# Transgendered people lack integrity and cannot be trusted.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 2, 2007, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265 "2007-03-02T03:56:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/1 "2007-03-02T03:56:15Z")
…Says the [Largo, Florida City Commission](http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2007/02/070228largo.shtml) > [@](#): > > The City Commission of this small Tampa Bay community voted late Tuesday to begin the process of firing the city’s top official – less than a week after he announced plans to pursue a sex-change operation. > > The 5-to-2 vote begins a three step process to remove Largo City Manager Steve Stanton, 48, the city’s top official for 14 years. He confirmed rumors last week that he was a transsexual. > > Stanton, who built a solid reputation as a forceful and energetic leader, hoped to keep his $140,000-a-year job as he underwent the gender reassignment process. > > “It’s just painful to know seven days ago I was a good guy and now … I have no integrity,” Stanton told the commission Tuesday. “My challenge here has always been that someday I was going to leave this organization. So I am going to do it with a smile on my face.” > \ > > Commissioner Mary Gray Black said Stanton’s surprise announcement last week “caused stress, turmoil, distraction and work disruption” in the city. His contract says he can be fired without cause at any time. > > **“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.** Credit should be given to the Mayor, Patricia Gerard, who cast one of the two dissenting votes. The ones who voted to fire Stanton can all eat a fucking dick, especially Mary Gray Black. Stanton has done absolutely nothing unethical or illegal. The statements of the delightful Ms. Black are based solely on his revealing himself (really HERself) as transgendered. Way to inspire all those depressed, suicidal. closeted TG teens there, you fucking bitch. America has a long way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/2 "2007-03-02T04:07:26Z")
Dude… that’s fucked up! I wish I had more to say, but I’m kinda overwhelmed by that at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/3 "2007-03-02T04:18:40Z")
Mary Gray Black later admitted her secret, overwhelming attraction to Stanton, and complained that his sex change would force her to become a lesbian in order to get herself a piece of that ass. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/4 "2007-03-02T04:35:24Z")
[QUOTE=Snooooopy] Mary Gray Black later admitted her secret, overwhelming attraction to Stanton, and complained that his sex change would force her to become a lesbian in order to get herself a piece of that ass. [/QUOTE] Well, she need not become a charter lesbian, but if the surgery’s booked, the clock’s running! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/5 "2007-03-02T04:56:54Z")
You know, I mean what can someone say to something like this? I’m just fucking depressed people are still this goddamn petty. Want to punch in walls and shit. Christ. I’ve known far too many people who have suffered because of fucked up idiots like the Largo city counsel. It fucking breaks my heart. Sometimes I wish they had to live just one day in the shoes of the people they hate so much. But they aren’t FIT to, these pieces of worthless shit do not have the necessary value as human beings to even hypothetically be considered anything like my friends. _spit, spit, spit_ ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/6 "2007-03-02T05:09:20Z")
Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? Seriously, think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/7 "2007-03-02T05:15:24Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? Seriously, think about it. [/QUOTE] How is it any more a distraction than any other surgery? Steve Stanton did not suddenly become transgendered overnight. She managed to perform this job for 14 years as a man without it being a distraction. ETA to point out that the reason given for the firing was not that the surgery would distract Stanton from her job but because she now suddenly lacked “integrity, trust, respect and confidence.” The commission is saying that being a transexual, all by itself, makes a person unethical and unworthy of trust or respect. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/8 "2007-03-02T05:17:08Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? Seriously, think about it. [/QUOTE] Would it be okay then to fire him if he were undergoing treatment for cancer? If he had a parent or a child who was terribly injured in a car crash? If he were going through a nasty divorce? Seriously, think about it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/9 "2007-03-02T05:17:39Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? Seriously, think about it. [/QUOTE] Thank you for your post. It is much easier for me to focus on issues like this when I see a poster post something this surprising. Just curious, by your definition should every senior decision maker step down if the are suffering from a serious illness like cancer? What if they are going through a divorce? Perhaps a sick child or parent would be too much distraction? WTF dude? What a lame excuse. If it squicks you out, just be honest about it. Do not try to justify your feeling with stupid excuses. You know what, sex change operations still squick me out. I am not quite 100% comfortable with these procedures yet. It does not mean I think those who opt for such actions are not to be trusted or incapable of doing their job. It is my hang-up and if they can do their job, let them do their job. