thanks to sara for the link to susan stanton’s apology in which she states:
Contrary to the St. Petersburg Times article, I do not see members of the transgender community as “men wearing dresses.” However, I do feel there is a fundamental misunderstanding by the general public that being transgender is simply a matter of men wanting to “dress up as women.” Most people do not understand the medical nature of being a transgender and therefore cannot understand the need or justification for non-discrimination protection in employment and housing. During the extensive discussions associated with my termination, many reasonable people felt it was irresponsible conduct for a government official to be “dressing up in women’s clothes” let alone expect to someday “come to work in drag.” In my extensive discussion with the national media, transgender people are still perceived to be living unhealthy lifestyles inconsistent with family values. It is my belief that until the general public is properly educated on the diversity of gender identification and expression, attempts at passing comprehensive federal legislation prohibiting discrimination will not have the necessary support in Congress.
so let me get this straight. because most people don’t understand trans people, they have a congressional right to discriminate against those who they judge to be living an “unhealthy lifestyles inconsistent with family values”.
ok, so when i see a parent ridiculing their child because the child behaved in a non-gender conforming way, which i perceive to be an “unhealthy lifestyles inconsistent with family values”, i can fire them from their job, deny them housing, prevent them from using a public bathroom, and withhold medical care.
perhaps i’m a bit queer (pun intended), but i don’t see susan stanton as a person i’d want running any city i am living in. or even living near. since phoenix is next to tempe, a town that didn’t hire ms. stanton, i’m rather happy that tempe made the right choice.
Unfortunately, anyone reading this article would think I am a conceited, arrogant, depressed, suicidal victim in need of immediate medical intervention.
um, no, i don’t think you are in need of immediate medical intervention, susan. i do think, however, that perhaps largo made the right choice too.
