Transgendered folk need not apply...or keep their jobs either

It appears from the following article

LARGO, Florida (AP) -- The City Commission voted to begin the process of firing a top official less than a week after he announced plans to pursue a sex-change operation.

The 5-to-2 vote Tuesday started a three-step process to remove City Manager Steve Stanton from the job he's held for 14 years.

Stanton, 48, confirmed last week that he is a transsexual. With a solid reputation as a forceful and energetic leader, he had hoped to keep his $140,000-a-year job as he underwent the gender reassignment process.

(to read rest of article, click here)

I find this article quite interesting because if you think about it, City Manager Steve Stanton really hasn't done anything wrong, illegal or even inappropriate. He's decided that he wishes to pursue a sex-change operation. What I find fascinating is that Commissioner Mary Gray Black had this to say in bringing her demand for a vote:

"I do not feel he has the integrity, nor the trust, nor the respect, nor the confidence to continue as the city manager of the city of Largo," said Black, who introduced a resolution to fire Stanton on Monday.

In other words, because he decided to change his sex, she brought forth a resolution to fire him because the city manager of the city of Largo really shouldn't be, um, a transsexual? If he was gay, would that be okay? If he was African-American, would that be okay? I'm having a hard time figuring out how someone's sexual identity figures into someone's capacity for doing a job he/she has in a city.

I guess transgendered folk have a LONG way to go yet. It should be interesting to see if anyone actually comes to his defense, or if other previously attacked peoples feel that they need to draw the line at this particular minority group.

Stumble It!