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/10 "2007-03-02T05:17:45Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? [/QUOTE] That would pretty much disqualify anyone who isn’t a power-obsessed loony from public office, since sooner or later most any semi-normal person is going to get seriously distracted. Should people lose their position if a child or parent gets a terminal illness ? If they have a romantic breakup ? An abusive spouse ? Fall in love ? Have a child ? Catch the flu ? Not to mention that as I understand it, undergoing hormone therapy/surgery tends to _improve_ trangendered folk’s mental and emotional stability, and makes them _less_ distracted, at least once it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/11 "2007-03-02T05:20:59Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? Seriously, think about it. [/QUOTE] That’s a pretty weak rationalization, but I’ll give it this much: it’s a lot better than the one given by the cocks who are firing Ms. Stanton. They’re firing her because they “[D]o 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.” So the actual, stated reason for the firing is that they don’t like transgendered people. Which is indefensible. At any rate, even if there is any merit to your suggestion, don’t you think she at least deserves the chance to prove she can do her job despite her situation? Doesn’t fourteen years of dedicated service earn her at least that much? ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/12 "2007-03-02T05:22:00Z")
People suck. ---
**Author:** ![Whifton\_Polekitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/97f17d/32.png) [@Whifton\_Polekitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whifton_Polekitty)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/13 "2007-03-02T05:25:18Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] Is it not possible that someone this distracted by his/her own personal life might not be suited to the position of making decisions that affect everyone in the area? [/QUOTE] Because, yah, I’m sure there’s never been a totally straight politician that made decisions (both bad and good) while wrestling with internal personal issues. :rolleyes: Seriously, that gender and sexuality are considered to be SO IMPORTANT to the masses as to be the main focus on the lives of their elected officials doesn’t mean that the officials THEY ELECTED are incapable of doing their jobs. “Didja hear? Joe Bob Blowtoker is a QUEER!” “OMG! And I VOTED for him! Am I queer???” Good $DEITY, people, can’t a person prove their value by their contributions to the office and the general populace rather than by what they want between their legs or where they want to put it? ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/14 "2007-03-02T05:28:39Z")
And from their own website, Largo bills itself as “The City of Progress” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/15 "2007-03-02T05:47:36Z")
Bigotry has triumphed again! Bigotry, of course, isn’t limited to the south, but there does seem to be a higher concentration of narrow-minded persons in those hot, wet climes. Maybe it’s something in the atmosphere. Perhaps Stanton should move to norfthern California. San Francisco would welcome a talented tranny with open arms. (No disrespect is intended in using the word “tranny,” by the way. It’s just easier to write and say than transsexual.) Oh, and my username Largo62 is just a combination of my first and last names and my age when I picked it, and I liked the musical connotation. Kind of an unfortunate coincidence for this particular thread, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/16 "2007-03-02T06:21:46Z")
I re-read the OP carefully, trying to figure how the city officials would get lack of integrity, trust, and confidence from someone announcing that they are transsexual and going for gender reassignment surgery. About all I can come up with is that they feel betrayed that he kept this important detail of his life from them, and I’m guessing the reason he kept it from them was because of the discrimination he would face. Like he is now facing. That Catch-22, that’s some catch. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/17 "2007-03-02T06:43:43Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I re-read the OP carefully, trying to figure how the city officials would get lack of integrity, trust, and confidence from someone announcing that they are transsexual and going for gender reassignment surgery. About all I can come up with is that they feel betrayed that he kept this important detail of his life from them, and I’m guessing the reason he kept it from them was because of the discrimination he would face. Like he is now facing. That Catch-22, that’s some catch. [/QUOTE] I suspect it’s a lot stupider than that. Their thought process probably goes something like, “He wants people to think that he’s a woman, when he’s really a man. If he’d lie about his gender, what else would he lie about?” ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/18 "2007-03-02T06:46:16Z")
My thought process: “WHAT? Oh, that’s so stupid. Why would they do that to the town? The courts will reverse this in a heartbeat and then they’ll have to pay lawyers and damages and everything…” Then I remembered that I am in Canada now and they are not. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/19 "2007-03-02T07:00:00Z")
I think their thought process was “OhmyGawdOhDearLawd, we can’t have “these people” in our upstanding family values town, next thing you know all kinds of perverts and child molesters will be moving here, and our property values will go down and somebody think of the chillldddreennn!” ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265/20 "2007-03-02T07:16:20Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] they feel betrayed that he kept this important detail of his life from them, and I’m guessing the reason he kept it from them was because of the discrimination he would face. Like he is now facing. That Catch-22, that’s some catch. [/QUOTE] This post gets an A plus. It should be inscribed in gold and made into a plaque to hang on the Chicago Reader building to showcase the Straight Dope’s ignorance-fighting awesomeness. Thanks, **featherlou**. I’ve gotten exactly that accusation for the same reason, when I came out. Somehow the blindingly obvious, absurd unfairness of this is missed by the accusers. > [@elfbabe](#): > > Then I remembered that I am in Canada now and they are not. Canada is starting to look awfully tempting… You took in fugitive slaves in 1850… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-people-lack-integrity-and-cannot-be-trusted/394265.md?page=2)