BY CHELSEA VANASSCHE

Just after one appearance on air, Fox Southwestern commentator, Craig James has been fired after making homophobic remarks. James did not say the remarks on air while working for Fox Sports, but the comments came during his political campaign for the U.S. Senate.

“People choose to be gay,” he said during an April 2012 campaign stop. “I think it’s a choice, I do. Same-sex marriage, if someone chooses to do that, that’s done. And God’s going to judge each one of us in this room for our actions. And in that case right there, they’re going to have to answer to the Lord for their actions.”

Fox claims that James was not fired for his position on gay marriage and homosexuals. Fox representatives stated that he was fired because he was a good fit for the position he was originally offered. James thinks differently, he is moving forward in pursuing a lawsuit against Fox Sports for religious discrimination. 

James, despite his conservative views on various topics, needs to keep in mind that anything he says on and off the campaign trail will always represent him. But Fox also should be open to all beliefs and ideas as everyone is entitled to freedom of speech and religion. 

The homophobic comment was made in the past that should not reflect his current work. Fox hired James after his run for the U.S. Senate. Fox should have done more research and properly vetted James before offering him the position.

It should be interesting to follow this pending lawsuit as it continues to unfold with more details and what Fox will do despite denying they fired James for his stance on homosexuality.