Free Speech or Hate Speech? University Sued Over Firing for Anti-Homosexual Article
Posted on December 4, 2008
We read:
“The firing of a college administrator over her criticism of gay rights has sparked a debate about free speech and whether universities have the right to regulate what employees say outside of their jobs. Crystal Dixon filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court seeking to be reinstated to her University of Toledo job, which she lost after writing in a newspaper column that gay rights can’t be compared to civil rights because homosexuality is a choice.
“I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are ‘civil rights victims,’” Dixon wrote in an online edition of the Toledo Free Press on April 18. “Here’s why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman.”
Two weeks later, Dixon was fired as the school’s associate vice president for human resources. School officials said her views contradicted university policies, according to the lawsuit. Though Dixon’s attorneys say other school administrators were not punished for expressing their opinions, the public university defends its actions.
“We have asserted from the beginning that Ms. Dixon was in a position of special sensitivity as associate vice president for human resources and this issue is not about freedom of speech, but about her ability to perform that job given her statements,” university spokesman Larry Burns said in a statement. Dixon did not mention in the column that she worked at the university..
“It comes down to whether you’re speaking as an employee of the university or as a private citizen,” said Brian Rooney, a spokesman for Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., which is representing Dixon. “If you’re speaking as a private citizen, your speech is protected.” The university would have been within its rights to discipline her if she had stated she was a school administrator, Rooney said. The nonprofit Christian law firm says its mission includes “defending the traditional family and challenging special rights for homosexuals.” “Where is the so-called free expression of ideas and tolerance that universities so adamantly defend?” said Richard Thompson, president of the law center.
What the university is saying seems to boil down to a claim that being critical of homosexuality is a sign of bad character. If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, I guess that makes God a bad character too.
Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don’t forget your daily roundup of pro-environment but anti-Greenie news and commentary at GREENIE WATCH . Email me (John Ray) here
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Education, Homosexual Agenda, Hypocrisy/Situational Ethics, Indoctrination, Multiculturalism/PC, News, Political Correctness, Social Engineering, U.S. Constitution, liberalism
Trackback URL
Comments
6 Responses to “Free Speech or Hate Speech? University Sued Over Firing for Anti-Homosexual Article”
Leave a Reply
Only straight people think that being gay is a choice.
Use your brains, people! Who would choose to be a pariah?
I guess if what Chris says is fact, that it must confirm that Ms. Dixon is straight. Are hetrosexual folks opinions firing offences? If so, we’ll try not to have any.
What the university is saying seems to boil down to a claim that being critical of homosexuality is a sign of bad character. If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, I guess that makes God a bad character too.
I would say that. Being ‘critical of homosexuality’ is definitely a sign of bad character. Also, God doesn’t exist and the Bible makes you stupid.
This woman can go work at a church if she’s got such a problem.
Levi,
Have you ever experienced being in an open space or on the ocean at night with no lights, look up into this Universe, witness the expanse and marvel of this sight then say there is no power greater than yourself? Who’s stupid?
And to all of you who speak like this idiot. If one gets into my face about my beliefs or my right as to the first amendment? That will be an event you will never forget. You don’t know who I am other than a citizen of the United States. I’m usually demure with a live and let live modus but this seems to be changing all around me. I am now having idiots like you telling me what to think and how to behave? This is now getting to the point where we the majority of citizens will either kowtow to a minority of citizens demands or follow the will of the people. Good people. I’m done with this little experiment and looks like this won’t end in a nice way. Quite the contraire’ and there is no humor whatsoever in this statement.
A check coming your way Ms. Dixon.
Have you ever experienced being in an open space or on the ocean at night with no lights, look up into this Universe, witness the expanse and marvel of this sight then say there is no power greater than yourself? Who’s stupid?
Yes, I have experienced that. I have marveled at the universe, I have wondered. You know what I did after that? I read a science book.
And to all of you who speak like this idiot. If one gets into my face about my beliefs or my right as to the first amendment? That will be an event you will never forget. You don’t know who I am other than a citizen of the United States. I’m usually demure with a live and let live modus but this seems to be changing all around me. I am now having idiots like you telling me what to think and how to behave? This is now getting to the point where we the majority of citizens will either kowtow to a minority of citizens demands or follow the will of the people. Good people. I’m done with this little experiment and looks like this won’t end in a nice way. Quite the contraire’ and there is no humor whatsoever in this statement.
Slow down tiger, you’re so quick to take offense. No one is trying to get in your face, no one is telling you what to believe. I’m making fun of what you believe, but it’s not like I don’t think you have a right to do that.
You Christians have an oppression complex, you really do.
Levi — I find it interesting that you believe Christians should be denied public employment and permitted to work only for Christian institutions.
How do you square your position with the First Amendment — and the Fourteenth, which applies the First Amendment to the states?
Arguing that the guarantees of freedom of speech, press, and religion still allow for punishment by government officials if they are actually used seems to be a rather “queer” understanding of civil liberties.