ILLINOIS: Social Security Administration Staffer Says He’d Rather Be Fired Than Watch LGBT Diversity Video

The Champaign News-Gazette reports:

A Social Security Administration employee who believes he shouldn’t have to watch a workplace diversity video about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, because it violates his religious beliefs, fears he may lose his job because of it. David Hall, 42, of Tolono has worked for the federal agency for 14 years, based in the Champaign office as an area systems coordinator, an information technology position.

In late April, Hall said, employees nationwide received an email from the agency about a 17-minute LGBT diversity and inclusion training video that they were told to watch at their work stations. Employees were required to certify that they had seen the video. Hall said he is a Christian — “not anti-anyone or anything,” but “for God, for Jesus” — and believes the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin.

So, he didn’t watch it. His supervisor gave him direct orders to do so — first on June 2, then again on June 24. Again, Hall refused both times. As a result, an official reprimand was placed in his file — the first he has ever received, he says — and he was suspended without pay for two days, Aug. 15-16.

“This is something I want to fight and expose,” Hall said, “to give other Christians the courage of their convictions. I can’t tell you how many I’ve worked with that have told me, ‘Dave, we agree with you 100 percent. I wish I had the courage to do that.’ But they’re scared. … Their fears are being realized through me.”

Hall is being advised by the attorney for an Illinois B&B that was recently fined $80,000 for refusing to host a same-sex wedding. (Tipped by JMG reader Jon)