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Trans Mayor's Skirt Too Short



Mayor Stu Rasmussen, the country's first openly transgender mayor, is under fire for apparently violating Silverton, Ore., city council's dress code. A complaint was filed against the mayor for wearing a short skirt and halter top to speak to a group of teenagers. Rasmussen called the dress code, which was adopted by the city council in 2006, unnecessary.

"It is surprising and disappointing that an organization chartered to promote diversity and cultural understanding would take a public position of intolerance," Rasmussen said of Silverton Together, the nonprofit community organization that filed the complaint.

Director Brenda Sturdevant said her organization was in a difficult situation because it follows a strict dress code and often sends youths home to change into appropriate clothing. "I expect our public leaders to follow the same guidelines that we have for our youth," she told the Statesman Journal .

Rasmussen, who identifies as transgender and prefers male pronouns, also defended the clothing choice [by] saying it was over 90 degrees. "It was hot and sticky. My attire was completely appropriate to the circumstances and I also received a number of compliments during the day," he said.

The city council will decide how to handle the complaint.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: MAKYSHA
    Date posted: 7/25/2009 2:54:00 PM
    Hometown: snow hill, MD

    Comment:

    This is hate against transgendered people. The kids in the group were not offended. It is the grownups that have the problem. This is pure discrimination. It's the same as Worcester County, MD. They have zero tolerance towards blacks and anyone who they believe is not straight. We are simply called drag queens. I received letters with racial slurs and the idiots even identified themselves as Walmart employees.

  • Name: Connie Groom
    Date posted: 7/25/2009 8:25:00 AM
    Hometown: Rochester, NY

    Comment:

    I lived in Silverton, Or for many years. I am sad about this event. Stu, you look better as a man as God mad you. What you do at home is one thing, around our children is another. Maybe it is time for a new major.

  • Name: Sam
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 2:54:00 PM
    Hometown: Coral Springs

    Comment:

    I suppose the difference is that most people actually want to see Paris Hilton's goods. I wouldn't want to see anything from this man even if he wasn't transgendered. No different than if a woman his age wore the same outfit.

  • Name: Brandi M Parker
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 10:36:00 AM
    Hometown: Roanoke Va

    Comment:

    In my opinion STU is a nut. He is nothing more then a out of control crossdrseer who's tolerated by the people in the town he lives. He prefers MALE pronouns looks like a man has hairy arms and legs like a man walks like a man talks and sounds like a man acts like a man ...but has Breast Implants OMG pleaseeee give me a break yeah he's a nut job and need a pill and a padded room.

  • Name: Franz
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 10:21:00 AM
    Hometown: Seattle, WA

    Comment:

    A mini skirt and a halter top, that's not diversity or expression....that's just tawdry. I don't care what gender assignment one is.

  • Name: BILL
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 8:58:00 AM
    Hometown: ATLANTA

    Comment:

    what auth does brenda have in this group someone should investigate is this a religious cult , did her mother dress her in long black clothes is this a group to promote a certain religion. an investigation is needed if they are getting any funds from state or us gov. brenda, come up to this century not one you are living in

  • Name: Donna
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 7:04:00 AM
    Hometown: alma

    Comment:

    A halter top and short skirt, are you kidding me, and he doesn't see anything wrong with it?? I think when speaking with teenagers you shouln't want to dress like them! Who was he trying to impress? Geez man have some class and put some clothes on! Being hot and sticky doesn't mean you can wear whatever you want. I think dress codes were put in place for a reason.

  • Name: Jbaby and The Noodle Boy
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 5:38:00 AM
    Hometown: Silverton

    Comment:

    Silverton Together has been a crutch sometimes to the silverton society, me being raised in this town appricates what Stu like so many other townspeople brings to the table. they had a word to say back in 2006 when the high school has performed the musical stage production of Grease due to the "adult content contained" within the show. which might i add was lunacy. the fearmongering and intorlance presetned by this community organization is not acceptable for even the goals they are trying to meet. i have personally met and becam freidns with Stu R. he is a great person and a cornerstone of Silvertons' atmosphere. he has done so much for this town whether it be stand up for prejudice or sit with you and have a cup of coffee and even dress up for the annual Rocky Horror Picture Event. it is my opinion that while Stus' attire may to some inappropriate it does need to become a matter of national importance that the Mayor of the small town of Silverton has decided to wear a miniskirt.

  • Name: Lickety Splitz
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 3:25:00 AM
    Hometown: Lez Not Go There

    Comment:

    Is the Mayor's skimpy attire his attempt at TRANSparency in Government?

  • Name: Nik Ross
    Date posted: 7/24/2009 2:47:00 AM
    Hometown: Portland, OR

    Comment:

    Stu is not fully transitioned, nor does he ever want to fully transition. If I remember correctly, he has had breast implants, but still has his male genitals. He seems to be more genderqueer rather than transexual. Male, female, gay, straight, whatever, holding a public office requires you to dress for the job. It's not an attack on the trans community. He did not dress the part. It's just not appropiate for a member of the public office to be dressed in a revealing manner.

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