James Tiptree Jr. (the pseudonym of Dr. Alice Bradley Sheldon), was a queer American psychologist, feminist, and prolific science fiction writer.

The James Tiptree Jr. Award was created by authors Karen Joy Fowler and Pat Murphy in February 1991, honoring works of science fiction and fantasy that expand or explore the understanding of gender, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

In 2019, the James Tiptree Jr. award was renamed to the Otherwise Award following complaints and discourse surrounding the nature of Dr. and Mr. Sheldon’s deaths, including accusations of Dr. Sheldon committing ableism-driven mariticide.

In 1977, Dr. Alice B. Sheldon and her husband Huntington “Ting” Sheldon (at the ages of 62 and 74, respectively) their health declining, facing a future of severe disability and Mr. Sheldon losing his eyesight entirely, collectively made the decision that they would end their lives together in the near future.

This was a collectively consensual decision made by the Sheldons as they were approaching the inevitable natural end of their lives. This is a truth that has been corroborated multiple times by their closest friends, peers, and expert scholars of Dr. Sheldon’s work and life.

The specific method by which the Sheldons ended their lives is public record and therefore unnecessary to repeat here, as it affects neither the point nor goal of this petition. Dr. and Mr. Sheldon were not the first, nor will they be the last to make this difficult yet valid choice as a couple entering the end stages of life. 

Dr. Alice B. Sheldon and her husband Mr. Harrington "Ting" Sheldon entered into rest together at their home residence of McLean, Virginia, on May 19, 1987, at the ages of 71 and 83, respectively. 

Their former Earthly vessels were found hand-in-hand, lying beside one another in their bed. 

The goal of this petition is to return The Otherwise Award to its original title: The James Tiptree Jr. Award.

This petition also seeks a public apology to be issued from The Otherwise Award Council (Motherboard) to the late Dr. and Mr. Sheldon and their loved ones for supporting and spreading the heartless accusations made against Dr. Sheldon of the alleged caregiver abuse and mariticide of her husband Mr. Harrington "Ting" Sheldon.

To deny the elderly, disabled, and or otherwise terminally ill the autonomy and dignity to choose when and how they die is in and of itself a disgusting act of ableism (that is to say, bigotry against the disabled). To use the personal and private choice made by two elderly and disabled persons as a tool and means to erase the legacy and tarnish the name of an influential queer female voice is evil and shameful.

Let it be known that Dr. Alice Bradley Sheldon aka James Tiptree Jr. was an accomplished and educated queer woman; A feminist, a prolific and decorated sci-fi author, as well as a dedicated and beloved spouse.

Not a murderer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ Dr. Alice B. Sheldon aka James Tiptree Jr. at work, circa. 1940s; photo courtesy of Jeanne Gomoll ]

 

"Love is the plan; The plan is Death." - James Tiptree Jr., 1973