In another big win for free speech here in the state of Texas, a volunteer fire chaplain who was fired after posting on his personal blog that men don't belong in women's sports, won a settlement against the city of Austin.
Dr. Andrew Fox, who immigrated to America from the United Kingdom in 1999, made the post back in 2021, and was dismissed later that year.
This week, the city of Austin agreed to a $78K settlement, along with a letter thanking him for his service.
"I'm thrilled that this could be an example to others to stand their ground" said Fox, "And without the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, for their skills, their knowledge in the law, and navigating me through all of this."
ADF attorneys reached the favorable settlement, and said in a statement: “Everyone should be able to speak freely without fear of punishment just for expressing a view with which the government disagrees,” said ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton, director of the ADF Center for Conscience Initiatives. “Dr. Fox served Austin’s fire department—without pay—for eight years with excellence and integrity, serving everyone, including those in the LGBT community. This vindication of Dr. Fox’s constitutionally protected free speech should give hope to all those who wish to share their voice freely.”
In the exclusive interview with KTRH, Dr. Fox said the fight for the First Amendment was worth it, even though he was surprised he actually had to fight as hard as he did here in the U.S.
"I think the length of this case has been extraordinary for me" Fox told KTRH, "And the win of course is the settlement, and the letter that came with the settlement as well commending me. It ended on an encouraging note, and so that is a great win for me."
Fire department members highly respected Fox for walking side by side with first responders and their families and for providing a listening ear and source of prayer as they encountered deaths, suicides, and other tragedies. Most fire department employees were unaware of Fox’s personal blog, but after an employee contacted the fire department’s LGBT liaison about Fox’s blog post about men competing in women’s sports, Fox was eventually fired in violation of his First Amendment rights.
The response and support for Dr. Fox following the victory has been overwhelming.
"I hope that people don't compromise on their faith, and they don't back down from their Christian faith" noted Fox.
Austin Fire Department Chief Joel Baker thanked Fox for his “eight years of valued service.” He added, “the volunteer chaplain program, which you helped establish, is a vital part of our wellness mission to support the medical, psychological and fitness needs of AFD members. I appreciate that the chaplain program serves AFD members best when the program is inclusive of all faiths and viewpoints, while respecting the perspectives of everyone involved in the program.”