning signs.
This is now up in our lab! Watch out :) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimHunt?src=hash">#TimHunt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/HGRJcVmywt">pic.twitter.com/HGRJcVmywt</a>
—@MsFewingsGenius. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimHunt?src=hash">#TimHunt</a> inspired lab safety signs. <a href="http://t.co/3O5bbcQ2Zm">pic.twitter.com/3O5bbcQ2Zm</a>
—@vickyyyfPosted outside my office. For safety. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hcil?src=hash">#hcil</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TimHunt?src=hash">#TimHunt</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZvikVoAeFV">pic.twitter.com/ZvikVoAeFV</a>
—@jengolbeckIt's her lab and she'll cry if she wants to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a> <a href="http://t.co/IhrYJXz3Ve">pic.twitter.com/IhrYJXz3Ve</a>
—@Zoball42In conclusion:
Twitter is getting really good at creating funny satirical hashtags w/ a positive spin in response to sexism in science. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/distractinglysexy?src=hash">#distractinglysexy</a>
—@kejames