The city council voted 4-3 Monday evening to reprimand transgender mayor Stu Rasmussen for violating the dress code for city leaders.
A citizen earlier filed a complaint that the mayor's choice of a short skirt and halter top at a children's event was too racy. At the time, Rasmussen defended the choice as appropriate for the hot and humid conditions.
At Monday's council meeting, citizens criticized and defended the first openly transgender mayor in the country. What started with Rasmussen's election as the remarkable ability of smalltown America to accept him wore thin at the city hall council chamber.
"I've always liked you Stu, but I think you're wrong on this issue," Ralph Amstutze said at the meeting.
Joe Craig told Rasmussen that the mayor had engaged in "shameless self promotion" nationwide about being a transgender mayor, instead of being engaged as mayor of Silverton.
Another resident, Mark Johnston, said Rasmussen needed to dress appropriately for all the city's residents, including those with conservative tastes like himself, "in consideration of all you represent."
Ilene Conrad offered a contrarian viewpoint. She said had a woman dressed like Rasmussen, there would be no complaint, no issue. "(The mayor) was condemned because he's Stu, and he's a man."
Rasmussen did not apologize, but reported telling council members earlier that "I will be more careful with my attire in the future when I represent the city of Silverton."
Source
}
Comments