Florida city official faces ouster over sex change

The Seattle Times ^ | 3/2/07 | Phil Davis

[XR7]

LARGO, Fla. — Steve Stanton professed his love for the city and asked the people of Largo to support his decision to undergo a sex change and allow him to keep his $140,000-a-year job as city manager.

To his sorrow, the answer came back no.

Almost 500 people packed City Hall on Tuesday night for a special meeting to decide if they would accept someone named Susan instead of Steve as their top official. And while many spoke eloquently in his defense, more called for his ouster.

"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated," said Pastor Ron Saunders of Largo's Lighthouse Baptist Church. "Make no mistake about it."

At the end of the 3 ½-hour meeting, the City Commission voted 5-2 to begin the legal process of firing Stanton, who went public about his sex-change plans after learning that a local newspaper was about to reveal his secret. The 48-year-old married father of a teenage boy can appeal his dismissal, and the commission must vote again to formally fire him from the job he has held for 14 years...

"It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy and now I have no integrity, I have no trust and, most painful, I have no followers," Stanton told the crowd before the vote.

His announcement stunned this city of 76,000 near St. Petersburg. Stanton said he had planned to reveal his secret this summer when his 13-year-old son was out of school...

Commissioner Gay Gentry praised Stanton, but said, "I sense that he has lost his standing as a leader among the employees of the city."

Gerard and Commissioner Rodney Woods — the first black commissioner in the city's 102-year history — cast the only votes in Stanton's favor.

[XR7]

"It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy and now I have no integrity, I have no trust and, most painful, I have no followers," Stanton told the crowd...

Duh.

[XR7]

City Manager Steve Stanton, left, listens to a reporter's questions at a news
conference along with Fire Chief Jeffrey N. Bullock, center, and Chief of Police
Lester Aradi.

[LtdGovt]

He looks like Cindy Sheehan.

[flashbunny]

"It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy and now I have no integrity, I have no trust and, most painful, I have no followers," Stanton told the crowd...

And soon he will have no...

[edcoil]

One of the rules for leaders is to look back once in awhile and see if anyone is following.

Maybe the pain of self delusion is what you are feeling.

[Abathar]

How can people expect him to make logical and decisive decisions when he can't make up his mind if that thing sticking out his front is suppose to be there or not?

The people who voted him in didn't know his mental state, now they do they want his butt out and I sure don't blame them.

[XR7]

LOL

[Psycho_Bunny]

"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated," said Pastor Ron Saunders of Largo's Lighthouse Baptist Church. "Make no mistake about it."

I'm kind of thinking Jesus wouldn't want you tending his flock, "Pastor".

[darkwing104]

Like this guy?

[RightResponse]

"He looks like Cindy Sheehan."

...only prettier!

[XR7]

ping.

[Red Badger]

Ditto....................

[Red Badger]

The police and firechief look like they would rather be someplace else.......ANYPLACE else!......

[Dilbert San Diego]

I guess they aren't very liberal or tolerant about this in Largo Florida. Heck in San Francisco, I bet this story wouldn't even be a blip on the radar screen in the news there about a sex change operation.

I guess some people just aren't tolerant and get shocked by stuff like this.

[Retired Chemist]

A local tabloid ran the following headline:

A Boy Named Sue

[NRA1995]

"It's just real painful to know that seven days ago I was a good guy and now I have no integrity, I have no trust and, most painful, I have no followers"

I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.....

[BlazingArizona]

If you're on a council, never resist an opportunity to play nanny!I understand that in Florida making personal medical decisions is almost as serious a violation as flying the Stars and Strips from your condo.

[JohnnyZ]

I'm kind of thinking Jesus wouldn't want you tending his flock, "Pastor".

The Pastor was right on, although Jesus would presumably find some way of making the boy named Sue see the light.

[Bob J]

Maybe people just don't trust a guy in a dress?

[gcruse]

"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated,'

Heh. Because we know Jesus was just all over sex change operations, wasn't he?

[lilylangtree]

I'm wondering where the ACLU is? Probably just waiting in the wings until Stanton gets his pink slip, then they'll come on the scene.

[massgopguy]

We had a guy in a dress here about ten years ago. He was 6' and 225lb. Two of the girls in Acct., both about 4'9" went into the ladies room and he's standing in the stall with the doors open. They were horrified.

[dfwgator]

Cindy is much more butch.

[Red Badger]

Tolerance is just another word for acceptance.........

[gidget7]

"I'm wondering where the ACLU is? Probably just waiting in the wings until Stanton gets his pink slip, then they'll come on the scene."



Oh guaranteed! And if Kennedy, Frank, and Meahan get their way, this will be a hate crime.

[Psycho_Bunny]

lol

[Jaysun]

Tolerance is just another word for acceptance.........

And allowing what everyone knows is immoral, perverse, or incorrect.

[samm1148]

Can I risk the moderate republicans' wrath and say it? Wanting to mutilate the body that God gave you is overwhelming evidence of mental aberration. That is in a sane society; not the one the liberal left has created.

[Bonaparte]

Two words, Mr. Stanton: San Francisco. In that town, the sky will be the limit for you.

[XR7]

He looks like Cindy Sheehan...

Or Jimmy Carter?

[Lancey Howard]

"If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated," said Pastor Ron Saunders of Largo's Lighthouse Baptist Church. "Make no mistake about it."

LMAO!!!

[csvset]

The police and firechief look like they would rather be someplace else.......ANYPLACE else!......

Lol, you've got that right.

The Fire Chief receives a phone call:

What ? A cat stuck in a tree? I'll be right there !

Police Chief:

I'll secure the area for you , gotta go!

[BykrBayb]

Probably just waiting in the wings until Stanton gets his pink slip...

Maybe he could borrow Rudy's. They look about the same size.

[BykrBayb]

Update:

Sex-Change Seeker to Appeal Job Loss

``It's almost an obligation now,'' Stanton said. ``This isn't just about Steve Stanton.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6467784,00.html

-------

True, it's more about Susan Stanton.

[yellowdoghunter]

Maybe he could borrow Rudy's. They look about the same size.

LOL! Good one!