School Suspends Marriage Supporter

Special Report - October 15, 2012
In yet another example of how the legalization of same-sex “marriage” threatens First Amendment rights, a high ranking official at Gallaudet University has been temporarily suspended for signing a petition to give the people of Maryland the right to vote on the fate of the state’s recently enacted same-sex “marriage” law. Dr. Angela McGaskill was the first African American deaf woman to earn a Ph.D. from Gallaudet, a renowned university for the deaf and hard of hearing, where she currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer. In an October 10 email to the university community, Gallaudet University President Alan Hurwitz explained his decision to place Dr. McGaskill on paid administrative leave. “It recently came to my attention that Dr. McCaskill has participated in a legislative initiative that some feel is inappropriate for an individual serving as Chief Diversity Officer; however, other individuals feel differently,” Hurwitz wrote in the email. “I will use the extended time while she is on administrative leave to determine the appropriate next steps taking into consideration the duties of this position at the university.”

At issue for the university is the fact that Dr. McGaskill signed a petition in July 2012 circulated by the Maryland Marriage Alliance that gives voters in the state the opportunity to reject (or approve) the state’s new same-sex “marriage” law. Pro-family advocates launched a successful initiative drive to gather over 200,000 signatures to place the issue on the November 2012 ballot, where Maryland citizens will decide the fate of the law, which is currently on hold pending the results of the referendum. Gallaudet University officials learned that Dr. McGaskill had signed the petition, after an unnamed faculty member filed an official complaint with the university upon noticing her signature on the petition, which was made public in July 2012 by the pro-homosexual Washington Blade.

“McCaskill’s decision to sign the petition does not automatically declare her support for or against same-sex marriage,” said Derek McCoy, chairman of the Maryland Marriage Alliance in a statement. “It merely indicates that she wants to see the decision made by the people and not the legislature.” McCoy added, “Unfortunately, this is only the latest in a long list of attacks on individuals who express support for marriage as a union between one man and one woman. If such attacks can be made before same sex marriage is law, how can homosexual activists in good faith say that religious liberties will not be attacked if Question six [the ballot initiative] passes?”

Family Research Council is urging citizens across the United States to sign its petition asking Gallaudet University to “to fully reinstate Dr. McCaskill,” arguing that “she should be judged on the merits of her two decades of service to the University—not punished for exercising her right to participate in the democratic process.” As of October 14, over 18,000 people have signed the FRC petition.

Related resources:
National Chick-Fil-A Days - July 25, 2012
Obama Favors Redefining Marriage - May 11, 2012
Voters Approve Marriage Amendment - May 8, 2012
Rev. Billy Graham Endorses Marriage Amendment - May 4, 2012
Sixth Circuit Defends Religious Liberty - February 1, 2012
Faith Leaders Affirm Traditional Marriage - January 20, 2012
A Threat to Liberty - FNC - Summer 2011
Emerging Threats to Conscience - May 16, 2011
Freedom Of Religion Statement Issued - January 20, 2010
Interview with Timothy George - FNC Interview - January 2010
Christian Leaders Sign "Manhattan Declaration" - November 23, 2009
Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty, Book Review - FNC - March/April 2009

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