Jackson Memorial New Director Believes Gays Can Be "Cured": Michigan
Say there's a person who believes that LGBT people deserve no legal protections from discrimination, who believes that LGBT people don't deserve basic civil rights, and who advocates "ex-gay" therapy -- the dangerous practice of trying to "cure" people of their sexual orientation. Would you expect the government to reward this person with a cushy job, where they would be tasked with making significant decisions about hiring?
That's what is happening in Jackson, Michigan, where county administrators have appointed a woman named Crystal Dixon as Director of Human Resources. Dixon has a past that is particularly controversial. In 2008, she was fired from the University of Toledo, after publishing a letter where she wrote that LGBT people were against God, that they should try to "cure" themselves of their sexual orientation, and that they deserved no legal protections from discrimination since their homosexuality was merely "a lifestyle choice."
The appointment has drawn the ire of many equal rights activists in the state of Michigan, given that Dixon's new appointment puts her directly in charge of overseeing human resources -- a department that is supposed to be seen as an outlet for all city and county employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. But with a woman like Dixon at the helm, can LGBT employees in Jackson really feel trusted and safe?
That's a point made by Equality Michigan. Speaking to the Michigan Messenger, Equality Michigan's Policy Director, Emily Dievendorf, said that a Human Resources Director ought to come to the table valuing all potential employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the case of Crystal Dixon, it's clear that this won't be the case.
"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," Dievendorf said. And she wasn't alone.
A former Jackson city councilman, Rick Davies, also called on county officials to rescind the appointment of Dixon as Human Resources Director. According to Davies, it will be impossible for Jackson residents to trust that Dixon won't discriminate against LGBT employees.
And Truth Wins Out's Wayne Besen said that Dixon's appointment would hurt the reputation of Jackson in the long run, deterring people from applying with the city or county for fear that they may face discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"It seems like a terrible hire. The county is sending the wrong message to attract people to move to the area," said Besen. "I don’t think anybody– particularly LGBT people — can be comfortable walking into her office and trying to get a job,” Besen said. “She might as well have a big sign that says 'I discriminate: Go home.' To put people in such a position is grossly irresponsible on behalf of the county.”
Take a moment and sign Equality Michigan's petition, urging Jackson's city and county administrators to rescind this appointment. Crystal Dixon has every right to believe that gay people are sick and disgusting, that they don't deserve legal protections from discrimination, that they don't deserve to share a life together with their partners, and that they can be "cured" of their sexual orientation.
But a Human Resources Director needs to be capable of providing equal opportunity and advocating for the interests of all Jackson residents -- regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Dixon's own job record and her public stance on LGBT rights seriously call into question her ability to do just that. And for that, Jackson county administrators should absolutely reconsider their decision to hire Dixon for this position.
Photo credit: jacksondda.org
Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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