Clear Example of Employment Discrimination

Washington, DC — Late Tuesday, the Largo City Commission voted (5-2) to begin the dismissal process of City Manager Steve Stanton following his recent coming out as a transgender person. Stanton has served the Largo community for 14 years. Currently, there are no federal employment protections for individuals based on “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.” The City Commission of Largo rejected a law in 2003 that would have protected transgender employees from this type of shameful treatment. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that is likely to be introduced in Congress this year would provide protections for this type of workplace discrimination.

Statement of Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality:

“This is a crystal clear example of the type of employment discrimination that transgender people experience every day around the U.S.,” said Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality. “Steve Stanton is an exemplary public servant and has served the City of Largo loyally for over a decade. He is being fired for one reason: he made the brave decision to live openly as his true self. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has fought long and hard for federal employment protections to stop just this type of outrageous, disgusting discrimination. Sadly, the firing of Steve Stanton is another in a long, shameful line of examples of why Congress must introduce—and pass—the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)."

Take Action Now:
You can take action by sending an email in support of Steve Stanton from Equality Florida's website. Equality Florida has done and continues to do great work fighting for justice in Largo. To send an email to the Largo City Commission, click here. [http://ga4.org/campaign/diversityinlargo]