Due to the very public nature of my job as a government official and the national attention my termination received by the national media, I have tried to represent the transgender community with honor, grace and dignity. Instead of engaging in litigation with my former employer or becoming angry and bitter over the circumstance that caused my very public termination, I have attempted to use my experiences to educate the public of the transgender journey.
Many people have expressed their strong belief that I am not qualified to be a spokesperson for the transgender community. Admittedly, prior to my own experience becoming public, I had very limited interaction with members from the transgender community due to the pubic nature of my job and the need to keep my private struggles from becoming disruptive to my city and community. Unfortunately, for better or for worse, today I am often perceived to be the face of the transgender community. This is not a role I ever sought or have particularly enjoyed. However, it is appropriate that I clearly address the concerns expressed by so many people concerning my position regarding ENDA and being a member of the transgender community.
During the last year, I have had a very unique opportunity to become acquainted with many members of the transgender community and the wide diversity of life experiences. Contrary to the St. Petersburg Times article, I do not see members of the transgender community as "men wearing dresses." However, I do feel there is a fundamental misunderstanding by the general public that being transgender is simply a matter of men wanting to "dress up as women." Most people do not understand the medical nature of being a transgender and therefore cannot understand the need or justification for non-discrimination protection in employment and housing. During the extensive discussions associated with my termination, many reasonable people felt it was irresponsible conduct for a government official to be "dressing up in women's clothes" let alone expect to someday "come to work in drag." In my extensive discussion with the national media, transgender people are still perceived to be living unhealthy lifestyles inconsistent with family values. It is my belief that until the general public is properly educated on the diversity of gender identification and expression, attempts at passing comprehensive federal legislation prohibiting discrimination will not have the necessary support in Congress.
As a city manager, I am sensitive to the impact that gender expression can have in the workplace. Many people in the transgender community felt my own termination was pure discrimination and have used my experience to justify the need for the passage of ENDA. However, I believe even in my own case, the reasons for my termination were far more complex then simply an unlawful act of discrimination. As a city manager, I had a responsibility to ensure my own personal life was not disruptive to city operations or inconsistent with the values of the community. Based upon the current level of understanding regarding the fundamental nature of gender identity among the general public, the Largo City Commission concluded that my conduct, following the medical standard of care for transsexuals, compromised my integrity and ability to provide leadership to my employees and was in conflict with both family and moral values of the community.
Ironically, I was excited to participate in the news article in the St Petersburg Times for two very important reasons. First, I wanted to update my own community on the status of my gender transition and show that my wife, son and I are all dealing with a very difficult situation in a very healthy and supportive way. Contrary to the article, my wife does not feel my transsexualism is a disability and she has been very supportive and loving during this very difficult time through which we are both living. Secondly, I hoped to show that I have also experienced the same trauma and challenge other transsexual people face during a gender transition. Many people continue to incorrectly assert that I am receiving financial assistance from CNN in exchange for participating in a year long documentary on my gender transition; that I am being compensated by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for advocating their position regarding ENDA; and that I am receiving large speaking fees for talking to groups around the nation. As stated, not only am I not receiving compensation for any activities associated with advocating for the rights of the transgender community, I have had to turn down a number of speaking requests because many organizations and news agencies have often failed to reimburse me for traveling expenses. Like many other people who have lost their jobs as a result of their gender transition, I too have faced the same difficulties in finding employment in my profession.
Unfortunately, anyone reading this article would think I am a conceited, arrogant, depressed, suicidal victim in need of immediate medical intervention. I regret that the Times conveyed this very unflattering portrait and the damage it has done to my personal and professional reputation. However, it goes with the territory of being a public figure. During my numerous speaking engagements, people with transgender children continue to tell me that we lack successful transsexual role models who are in visible leadership positions. Unfortunately, people who do "successfully" transition become invisible and the general public's view of transsexual people is dominated by the imagines they see on the Jerry Springer Show. Given this situation, it is not surprising that people like me are fired once our secret is made public and there is insufficient political support for ENDA.
Contrary to the Times article, I am extremely excited about the New Year and my opportunity to demonstrate that a transsexual woman can still exercise leadership in the pursuit of public service as a city manager. I refuse to be incapacitated or disabled by bitterness, injustice or past discrimination.
During the last few days I have received hundreds of nasty, offensive and obscene e-mails from irate members of the transgender community from all over the county. I could not have imagined any e-mails being more offensive then the nasty-grams that were directed at me while at Largo when residents were demanding my immediate termination. I was wrong ... so very wrong. I do understand how upset everyone is with me; I understand your feelings and I accept that the "trans-community" does not want me to "represent them" any longer.
Message Received!!!
I would request that everyone stop sending me e-mails since I am no longer going to read this poison any longer.
In all future media communications I will expressly state that I do not speak for or represent anyone other then myself.