University administrator placed on leave for column critical of homosexuality

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A D V E R T I S I N G

University administrator placed on leave for column critical of homosexuality

Crystal Dixon

Toledo,OH, May 8, 2008 / 03:01 am (CNA).- An administrator at the University of Toledo has been placed on paid administrative leave after writing a column in a local paper that argued against including homosexuals as “civil rights victims” and characterized homosexuality as a lifestyle choice.

Crystal Dixon, associate vice president of human resources at the state-run University of Toledo, wrote a column for the Toledo Free Press in response to an April 4 column by the paper’s Editor-in-Chief Michael S. Miller. Miller argued that Ohio is behind in “gay rights” and also criticized the University of Toledo’s lack of health care benefits for some domestic partnerships.

Dixon, who did not identify herself as a university administrator, argued in an April 18 column that those “choosing the homosexual lifestyle” should not be considered “civil rights victims.” She said that while she cannot change her identity as a black woman, “thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle.” Dixon referenced prominent individuals who had renounced their behavior, sometimes because of “a realization that their choice of same-sex practices wreaked havoc in their psychological and physical lives.”

She also referenced the high median education and income levels of gays and lesbians, contrasting them to the low median income of the non-college educated black male.

According to Dixon, statements about inequality in benefits coverage are misleading because the University of Toledo’s health benefit plans differ for all employees across its two campuses. She elaborated by saying the university is “working diligently” to address the issue for all employees, “not just one segment.”

Dixon closed her column with two references to the Bible. She said that God had created humankind male and female “with an inalienable right to choose.” Saying there are consequences for our choices, Dixon said it is “base human nature to revolt and become indignant” when the world or God Himself disagrees with our choices.

The second scriptural verse Dixon used was to make the point that Jesus Christ “loves the sinner but hates the sin.” She concluded her letter by saying, “daily, Jesus Christ is radically transforming the lives of both straight and gay folks and bringing them into a life of wholeness.”

On Friday Lloyd Jacobs, President of the University of Toledo, published his own column in the Toledo Free Press, saying he felt the need to publicly “repudiate” Dixon’s comments. He said her comments “do not accord with the values of the University of Toledo” and noted his own support for a “Safe Places” program for homosexual students and faculty at the school.

According to InsideHigherEd.com, a spokesman for the university confirmed Dixon was placed on paid leave because of the column. The spokesman said there may be further action following a meeting between Dixon and President Jacobs.

Subscriber comments:

Published by: M. Matthews
Jackson, MS 15/05/2008 01:21 PM EST

This is not an issue of freedom of speech. In no way has Crystal Dixon been punished by a government authority for what she said. She had every right to publish the editorial - which she did. She has not been arrested for publishing the article, nor has anyone infridged upon her right to do so. However, an employer, with a code of conduct, has the right to fire someone if thewy have cause to believe that they cannot adequately and fairly perform their job. If a teacher were to write an editorial on how impoverished students are difficult to teach and drag down test scores, I am sure there would be public outcry to have that teacher fired - because that mentality clearly acts as an obstacle to that teacher adequately and fairly performing his or her job. The situation with Crystal Dixon is no different. She is an administrator in the Human Resources department. Her comments are clearly an obstacle to her performing her job fairly (no matter what your stance on homosexuality is). The university had every right to take this action, just as Crystal Dixon had every right to publish her editorial.

Published by: N. D. Dorsey
NH 12/05/2008 07:52 PM EST

You are to be applauded, Crystal Dixon! It is your president who should be investigated for his lack of understanding of the Bill of Rights! His ignorance should cause him to be removed from his position.

Published by: L.
RL 09/05/2008 12:01 PM EST

It amazes me that one can attack Christians with no repercussions but that any negative talk about [homosexuals] will cost one his or her job. Veryoften homosexuality IS a choice

Published by: Lee Anders
Oswego, IL 09/05/2008 08:35 AM EST

God bless this courageous woman. Her thinking is right on target and is the stuff of martyrs. Her reward will be great.

Published by: Ted
New Jersey 09/05/2008 06:34 AM EST

I think this is a terrific article about a very intelligent woman who stood up for the truth and decided to voice her opionion in a free society. The fact that she is being punished for it is very telling and people should be outraged that free speech is being squashed due to some homosexual activits! Shame on Todedo University! My 3 children will never attend this college unless this injustice is reversed.

