A Lewis-Clark State College administrator is facing criticism over comments he has made about the LGBT community, in his role as a church pastor.

William Spence of the Lewiston Tribune wrote Wednesday on the backlash surrounding Logan Fowler, Lewis-Clark’s marketing and communications director.

Several students and staff members have pointed to videos of Fowler, on the Facebook page for the Truth Baptist Church in Lewiston. One video says “coming for your children” is a tenet of the LGBT agenda; in another, Fowler says gays and lesbians are “vile,” Spence reported.

After a peaceful demonstration Sunday, across the street from the church, protesters brought up the issue during a virtual open meeting Tuesday, hosted by Lewis-Clark President Cynthia Pemberton.

“(Lewis-Clark) respects the First Amendment rights of its employees to express their personal beliefs,” Pemberton said in a statement, as quoted by Spence. “However, LC State itself supports and values the rights and dignity of all persons.”

In a statement to Spence and the Tribune, Fowler said his role as a pastor does not compromise his ability to do his job.

“I am a Christian who believes the Bible is true,” Fowler said. “I believe sin is real and so is the Savior Jesus Christ. I will not be bullied into relinquishing my First Amendment rights to practice my religion and exercise free speech as a private citizen and as a pastor in my place of worship. … Those who say Bible believers like me no longer have a place in a public institution are the intolerant ones. Sadly, the rights of Bible believers are under assault, even in America, even in Idaho.”