Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Lake Worth City Manager Susan Stanton, formerly Largo City Manager Steve Stanton, is the subject of a two-hour CNN documentary scheduled to air this weekend .
She hopes it will alter public perceptions about gender change.
“I hope to give people another perspective,” Stanton said. “I’m hoping when people see it they’ll say: ‘I get it. I understand why people do this.’”
CNN crews followed Stanton around for two years and made use of video monologues and diary entries to produce Her Name Was Steven, scheduled to air at 8 and 11 p.m. today and Sunday and the following days at 2 a.m.
“It’s something I’m very proud of,” Stanton said. “I gave CNN intimate access to my life. They were in the operating room.”
A CNN crew also was in Sarasota when Stanton was served with divorce papers.
Parts of the film that include Stanton’s son, 16-year-old Travis, are highlights for the Lake Worth city manager.
“The main story line is the love of a father and son,” Stanton said.
Steve Stanton had worked for the Pinellas County town of Largo for 17 years when he was fired in February 2007 after city officials learned of his plans to become a woman.
Largo commissioners complained about the disruption and said they’d lost trust in his leadership. One pastor proclaimed that “if Jesus was here tonight, I guarantee you he’d want him terminated.”
“This is the story of one person,” said Bud Bultman, executive producer of the documentary, who has traveled the country with Stanton promoting the work at film festivals. “It’s not the story of all transgender people. It gives you a feel for what Susan dealt with — the pain of that transition and the joys as well.”
The documentary ends with a note that Stanton was chosen in April for the $150,000-a-year job as Lake Worth’s city manager.
“It’s sort of like the happy ending that she got the job in Lake Worth,” Bultman said.
Based on the national discussion sparked by Stanton’s firing in Largo, other local governments such as Lake Worth and Palm Beach County updated their codes to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.
“She was hired because she was the best candidate for the job,” Lake Worth City Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill said. Mulvehill said she hopes the documentary portrays Lake Worth as “a welcoming community.”
Stanton, 51, is scheduled to have her first review as city manager on March 29.
“We’re a very, very open city,” Mayor Rene Varela said, adding that the city commission hires people “based on the content of their character, not on the wrapper on the outside.”
Tony Plakas, chief executive officer of Compass, the Lake Worth-based gay and lesbian community center, said the Stanton documentary is educational and reflects well on Lake Worth.
“There’s a strong sense of social justice in Lake Worth,” Plakas said. “Somebody referred to us as the San Francisco of Florida, and we’re quickly becoming that.”
This was a well done documentary. It was thought-provoking and educational. One of my closest friends is a transgender male. Having him in my life has been such a blessing. And yes…I AM A CHRISTIAN so when I say it’s been a blessing, I really mean it!! I’m deeply saddened to read some posts filled with hatred, bigotry and intolerance. The One God I believe in is all about LOVE! That’s all the world really needs…one human to love another human. It’s not that hard, really!
So much ignorance here. transgender is a Chromosomal defect. If God doesn’t make mistakes, as the right wing hate filled Christian element would have us believe, explain to me all the children born retarded, deformed, MS syndrome…. God does NOT make mistakes, unfortunately, genetics do! I find it odd that a child born retarded or any other anomaly get all kinds of sympathy but because a transgendered persons defect is of a sexual nature they’re labeled “Freaks” and cast out by the allegedly “Loving”, “Christian” people. Christianity people, means to accept and Love all people. “Judge not others lest ye be judged.” Jesus himself befriended outcasts yet modern day “Christians” use the Bible to selectively endorse their own hate? get a life!
Hay Tim; my name is Courtney and I am a transgender after I must say that after watching Her name was Steven – I felt that my life was a carbon copy of what Susan had to deal with within heart personal feelings different.
