Ministers planning protest at Gallaudet University - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Two black ministers who support gay marriage in Maryland are planning a protest at Gallaudet University in Washington, where an administrator was placed on leave for signing a petition opposing gay marriage.

The Rev. Delman Coates and the Rev. Donte Hickman say in a statement that it's "unacceptable" for Angela McCaskill "to be professionally sanctioned for merely exercising her right as a citizen." The ministers are supporting McCaskill even though they've been outspoken in their support of gay marriage. They're planning a protest Thursday at the university for the deaf and hard of hearing.

McCaskill has said she signed the petition because she thinks voters should decide the issue. She was placed on paid leave from her position as chief diversity officer at Gallaudet, which has a prominent gay community.

Statement from Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz:

"Since placing Gallaudet University's Chief Diversity Officer on paid administrative leave, Gallaudet University has been called upon by several external organizations to immediately reinstate Dr. Angela McCaskill in her position as Chief Diversity Officer. We recently became aware that several of those external organizations plan to hold demonstrations at Gallaudet University starting this week.

As much as I understand the views that some outside organizations have about the immediate return of our Chief Diversity Officer to campus, at the same time we need to move forward at a rate appropriate for our entire community.

I'd like to reiterate that while this has become an issue beyond our campus, as President of Gallaudet University, my number one concern is our university community - our students, faculty, and staff and so many others who support us. I act on their behalf, not with any agenda other than their well-being. I will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that this campus remains a safe environment for our entire campus community.

The university administration has been conducting very productive meetings with student organizations including groups that represent students of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, as well as faculty and staff leadership. The university's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board is also developing strategies for moving the community forward.

I would like to commend our students - as well as our faculty and staff - who have shown remarkable maturity and restraint under the complexities of the situation. I know our community will extend the same measure of civility and respect we have shown each other to those outside the campus community who choose to express their concerns and perspectives."