By Tara Cavanaugh
JACKSON-
An Ohio woman who was fired over her anti-gay editorial in a newspaper has been hired to fill the position of a joint human services director in Jackson.
The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/03/jackson_county_city_hire_joint.html Crystal Dixon was fired in 2008 from her position as an administrator at the University of Toledo for anti-gay remarks she made in the Toledo Free Press.
"I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil rights victims,'" Dixon wrote in the Toledo Free Press http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/04/18/gay-rights-and-wrongs-another-perspective/. "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. Daily, thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle evidenced by the growing population of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex Gays) and Exodus International just to name a few."
According to the Patriot, "City and county officials said Dixon was up front about her termination from the university. They said her level of professional experience was more important than her political views."
"The residents of Jackson County and the City of Jackson deserve more than just somebody with the appropriate skills to serve as their human resources director," said Emily Dievendorf, director of policy at Equality Michigan. "The job in question places Crystal Dixon as lead negotiator for contract agreements and will make her an influential voice in searches for department heads. She needs to be capable of providing equal opportunity and advocating for the interests of all Jackson residents. Her job history, a component on a resume easily as important as required skills, does not support her being qualified to serve the entire Jackson community."
Dixon will make $87,030 per year. She starts April 24.
