A downstate man, who works for the Social Security Administration office in Champaign, said he fears for his job since he's refused to watch a mandatory LGBT diversity-training video.
David Hall, of Tolono, works in an information technology position and has been employed by SSA for about 14 years. In April, he and other SSA employees were notified that they would be required to view a 17-minute video on LGBT diversity, according to the ( Champaign-Urbana ) News-Gazette.
But Hall said that would go against his Christian beliefs and refused to watch it. After being reminded to do so a few times over the summer, he was suspended for two days in August.
Hall has returned to work, but anticipates he'll have more disciplinary action against him, and might even face the loss of his job.
"I think this is an issue they are prepared to go to the mat with, but I'm not going to give up my faith or compromise my beliefs just to go along and get along. I don't believe God wants me to do that," Hall said.
Hall has engaged Chicago-area attorney Jason Craddock to advise him. Craddock previously represented the owners of the Timber Creek Bed and Breakfast, which, in 2011, refused to allow a same-sex couple to hold a commitment ceremony.
The original article is at www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2016-09-08/man-would-rather-get-fired-watch-diversity-video.html .