“A despicable double standard.” That’s what Thomas More Law Center President, Richard Thompson said as he blasted the University of Toledo’s response justifying its firing of Crystal Dixon from her post as Associate VP for Human Resources.
Thompson was reacting to a press statement released by the University that claimed Dixon’s firing was about her ability to perform her sensitive job as associate vice president for human resources because of her statements in the Toledo Free Press.
Dixon’s past job performance at the University – spanning six years and all in Human Resources — has always been outstanding. Her last job evaluation was excellent. In July 2007, Dixon was promoted to Interim Associate VP for Human Resources over all UT campuses.
One month before she was fired, she was made permanent Associate VP for Human Resources (no longer interim). Of course all that changed once she publicly expressed her private views on homosexuality based upon her Christian faith.
Thompson pointed to the fact that less than 6 months before Dixon was fired over her comments, the University’s vice provost, Carol Bresnahan, publicly attacked Christians who opposed domestic partnership laws, without being fired. Thompson said, “The University of Toledo has displayed a double standard that trashes the right to free speech. UT’s President encourages those who support the radical homosexual agenda to speak out, but punishes Christians who oppose the agenda.”
In a December 22, 2007 Toledo Blade article, UT Provost Bresnahan, identified as an official of the University, attacked those who opposed the law on domestic partnership registry as bigots. She said, “It’s their religious beliefs, and bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry.”
Bresnahan, an admitted lesbian, was in effect attacking Toledo Catholic Bishop Leonard Blair who publicly expressed disappointment on behalf of many people in Toledo regarding the registry law enacted by the Toledo City Council.
This past May, Dixon was fired by the University’s President because she responded to an opinion article written by the editor-in-chief of the Toledo Free Press entitled, “Gay Rights and Wrongs.” Dixon wrote a letter of response based on her personal perspective. 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.”
Further proof of the double standard was the UT President’s speech at a “Celebrate Diversity Week” rally in March 2007. He urged his audience to speak out about diversity. He said “If you have something to say, speak out and speak up. Speak up and never let it be said that people can’t hear you. You are important to this university. You are important to me, I care about you.” Apparently, he did not mean Christians who oppose the homosexual agenda.
