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Largo, Florida Moves To Dismiss Transsexual City Manager

On Tuesday, the city commissioners in Largo, Florida voted to dismiss City Manager Steve Stanton because he is in the process of changing from a man to a woman. The mayor of Largo and one commissioner voted to retain Stanton, but the other five commissioners voted to fire him. According to the Human Rights Campaign, this move is in direct violation of the city's own non-discrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Stanton has served as City Manager for fourteen years, and was apparently a respected employee. Pam's House Blend points out that the leader of the campaign to get Stanton dismissed was Pastor Charlie Martin of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. First Baptist brags about being racially diverse, but obviously draws the line at other types of diversity. It's mission statement includes "We are all made in the spiritual image of God," but maybe that needs to be modified just a tad.

Martin believes that if his congregants have to call Steve "Susan" (were they really calling him "Steve"?), the religious freedoms of Christians will be compromised. Another minister said, "If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated. Make no mistake about it." These members of the clergy have company among Largo's citizens. Or, as one person said, "As a resident of Largo for over 40 years, I'm very disturbed that our city manager is planning a sex change. In my view this would be disruptive to Steve Stanton's ability to conduct city business."

You figure it out. He was fine when he was Steve, but as Susan, he will not be competent. Of course, all women are accustomed to hearing they are not as competent as men, but this particular case is as extreme as it can get.

No news yet as to whether Stanton will take action against the Largo city commission.

Comments

I've been following this since the beginning. How despicable. And how absurd this will seem in 25, 30, 50 years.

Posted by: Austin on 03/02/07 at 3:46 AM

Another minister said, "If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated. Make no mistake about it."

What a bunch of hypocritical religious phonies. Yeah, Jesus was all about judgment, and isolation of anyone who didn't quite fit in to one's narrow view of what is "right". No Jesus would *not* want him terminated! He would continue to love her the same as he loved him. More likely Jesus would want that minister terminated.

Posted by: DaveD on 03/02/07 at 4:29 AM

This is a "double minded" man that is confused. Jesus loves the person, but cast out the double minded spirit so he can be made whole.

Posted by: Pastor Leroy Jones on 03/02/07 at 7:59 AM

HEY, IT'S A LITTLE WEIRD TO HAVE A SEX CHANGE PEOPLE- CAN ANYONE AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT? WHAT BATHROOM DOES THIS GUY GO AND USE NOW? DO THEY MAKE HIM HIS OWN? I'M ALL FOR PEOPLE DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT WITH THEIR SEXUALTY BUT THE REALITY IS IT PROBABLY WILL EFFECT STEVE/SUSAN'S ABILITY TO ACT AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL SIMPLY BECAUSE IT DRAWS ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE ACTUAL POSITION HE/SHE WAS ELECTED TO DO.

Posted by: CHIX WITH DIX on 03/02/07 at 10:00 AM

To the person above me, all he is doing is changing his gender.

That wont cloud his mind.

What will cloud his mind the stigma society is holding against him that is perpetuated by people like you.

Posted by: Julie on 03/02/07 at 7:02 PM

1. There is no proof that Jesus was not gay.

2. Everyone is born with a "female brain"; for the males, it becomes "male" when the testosterone kicks in. If, for some reason, the testosterone is insufficient (leaving the brain "female"), a person, like Steve, would end up as a "female brain" in a male body: prime candidate for transgender manipulations.
All men are NOT created equal!

Posted by: kenrev on 03/02/07 at 11:30 PM

This is another example of crossing that line, separation of church and state. Another example of fear, of something different, something we don't understand. If this person has been doing a good job and can do this without interfering with doing the job, then what is the big deal? The operation is being done far from the brain, therefore, it shouldn't affect the job performance. Until we do a lot more research in this area, we will not understand this persons situation, so let's not judge.

Posted by: Ranselar VanDerpoel on 03/03/07 at 9:15 AM

Catechism(pars 235758) condemns homosexuality as "grave depravity...contrary to the natural law...[and] Sacred Scripture." According to Darwinian evolution(natural law), this depravity does not contribute to survival. Holy Mother Church stands with its arms open to all who repent of their transgressions.

Posted by: Pat Donohue on 03/04/07 at 7:06 AM

You look good up on that high horse, Pat, I mean real good. I mean niiiiiice. Real sturdy.
Jest aside, it's a sign of ignorance when homosexuality gets dragged [no pun intended] into a discussion about transgender people or even transvestites, for that matter. These are not two seperate names for the sam group of people.

Posted by: Paul Miller on 03/04/07 at 9:01 AM

If the City Manager signed on in the beginning that he would not change his sex, he should stick with that decision until he goes elsewhere for a job. If nothing was ever said about what he intended, he should sue the pants off the Commissioners. My momma always told me to read the fine print before signing anything, and that's what I do.

Posted by: Olivia on 03/06/07 at 8:07 AM

The sad part is how many feminists would agree with the religous right. If you don't believe me, Google "questioning transgender" for a tour of nontrans women's hatred of trans women like Stanton.

This shows itself here with the use of male pronouns, and the cavalier exploitation of this event as an example of sexism. Nowhere is there an affirmation of her identity (she's on HORMONES, people...and she already has a woman's mind in every way). Nowhere is there anything that honors her as a woman.

My respect for MotherJones just plummeted.

Posted by: Alyssa on 03/16/07 at 3:20 PM

Friday March 23/07
Hearing is this evening folks. If you wish to speak, you apparently must register at largo city hall BY 4 P.M. meeting starts AT 6 pm. lET US ALL SUPPORT THIS HUMAN BEING in his quest to his full potential as Susan. She deserves the chance to live a full life.
To the bible thumpers: My vision of Jesus is so different than yours. My Jesus is a lord of love and inclusion, not hate and judgement. Peace to all.

Posted by: donna on 03/23/07 at 11:09 AM

I agree that this firing is despicable and illegal. Let the guy live how he wants to live. I've been discussing this topic for weeks at my Daniel Ruth Show blog. I also have a bunch of photos from Friday's City Council hearing.

http://danielruthshow.wordpress.com/

Posted by: Sam Evans on 03/24/07 at 6:38 PM

I am running against one of the commissioners that voted to dismiss Steve Stanton. I was compelled to run because I believe Steve's Stanton's treatment was unfair. Please visit www.John4Largo.com and support my candidacy. Thank you!

Posted by: John Mandujano on 08/03/07 at 6:38 PM