LINCOLN, Neb. — An openly gay member of the Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education is calling for an assistant Nebraska football coach to be fired for publicly opposing Omaha’s anti-discrimination ordinance.

School board member Barbara Baier wrote to the leaders of the University of Nebraska regarding assistant football coach Ron Brown, the Lincoln Journal Star (http://bit.ly/Hx92uA) reports.

Brown testified before the Omaha City Council in early March in opposition of a measure that would extend discrimination protections to gay and transgender people. Brown cited his Christian beliefs in opposing the measure, which eventually passed.

“When some people seek to camouflage their hatred under the cloak of their faith, their professed religious beliefs should not shield them from the consequences of their actions,” Baier wrote.

Baier said she decided to send the letter because she is concerned that gay Nebraska athletes may fear Brown’s beliefs threaten their well-being.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that school board member Barbara Baier wrote the leaders of the University of Nebraska regarding assistant football coach Ron Brown.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman said he found Brown’s remarks to the Omaha City Council offensive, but said Brown has the right to express his personal views.

“Whether intended to do so or not, they reflect poorly on the university, on our athletic programs, and I am certain they cause pain and discomfort among a valued and productive segment of our community,” Perlman said.

But Brown has done nothing to warrant being fired, Perlman added.

Brown said Friday that he is “not meaning to harm anybody,” but following what he believes the Bible teaches.

“I’ll be praying for her, for her to see the reality of what the Lord is saying in the Bible,” Brown said.

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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com