Oklahoma University Fires Professor Over Gay Guest Speaker

LAS VEGAS — (03-17-22) — Oklahoma Christian University has garnered serious backlash for allegedly terminating a professor who says he was let go for bringing a Gay guest speaker to his class.

Professor Michael O’Keefe taught graphic design at Oklahoma Christian University for more than 40 years before being terminated on March 7.

O’Keefe’s lawyer, Kevin Jacobs, accused the Oklahoma Christian University of discrimination and said the Christian university unfairly disciplined professor O’Keefe.

“Letting students expect a world where you may be different is the message Mr. O’Keefe wanted his students to hear. That’s the message this speaker delivered, not an advocacy of gay rights,” said Jacobs in a statement to KFOR. “Unfortunately, that’s not permitted at Oklahoma Christian University today. It cost Mr. O’Keefe his job.” said Jacobs.

The speaker that allegedly cost O’Keefe his job was a guest in his senior-level class entitled “The Business of Branding Yourself”, where one of the topics covered was “overcoming obstacles and developing resilience and character,” according to Jacobs’ statement.

The openly gay speaker was also an Oklahoma Christian University alumnus and was employed as an adjunct professor at the university for nearly 20 years.

Kevin Jacobs also said in his statement that his client was still “evaluating all the options he has to address this unjustified and wrongful action.”

To attempt damage control, the university released a brief statement from Oklahoma Christian University attorney Stephen Eck:

“The decision to end employment was made after a thorough review process. The university will always put first the wellbeing of our students in every decision we make.”

Emily Thornton, a 2019 graduate of the university, said of O’Keefe’s firing…”He guides the students from start to finish,” she said, adding that he was invested in their success throughout their time at Oklahoma Christian University. “So losing him suddenly, those students are now abandoned.”

Thornton further added that when she was a student at Oklahoma Christian, LGBTQ students and allies were frequently targeted, with students facing the risk of expulsion for hosting LGBTQ meetings on campus. She said the school’s policies took a toll on the mental health of some of her LGBTQ classmates.

Thornton also condemned the administration’s decision to fire O’Keefe as discriminatory.

“I wish they could look me in the eyes and tell me, ‘Because students are homosexual, we’re not going to accept them,’” added Thornton. “What they’re doing is really telling the students straight up, ‘We discriminate. We don’t accept you. You’re not welcome here.’” said Thornton.

For those of you who wish to share your opinion on this story with the Oklahoma Christian University, can do so via Twitter @okchristian.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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