I can’t believe in this age of supposed enlightenment, tolerance, political correctness, and acceptance of all other types of people (race, religion, handicaps, etc...) that anyone would care one wit whether the city manager is a man, woman, something in between, whatever. His personal choice is not driven by selfishness, or a desire for media attention. His choice is a choice that has been agonized over for many years, I am sure, and one that has not been taken lightly. In fact, it is not even a personal choice. What is happening is that the person he is on the inside will finally be aligned with the physical appearance on the outside. Everyone who has dealt with him over the years has been dealing with a woman who happens to look like a man. Now they will see the true person they have been associating with all that time at last.
No one complains when a woman has breast implants, face lifts, plumped lips, changes her hair color, or any other of a multitude of procedures to change her appearance so she feels better about herself and more aligned with how she feels inside. Or, when a man wears a toupee, or gets hair transplants, liposuction, penis enlargement, or any other work done to their body, no one wants to fire them. So why should it be any different for anyone else. People change appearances all the time and it is no reflection on their ability to perform their jobs.
I am absolutely STUNNED at the ignorance of the people who are on the Largo City Council. These are the people who have been appointed to make progress in their community a reality and make Largo a better place for EVERYONE to live. They are setting a poor example of their leadership skills and personal characters. Are these the people you want running your community? What could be the next target of their disdain. Blacks? Hispanics? Buddhists? Islamics? Gays and Lesbians? Fat people? Who knows? This is a dangerous example of discrimination they are setting for the entire country to see. I only hope that intelligence, and compassion will prevail after this heinous example of intolerance perpetrated by the City Council of Largo, a group of people who probably called him “friend” and, at very least, a respected colleague only seven days ago.
And as a sideline to the militant religious idiots......
Please don’t pick and choose how you interpret the teachings of Jesus. And don’t question the power of God. You are not smart enough to know what God thinks and understand how He works. God is omnipotent, and omniscient. It is not possible for God to make a mistake. God made Steven Stanton the way he is with a purpose. Maybe the purpose was not for him to suffer his whole life but to teach YOU the tolerance, compassion, and love for which He gave up His Son in order that YOU, with all YOUR flaws, may have a chance at eternal joy.
Very well said Christy. I agree. I am a born again Christian & I believe if Jesus was here on this earth he would be heading over to Mr. Stanton’s home today offering unconditional love and support. I’m sure He is ministering to Mr. Stanton in spirit those very same comforts right now. So let us all not be Pharisees as we look on.
I also want to comment on what Yborite said. He or she had a lot of good points. It bothers me tremendously that so many of my fellow Christians condemn gay people. Again, we need to be showing the Lord Jesus Christ’s unconditional love and mercy to everyone. Then it is up to God Himself to show each one of us if there is anything in our life that is not pleasing to Him.
It’s always heartwarming to see all the hateful “christians” come out of the woodwork with stories like this. What you don’t understand, you vilify. This same kind of reactionary thinking is what gave us the Salem Witch trials, the Inquisitions, and other periods in the history of the world where organized religion has found it necessary to purge the world of those who happen to be a little bit different.
Jesus reiterated Isaiah’s prophecy of hypocrites, when he said:” These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”
Everyone of you who has found it necessary to unleash your angry, bitter, hurtful words on this man, all the while hiding behind your professed “religious beliefs”, will have to answer for it one day. Although, I’m quite sure you don’t, you should be ashamed of yourselves, especially the elected officials who led the charge.
I think it’s funny, that people claiming to be “Christians” are the most judging of all.
Who are we to decide what is right and wrong. I hope as my generation comes to power that we can teach people to respect everyone around us (even if, gasp, they are different)
I wish there was a way that I could send Steve Stanton something or just some words of encouragement. Not every person in Tampa is uneducated to what he is going through.
I don’t know, but I THINK that liposuction, changing your haircolor and collagen injections etc, MIGHT not be the same thing. You think?
Let’s see, “Honey, I’m going to go get my hair done today.” VERSUS, “Honey, I’m going to go have a sex change today.” Hmmmm.....let me see......nope, not the same thing.
No, the world is not coming to an end with the decision to let Mr/Ms Stanton go. He has made his decision knowing full well the possible outcome in regards to his position on the job. HE is the reason, and no one else, for the upheaval happening in his life.
If he wants to become a woman, go for it! But being the City Manager he also represents the city. And fortunately or unfortunately, the decisions that he makes both PERSONALLY and publicly reflects on ALL of us, by allowing and condoning, YES it would be tantamount to condoning if the commission had allowed him to keep his job.
We look to our leaders for guidance, support, respect, and trust. They in effect represent the people!
And MOST people do not like what Mr. Stanton represents. Mr. Stanton has himself to blame for that whether it’s willingly on his part or not.
If Mr. Stanton had been a clerk at a bank, a CPA, or a customer representative, no one would have cared and it wouldn’t be the sensation that it is now. Why, because it would not have reflected on the
city and the views of it’s people.
Why is that SO difficult for everyone to understand.
