UT administrator argues 'Gay rights are not civil rights,' is now suspended

TOLEDO -- A University of Toledo administrator is on paid leave because of an article she wrote for Toledo Free Press in April, reports News 11's Shelley Brown.

Crystal Dixon, UT's associate vice president of human resources, had responded to a column about the gay rights struggle, saying "As a Black woman ... I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are civil rights victims. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman. Daily thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle."

Equality Toledo, a local gay rights organization, is calling Dixon's comments outrageous.

"The problem for me is that this is somebody that is charge of a major department of a major institution," says Rob Salem, UT clinical law professor and board member of Equality Toledo. "She talks about .... homosexuality being a choice. And those views are refuted by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association."

A UT spokesperson says Dixon is now on paid administrative leave and that it would be inappropriate to comment on an "ongoing personnel matter."

Gays not civil rights victims, UT administrator argues
WTOL