25 Years ago I would have supported the professor. This is college; you need to learn how to back up every statement you make.
But these days, it sounds to me like the professor is guilty of micro-aggressions....
Ditto. But it is highly doubtful that this dyke professor would have accepted anything academic and well-researched as evidence. They never do.
The student likely did back up her statements and that offended the Professor to the point of refusing to grade it and labeling it hate speech. By refusing to issue a grade, even an F, what does the Professor avoid?