Fired Trans City Worker Among Final Candidates For New Jobby

365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 16, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET

(Sarasota, Florida) The city of manager of Largo, Florida who was fired after revealing plans to begin sex reassignment, has made it to the final six for a similar position in Sarasota.
Susan Stanton, 48, learned this week that she will be interviewed for the Sarasota City Manager's job. Eighteen people applied for the position and earlier this month the list was narrowed down to 11 people.
After city officials checked references and conducted background checks six applicants, including Stanton, were left.
The group will receive individual interviews with commissioners and a final selection is expected to be made in June.
The City of Largo fired Stanton - who at the time was still using his birth name, Steve - in March after placing the 48-year old on suspension with pay following an interview Stanton had with the St. Petersburg Times.
Stanton decided to go public after the paper began asking questions about rumors that had begun circulating that Stanton had been seen at out of town locations in women's clothing.
Stanton told the paper she has begun receiving hormone therapy and counseling - a requirement for transitioning.
Following the publication of the interview Stanton issued an email statement to all staff at Largo City Hall outlining the reasons behind the decision to transition and pleaded for tolerance.
City Council said it placed Stanton on suspension because the issue of transsexuality was dividing the staff. But after it voted to fire Stanton councilors said that was not the reason, claiming Stanton was difficult to work with.
Three weeks ago, Stanton applied for the position of city manager in Sarasota. The application bore her new name, Susan, with an asterisk that the name change is pending.
Earlier this week Stanton was in Washington lobbying members of Congress about transgender civil rights.
Meanwhile, in Largo, city commissioners who voted to fire Stanton are calling for an investigation of Mayor Pat Gerard, Commissioner Gay Gentry who supported her.
After about 200 residents signed a petition denouncing Gerard and Gentry commissioners want County Sheriff Jim Coats to investigate whether they or any others elected officials or employees violated the city charter by keeping Stanton's sexuality a secret until she publicly revealed it.
The petition points to a provision in the charter that requires city officials to report any suspicions of misconduct in office to the city commission.