December 1, 2008
ANN ARBOR, MI — Crystal Dixon, a high ranking African American official at the University of Toledo, was summarily fired in May of this year by the University because she wrote a newspaper commentary expressing her personal Christian views regarding homosexuality.
Dixon was responding to an opinion article written by the editor-in-chief of the Toledo Free Press entitled, “Gay Rights and Wrongs.” In her private editorial, Dixon objected to the comparison of “gay rights” with the civil rights struggles of African Americans. She wrote, “As a Black woman… I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are ‘civil rights victims.’ Here’s why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman. I am genetically and biologically a Black woman and very pleased to be so as my Creator intended.”
As a result of the University’s outrageous actions, the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor Michigan, today filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court, Northern District of Ohio against the University, its President, and its Vice President for Human Resources and Campus Safety. The lawsuit claims violations of Dixon’s constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection of the law.
The Law Center is being assisted by local Toledo attorney Tom Sobecki.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center commented, “It’s clear that radical homosexuals have an inordinate amount of influence over the University President. He openly brags about being friendly to ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning individuals.’ But he doesn’t care about the constitutional free speech rights of Christians.”
Thompson observed, “Where is the so-called free expression of ideas and tolerance that universities so adamantly defend in other contexts? Crystal Dixon has a constitutional right to privately express her personal opinions, and this particular opinion represents the view of a majority of Christian Americans. Christians believe that homosexual acts are acts of grave depravity, contrary to natural law, and under no circumstances can they be approved. Christians also believe one must love the sinner, but hate the sin. Crystal Dixon believed and expressed this – essentially she was fired for being a Christian.”
Aggravating Dixon’s free speech violations is the claim that she had earlier questioned the University President’s insistence that his niece be hired to the exclusion of five more qualified candidates, including qualified minorities. The President’s niece was hired in the Human Resources Department where Ms. Dixon worked.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.