A Clash of Values: Crystal Dixon vs. The University of Toledo

By Alexis Randles
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter

After a guest column titled, “Gay Rights and Wrongs: Another Perspective” written to the Toledo Free Press in response to a previous newspaper column addressing discrimination towards the rights of gay individuals, former University of Toledo staff member Crystal Dixon found herself in the midst of a storm … an imperfect storm as the ensuing fallout would eventually demonstrate.

That fallout resulted in Dixon losing her job and enduring massive attacks on her belief system. This past Wednesday at End Time Christian Fellowship a press conference was held on Dixon’s behalf by her attorney Thomas A. Sobecki to address the issues at hand.

The ever-growing controversy is reminiscent of a debate in a high school classroom on the topic of morals versus ethics. “This is a no brainer,” said Bishop James M. Williams Sr., of End Time Christian Fellowship Church and Dixon’s pastor for the last 16 years. “This is a collusion they are using to get rid of Dixon.”

Dixon, former associate vice president of Human Resources has invested six years at UT and, after abruptly being placed on administrative leave and then ultimately being terminated from her position, she is feeling the wrath that resulted from her actions. Dixon responded to an article by Michael S. Miller, editor in chief of the Toledo Free Press titled “Gay Rights and Wrongs,” which noted that UT, which has formerly merged with the Medical University of Ohio (MUO), has not extended to their newly joined co-workers full health care benefits. Miller suggested in his article that UT was practicing a form of employment discrimination by denying health care benefits to a segment of its staff and postponing resolving the issue for what could be at least 18 months.

However, what is unclear about Dixon’s response to the article was whether her intent was to serve as a representative for The University of Toledo or simply as a concerned private citizen promoting her own Christian beliefs. In her response she never once boasted or hinted that she was an administrator at UT, nonetheless many think differently.

“I absolutely respected Mr. Miller’s right to express his opinion while at the same time I disagreed with several of the points that he made,” said Dixon. “One of the freedoms that makes this country great and makes newspapers great is the privilege of exchanging different points of view via public print communications.”

Due to such an influx of responses from individuals in the community and, more importantly, gays and lesbians who have stressed their disappointment in her views, UT had occasion to examine just how important her role was at their institution.

“For more than 25 years I have been a human resources professional and leader providing excellent service to all people regardless of their sexual orientation,” she said.  “I have hired and recommended the hiring of both homosexuals and heterosexuals based upon their qualifications, skills and abilities. My performance evaluations with the University of Toledo are excellent.”
 

 Dixon said that after a brief pre-disciplinary hearing was held on May 5, 2008, she was given the choice to take a demotion and salary cut but she declined. Her decision resulted in her termination on May 9.

“What policy have I violated?” said Dixon. “In a nutshell they said that what I wrote in the article did not accord with the university’s values … whatever those are.”  Dixon emphasized that she was not seeking to be an endorser for UT, she was simply following a message that God had revealed to her. “Early that Sunday, April 6^th of this year, I arose with a divine mandate … to respond to Mr. Miller’s article,” said Dixon.”

The university has released a statement welcoming “respectful dissent and input from others on all issues with the understanding that free speech and debate make our institution stronger.” However, the institution has noted that “people holding certain jobs within a public institution have special responsibilities concerning the utterances they are allowed to convey.”

According to that statement, UT holds that Dixon’s job responsibilities “required her to lead a critical function regarding personnel actions.”
 

“I wrote my personal opinion based upon my Christian faith rooted in the foundation of Holy Scripture, which is my constitutional right,” Dixon said. “I wrote as a private citizen. I along with everyone in this country have the right to express an opinion.”

Dixon and her attorney, Sobecki, announced during the press conference that they would proceed with the filing of a lawsuit against UT for attacking her religion, character and most importantly her First Amendment Rights. 

 
Bishop Williams an advocate for Dixon, wrote a letter to Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, president of UT, highlighting how her Christian ethics has enhanced who she is as a person and not the opposite. “Miss Dixon did not degrade, gay bash, nor denigrate any gay individual,” wrote Williams to Dr. Jacobs. “As a matter of fact, she specifically stated in her letter that Jesus Christ loves the sinner but hates the sin as seen in John 8:1-11.” 

Williams has yet to receive a response from Dr. Jacobs, even though “he says his door is open,” he joked. “I think we have a remnant of people in our society who want their cake and eat it!” Before concluding his letter, he encouraged Dr. Jacobs to be a man of steel clad with velvet. “In other words have the intestinal fortitude to make a decision, without being influenced by the winds of opposition,” said Williams. “Also have the plate of sensitivity to understand that Miss Dixon did not advertently go on a gay bashing adventure.”

Sobecki said they would be fighting for the reinstatement of her position during this trial as well. “I believe they have already made up their minds about whether they will give my job back,” said Dixon.  “It is bigger that that.”

Some UT students who are in support of her have contacted Dixon over the weeks. End Time Christian Fellowship has begun organizing a committee to collect petitions to support her wrongful termination. In addition the committee has started a fund to assist Dixon with the legal fees she will acquire along the way. “Once you look at the total picture, you’ll undoubtedly find you have a young lady who values her convictions and is committed to her God and The University of Toledo,” said Williams.

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