UT violated administrator's free speech rights, claims employee

WTVG --

There are new details regarding the UT administrator fired after writing a column critical of gay rights.

Crystal Dixon is at her church surrounded by supporters. But we have just learned, before firing Dixon, UT made an offer for her to stay with a demotion and cut in pay. Dixon says she rejected that because she believes she didn't do anything wrong.

Dixon was put on paid administrative leave from her position as associate vice president of human resources at UT after writing a column in the Toledo Free Press in April.

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."

She continues... "There are consequences for each of our choices, including those who violate god's divine order."

UT's president condemned Dixon's public comments, saying they contradicted with university policy. UT fired Dixon last week. Dixon spoke exclusively to 13abc that same day. Here's what she had to say:

"I had the divine mandate to write. I expressed my rights and expressed my views as an individual citizen, not representing the University of Toledo."

Dixon says she plans to sue UT for violating her first amendment free speech rights, as well as race and religious discrimination, but no action as of today.

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