And they've got stiff(sorry:)) competition in Florida. But yea,
they should be embarrassed-maroons! If they'd left it alone, no
one would know nor care. Now,everybody knows they're idiots.

Yeah, what's an embarrassment and disgrace is the commission's reaction.

Well, actually it's transsexuality when a person changes his/her anatomy. And, Diane, I think you should be referring to Steven/Susan as she, since that's quite clearly what she prefers.

Cameron, he is not yet a woman and still calls himself Steve, so I am saying "he."

Perhaps it's true that men's brains are in their penises, and when we decide not to pay proper phallic homage by being the "real man" that we "should be" (either by living as a woman, or by having sex with other men) we lose our mental abilities and are no longer able perform our duties properly. A sad state of affairs for so many of us. Indeed.

It is quite unfortunate the ignorance of society has so much power in ruining the lives of "two spirited" individuals. As open as this country tries to appear, the case of "black" or "white" genders (male or female) with no variation is not only closed minded, but proves the conservative republicans are still in control. Fortunately for me here in Illinois, cook county is one of the few counties to actually add gender variant people to the list of protected individuals against gender discrimination.

In short, until the last day of December 2006, I was employed as a top marketing executive with a very large japanese manafucterer. Even with the laws protecting me, this company chose to "pay me off" so that I would go away un-noticed. It would have been much more cost effective for my previous employer to simply let me continue to perform as the #1 marketing executive in the country rather than pay me to go away.

My performance had been impeccable during my entire career, saving the company millions of dollars. This company were sad to see me go, but happy they didnt have to deal with a '3rd" gender.

I tell this story not for pity or sympathy, but to show that we (Transgender people) wish to be treated with respect and dignity just like anyone else. If one does not understand the quest of a Transgender individual, perhaps one should consider not judging us. Give yourself an opportunity to meet us and chat with us...we are (not always) a quite intelligent breed. Our lives can appear quite enduring to the general population.

We will take a bullet for our friends, we will sacrifice love and life to continue following our paths to "right" ourselves. We will survive. I am extremely happy to add, we are not going anywhere, anytime soon. Our numbers and support and tolerance just keep getting stronger and stronger.

Please do not hate us for the genes and chromosomes our parents handed down to us. We haven't asked to have such an intense and uncommon variation to our genders. We do not desire to lose our friends and loved ones, especially family. We are who we are and most of us would care not to live in our percieved shell...We cry at the sorrow of losing our families and loved ones.

For those of you that do not have the interest in giving us a chance, I do not hate you nor do I want to change you. I forgive you for your ignorance in our lives. I pray (tho not a religious individual) that your children will be our savior. That if you have a child with gender variation, that your child will be accepted into society, regardless of whether or not you accept and support your child.

Please don't hate us...We love life and it is too short to waste on anger. Anger and stress kill

Sincerly, Shaine P. C...

The choices one makes in this life have consequences.

You know, I love the St. Pete Times, as a rule. As one of the last independent newspapers in the country, they do an astounding job...except in this case.

There was zero reason for the paper to out Mr. Stanton, and cause all of this mess.