Transgender Largo city manager requests public hearing

News release:

(St. Petersburg, Florida, March 8, 2007) —  Steve Stanton, the long-time
City Manager of Largo, Florida, has decided to appeal the City Commission's
decision to begin termination proceedings against him. Stanton will file a
written request for a public hearing today with the Largo City Commission.
Despite Stanton's 17 years of dedicated service to the City of Largo, the City
Commission voted 5-2 last week to begin the legal process of firing Stanton,
who informed the Commission that he is transgender after learning that a
local newspaper was going to disclose the information to the public. The City
Commission is seeking to fire Stanton solely because of his transgender
status. Stanton has received strong support from Mayor Pat Gerard,
Commissioner Rodney Woods and many City of Largo employees and local
residents who do not want to lose a valuable city employee.

"I appreciate this opportunity to talk with the Commission and provide
information that will enable them to make a decision based on facts, rather
than on a rash reaction to the fears and biases of a narrow segment of the
community. I have served the City of Largo for 17 years, and I hope to
continue serving for many more. Being transgender is an important part of
who I am, but it has no bearing on my ability to do a good job."

Karen Doering, an attorney with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, is
representing Stanton in the administrative appeal process.

Section 3.02 of the Largo City Charter spells out the process for terminating
the City Manager. The City Commission may adopt a preliminary resolution
calling for the City Manager's removal by a vote of five or more
Commissioners. Within five days of receiving a copy of the resolution, the City
Manager may file a written request for a public hearing, which must be
scheduled within 30 days of the request. After the public hearing, the
Commission may either adopt a permanent resolution calling for removal or
permit the City Manager to retain his position.

Comments

[Jillian Weiss]

I'm glad he has decided to appeal. The argument that he has lost the confidence of the city is problematic because loss of confidence is based on gender discrimination. As I've explained in my legal blog, dismissal based on gender identity is gender discrimination. http://jweissdiary.blogspot.com/2007/03/law-covering-susan-stanton-city-manager.html