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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