> Stanton’s Letter To Employees

Tribune staff report

LARGO – Longtime City Manager Steven Stanton told employees today that he has been seeing a gender therapist for three years and is planning to have a sex change operation.

Stanton said in a memo he is beginning the final steps toward transgender surgery, which will require him to live for a year as a woman.

“I know this will be very awkward for all of us and the Human Resource Department will begin providing training to address your concerns and answer your questions,’’ he wrote.

  Stanton said he told Mayor Patricia Gerard on New Year’s Day that he’s transgendered and would be going through the final stages of gender transition in the coming year.

“From a medical perspective, I am a transsexual and have had this condition since early childhood,’’ he wrote.

  He said he decided to make the announcement after a reporter asked him about a tip the newspaper had received.

  “I know that this revelation has caught everyone by surprise since I have taken extraordinary steps to keep this secret from interfering with my career or affecting my family,’’ he said.

Stanton, who became city manager in 1993, said he has struggled with his sexuality all of his life. “I hoped I could outrun it when I got married, became a father, and found a job I love,’’ he said. “Unfortunately, I was wrong.’’

  He said he sought counseling in 2003 and intends to continue confronting the difficulties he will face through his gender change.

“I know many transsexuals who make the decision to transition to their proper gender are often forced to quietly leave their job in order to avoid embarrassment and discrimination,’’ he wrote. “However, it is not my nature to run from difficult challenges. I take tremendous pride in being your city manager and a part of our Largo family.’’

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