WASHINGTON (AP) — Groups led by black ministers on opposite sides of the gay marriage debate are planning dueling protests at Gallaudet University.

But the groups will be asking for the same thing during their rallies Thursday at the university for the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington. They want Gallaudet to reinstate chief diversity officer Angela McCaskill, who was placed on paid leave for signing a petition opposing gay marriage in Maryland.

McCaskill has said she’s not anti-gay but thinks voters should decide the issue.

The pro-gay-marriage ministers think she shouldn’t be punished for exercising her First Amendment rights. The anti-gay marriage ministers say McCaskill “is a victim of religious persecution” that will only increase if voters allow gay marriage. The groups say they did not intend to coordinate the protests.

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