Celebrating Diversity

A week in May 2007 was set aside for “Celebrate Diversity Week” at the University of Toledo. University President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs spoke at a rally encouraging everyone “to speak out about diversity and equality.”

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. I’m glad you are here. Never fail to speak out and be heard.

Dr. Jacobs was responding to an appeal by Rev. Michelle Stecker, the lesbian partner of Carol Bresnahan, vice provost for academic programs at the University of Toledo, to provide a more nurturing and welcoming environment for transsexuals.

In December 2007, Vice Provost Bresnahan, identified as an official of the University, publicly attacked those who opposed a law on domestic partnership as bigots. She said, “It’s their religious beliefs, and bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry.”Enter Crystal Dixon, associate vice president for human resources at the University of Toledo. Responding to an opinion article written by the editor in chief of the Toledo Free Press entitled “Gay Rights and Wrongs,” Dixon 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.

Dr. “If you have something to say speak up” Jacobs promptly fired Ms. Dixon saying that given her statements in the Toledo Free Press it would be impossible for her to perform her “sensitive job” as VP for Human Resources. Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center thinks that is “a despicable double standard.”

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.

On December 1, the Thomas More Law Center has filed suit against the University of Toledo. The lawsuit claims violations of Dixon’s constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection of the law.

So, less than a month after the election of the first African-American president of the United States, less than a month after over 70 percent of African Americans support Proposition 8 declaring that marriage in California should be between a man and a woman, a high ranking black woman at an American university gets fired by a white guy because she doesn’t think the gay rights is morally or legally equivalent to the long struggle of black Americans for civil rights. Where’s the outrage from the black civil rights community?

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Campaign is outraged that President-elect Obama has invited Rev. Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inaugural, since Rev. Warren was an outspoken supporter of Proposition 8. We live in strange times, indeed.