I’m a former public school educator/school administrator; I lost my job due to the fact that my secret got out about being a transgender. I was always open gay, but never dressing up in women clothings during my work hours, only during my weekend party time. I went back to school after 14yrs to get my degree to become a teacher. I received my B.S Degree became a teacher; after many years within the classroom – I was told to move into leadership; with knowing that I was a transgender that it was never possible and my secret was still a secret; in 2008 my underlying secret got out, the job I love and so badly wanted; all in all – I picked up my things and relocated to Atlanta, GA., becoming a full time transexual; I’m not in the classroom; lost many, many friends but I’m finally free and have peace of mind and I’m happy that I no longer have to live a lie within myself. Same success story within Susan – I’m complete within my.
Truly,,
Courtney
This is the first story I’ve seen on a Trans-gendered individual. I was touched by the struggle that Susan endured on her journey to become the person she felt she was. Being a Straight female, who has never encountered that type of discrimination, IT WAS SUCH AN EYE OPENER. I’ve heard people make jokes about individuals who are different and being a christian, I feel It Is wrong to belittle another simply because they are different than you….Thank You So Much for educating me what it is like to be in your shoes Susan!
I was not impressed with this story, it was actually disgusting if you want my honest opinion. Not because he was transgender but because he spent $20,000 on a sex operation when he has no job and a small child to support and also because he discusses suicide with his son. What kind of parent does that??? This guy is disturbed and instead of telling his story to CNN, why not get a good psychologist. This was a flop by CNN. They should spend time on stories that matter, like child abuse in this country, soldiers that are forever disabled by the war in Afghanistan, why more is not done in Haiti. Who cares about this guy anyway?????
It’s not a race of who has it worse – how are you supposed to be a stable person if you’re not allowed to live in a way that brings you peace & happiness? Maybe you should do more research because you don’t get it.
Having sex reassignment surgery is NOT a choice, buddy. If she did not get it, she likely would end up like so many of us – dead by suicide, and gee, then the kids would not have her now.
And in order to get the two letters to get SRS, pal, you need to get them from a psychiatrist and psychologist, so I guess that tosses YOUR argument out the window.
Stories like this DO matter, because you are a prime example why. So much lack of education on being transsexual (she is transsexual and NOT transgender…) and so much hatred and intolerance of those of us who are.
And by the way, I AM a veteran, from Canada, where they allow us to transition ON THE JOB and gee, no problemo.
To bfill….
Who cares about this guy? I do! And hopefully so do many others.
What business is it of yours that the $20,000 was spent? And how do you know that it wasn’t paid for by CNN? That surgery was just as important in this mans life as by-pass would be in yours. It may very well have saved his life. And you have no right to criticize his parenting. I very much doubt that he openly discussed suicide with his son. How would you feel if your son came to you and shared his secret of being transgendered? Would you care than? And he DID have a psychologist! As for the issues of child abuse in this country, soldiers that are forever disabled by the war in Afghanistan, and why more is not done in Haiti, I agree that all of those things are terrible and worthy of airtime but so is this issue!
Kudos to CNN for attempting to educate the ignorant bigots in this world! And FYI, I am not transgendered, gay or lesbian, nor do I have anyone in my family who is. I am a 64 year old Grandmother who simply believes in living as a Christian and not just claiming to be one while I judge others on this earth.
My partner and I watched this movie and we were extremely touched by it. This was a very thought provoking movie and heartfelt. How can so many people call themselves “Christians” and yet turn their backs on someone who was in such pain and in need of a friend. Steve (now Susan) gave 17 years of his life to the city of Largo…did a great job as City Manager and then because he wanted to change and live his life as a woman (the person he truly was all his life), they turn their backs on him and left him out in the cold. Shame on those people who are suppose to love and forgive. I wanted to reach through the television and extend my arms to wrap around this poor soul who was losing everything but his son. He obviously is a great father because he taught his son how to truly love unconditionally.
H.Lutz
Texas
I watched the movie with great interest, like so many other viewers indicated modern so called christians are quick to judge however they are not “Susan” the documentary was well done and thought provoking. I am going to follow up on Susan’s outcome as the city manager and her day to day life. Good Work!
I found the CNN documentary to be very inspiring and thought provoking. I have a very good friend who is a transgendered female. She and I have talked about the many issues she has encountered from losing friends, a job, and divorce. She has persevered and is doing very well. I have learned a great deal from her on how to deal with adversity.