Published by: dw
Racine, WI USA 08/05/2008 07:56 PM EST

This is another prime example of the liberal, politically correct, and free-thinking behaviors of our "ivory tower" professors and university presidents. Since the advent of the 1950's and especially the 1960's; all of the predominant Universities have been nothing less then hotbeds or all the ism's , i.e. relativism, atheism, liberalism. The corner stone of education called "common sense" seems to missing along with freedom of speech, freedom of religion (for universities this means freedom FROM religion) and the individual right to air their religious beliefs even IF it goes counter to the universities politically correct views. From the standpoint of an individual who completed a college education and obtained a college degree; I believe the best education is the combination of being knowledgeable of the Chrisitian Faith coupled with as much reading as possible OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE SETTING! Universities/colleges ACCEPT every kind of thinking as long as it fits THEIR DEFINITION of diversity and political correctedness but excludes anything with conservative or Christian religious viewpoints!

Published by: Mary T
LA/CA/USA 08/05/2008 07:50 PM EST

It's outrageous that
Crystal Dixon's job is in jeopardy over her column. Is there no free speech in this country anymore? I happen to agree with every word she said, and I'm glad she said it.

Published by: Ron
Firth, NE, USA 08/05/2008 06:38 PM EST

So much for Free Speech. Apparently the University President either forgot about the First Amendment to our constitution or he only allows free speech for those who follow his appointed 'truth'. He should be fired.

Published by: vin
ilion, ny 08/05/2008 04:30 PM EST

It appears that Chrystal Dixon was speaking as an individual and not for the university. Does she not have that right? It is scary how so many people have suddenly been deprived of the right to speak freely in this country. Funny, no one objects to anti-Catholic rhetoric. What have we come to?

Published by: PT
Middle TN/USA 08/05/2008 02:40 PM EST

So much for the supposed "freedom of expression" that colleges and universities claim to promote. Oh yeah, they're all for their much-touted and beloved "diversity", except when it comes to Christians who hold a traditional view of family life and morality. She is punished simply for speaking her mind outside of her official job functions. That is scary. The Nazi brown shirts have given way to the rainbow shirts of the tolerance and diversity crowd.

Published by: Edward Moul
Norristown, Pa. USA 08/05/2008 01:20 PM EST

If Ms. Dixon has any further action taken against her because she speaks the truth, something homosexuals cannont tolerate, especially by Mr. Jakobs, she sould sue the university for violating her civil rights to free, and honest, speech.

Published by: Kathryn Schutz
Tulsa OK USA 08/05/2008 12:07 PM EST

Bravo to her for having the courage to stand up against the "cult totalism" "dictatorship" of of the homosexuals. Time the gay propaganda is exposed as the lies they are. "You can fool some of the people all of the time, but not all of the people all of the time." and this makes them hop toad mad. Sally Kearns (Rep. in OK) got the same treatment and stood up and stuck to the truth. Bravo to her too.

Published by: Avelina R. Villarreal
Corpus Christi TX. USA 08/05/2008 11:58 AM EST

God Bless you abundantly for being bold and truthful about God's law in our lives for everyone. We will keep on praying for them to have an intimate personal relationship with Jesus, our redeemer and God our creator. Jesus loves you no matter what it is true it is only the sin that he hates. Read the word to know the blueprint of success in your life. A life wfilled with peace and joy even in troubled times.

Published by: Stephen
Alexandria 08/05/2008 10:59 AM EST

You go girl!!!

Published by: Janice Morton
Oboro, Ky. 08/05/2008 09:46 AM EST

Here is another example of a University president with no backbone.
Ms. Dixon should be commended for speaking out and defending the truth.

Published by: Helene Pineau
Chapleau Ontario Canada 08/05/2008 08:58 AM EST

God bless people like Ms Dixon for standing up for the truth. Unfortunately she has paid the price in her defence of God's laws and commandments: persecution. Where is the ACLU to protect her rights and freedoms of expression? Isn't there a double standard here? We should not discriminate against any group, EXCEPT Christians.

Published by: Rose
Maryland, USA 08/05/2008 08:09 AM EST

Here is just another example of the agressive homosexual agenda. I applaud Crystal Dixon for her courageous and truthful article. It is a shame that in our nation today "homosexual rights" take precedent over the rights of anyone who voices disagreement with them. It should come as no surprise when others engaged in sexual deviant behaviour....say bestiality to name one...step forward to claim their "rights" because they were "born that way." Ludicrous or ridiculous?? No more so than laws sanctioning homosexual behaviour would have been to the founding fathers of this nation. As we get further and further away from the judeo-christian foundation upon which this nation was built the faster we will waste away into nothingness....

Published by: Jo-Anne Stark
Canada 08/05/2008 07:59 AM EST

There is no freedom left in the US or Canada. If we are not able to express our view as to what is right or wrong we are all in grave danger.

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