WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Gays not civil rights victims, UT administrator argues

Gays not civil rights victims, UT administrator argues

TOLEDO -- A University of Toledo administrator is on paid leave because of an article she wrote for Toledo Free Press in April, reports News 11's Shelley Brown.

Crystal Dixon, UT's associate vice president of human resources, had responded to a column about the gay rights struggle, saying "As a Black woman ... I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are civil rights victims. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman. Daily thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle."

Equality Toledo, a local gay rights organization, is calling Dixon's comments outrageous.

"The problem for me is that this is somebody that is charge of a major department of a major institution," says Rob Salem, UT clinical law professor and board member of Equality Toledo. "She talks about .... homosexuality being a choice. And those views are refuted by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association."

A UT spokesperson says Dixon is now on paid administrative leave and that it would be inappropriate to comment on an "ongoing personnel matter."

In the article, Dixon also addresses her religious beliefs, saying there are consequences for those who violate God's divine order.

Salem says he agrees with freedom of speech and religion but that Dixon, a top administrator, has crossed the line. Equality Toledo is urging people to call and write UT to express their opinions.

To read Dixon's Toledo Free Press article, click.

To read TFP editor's column on gay rights, click.

To read Dr. Lloyd Jacobs' response, click.

Posted by KO