By the way, your comment about “religious idiots”? Then you continue to talk about Jesus Christ? Yeah, you’re the expert.
Yes in fact, polls have been taken in recent history regarding this very topic. I myself am a member of The Gallop Poll in the U.S. and have voted and seen many surveys on topics regarding everything you can think of. However, I shouldn’t, nor should anyone who gives their opinions in this forum have to give their ‘credentials’ in order to do so.
It’s common knowledge as well simply by watching tv or reading the newpaper every once in awhile, that there is a moral majority in this country. Thank goodness, as far as I’m concerned.
these homophobics make me sick. mr stanton is not a pedophile. he is transgender. his condition is caused by a genenic defect. he did not wake up one day and say to himself, “gosh, i think that i will have an operation to change my sex.” he is not homosexual. transgender people have to go to a screening process before they are approved for this surgery. i work with a transgender. she is the same person she was before the surgery, except now she is happier. give mr stanton a break. the only ones who should be fired are the close-minded idiots who are commissioners. hmmmmm, i wonder if their male spouses or the male commissioners have had thoughts of being with a male. i can also guarantee that they have. this is common with men. this i way they are homophobic. hmmm. again. i wonder what type of kinky sex the commissioners have had in the past or are currently invoid in. have any of the commissioners had affairs. have they thought about having an affair. have they flirted or sexually harrassed a co-worker or someone else. oh, no, they are squeaky clean.this is why they can judge an innocent person for no reason who has been doing a great job. i bet these same commissioners kick animals, too.
I didn’t ask you for your credentials. And as far as “many polls taken”, there are more people in this country (51%) who support “gay marriage”, than support Bush(30%). So much for your moral majority.
And if you define morality as crucifying an individual, who, by the way, was FORCED to publicly acknowledge his PRIVATE issues, then it doesn’t sound like morality has a place in civilized society.
I believe a person can believe something inside their heart and transform themselves outwardly, as into a woman. It is the same part of us all the makes us learn, develop and model our parents as children
It is the same part of us that causes some people to accept hypnotic suggestion.
But should an individual who wants to live in their own reality, that is not the reality of the rest of the world, be allowed to goist this on others, when to others it is not reality at all.
we do not know for certain if this is a physical defect or a genentic defect!!! that is part of the PROPOGANDA!
the transexuals would like us to believe that, because then it makes them the victim of a physiological cause , over which they have no control… therefore they would not be morally to blame. That is the argument and the rationale..is it the truth? i do not know.
On the other hand throughout history men who suffered this problem were often called EUNUCHS.
although it does not say how they dressed..they were often trusted in fovernement office, and in charge of the kings harems for example: no one had to worry about the testoserone issue. A Eunuch helped Queen Esther prepare to meet the King of Persia. Even Jesus acknowledges that there are Eunuchs...but of course he doesn’t encourage them to live as the opposite sex in immoral relationships or deception.
This day, I am appalled to consider myself a citizen of the city of Largo. As a City Manager, Mr Stanton did a wonderful job and turned this city into a decent place to live and visit, now I personally feel Ms Stanton would have done just as well as a public figure, but unfortunately the nigotry we have allowed to rule as judgement on the Comission has changed the way things are going to be. I know Mr Stanton decided prior to the public forum held last night that he would not sue, but I feel he has every right to sue the pants off of every one of those close minded rediculous idiots we call the Comission and should lose everything to a courageous man who was forced to reveal his very personal life before he was ready to.
I personally, along with my husband and children will be attending any and all protests beiong held in Mr Stanton honor that we can.
I think it’s funny, that people claiming to be “Christians” are the most judging of all.
Who are we to decide what is right and wrong. I hope as my generation comes to power that we can teach people to respect everyone around us (even if, gasp, they are different)
Though I do count myself among their (Christians) number, my experience is that yes, they are some of the most judgmental people I have seen. More than that, when someone is truly in need (money, counsel, etc.), they are some of the last to offer it. Just anecdotal, I know, but nonetheless true for me.
You say “I hope as my generation comes to power...” I guess you’re a young person. I’ve discovered, through my children, that the younger generation(s) are much more tolerant than the preceding ones (I know I am more so than my parents). Perhaps, at that time, people like Mr. Stanton will not be treated as an outcast.
It is sad to see how many of my neighbors are Nazis and false-Christians. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I thought that was part of our country’s basis for being. Tolerance seems to be a thing of the past. Are you going to stone him too? And then who is next? The old? Would you rationalize that they are almost dead too, so be done with them? Will the disabled and children be next? Where does it stop? Is every one that is different subject attack? Maybe he will wear socks with his sandels. How can that be?
---This person has done a better than acceptable job in the past. There is no reasonable reason to expect anything would change in his job performance, except perhaps he will be happier in general in the future.
---Would this fuss be made if he was having a face lift or a tummy tuck? I think not.
---Rent, borrow or get a life some how and leave this guy alone. Otherwise when the mob is done with him, they maybe coming after you next. You know you look a little bit different too.
