Stu Rasmussen: Transgender Mayor Criticized for Attire

Silverton, Oregon's Mayor Stu Rasmussen is disturbed that his wardrobe choices are coming under fire.

From KCBY:

Silverton's openly transgender mayor is under fire for his choice of attire when he went to speak to a group of students.

Silverton Together, a non-profit group that works with young people, filed a formal complaint and Mayor Stu Rasmussen is not happy that his wardrobe is under attack.

"Why are we even having this discussion? I'm an adult. I'll wear what I please," he said.

Ken Hector, President of Silverton Together, said the mayor violated the city's dress code when he spoke to a group of leadership students wearing a bathing suit top, a mini skirt and high heels. And he said three parents complained to him directly about the mayor's appearance.

"This was a business meeting pure and simple and it was not something on his free time," Hector said.

The City Council will decide what to do about the complaint. The mayor could get a warning, he could be told not to represent the city at public events or he could be kicked out of office, although we were told that is unlikely.

Rasmussen argues the city dress code does not apply to him since he is transgender and not entirely a male or female.

"Well, if they're going to be smart about it, they're going to look at the dress code and say, well, this is really obsolete now because it doesn't meet current conditions," he said.

I think Rasmussen is intentionally creating controversy.

The people elected him mayor of Silverton. He obviously has or had support from the majority.

They've entrusted him to represent them.

So why would Rasmussen speak to a "group of leadership students wearing a bathing suit top, a mini skirt and high heels"?

And Rasmussen is complaining that he's being unfairly criticized.

That's ridiculous.

His attire was completely inappropriate.

He said, "I'm an adult. I'll wear what I please."

No, not when he's serving in an official capacity as mayor of Silverton.

Rasmussen must conduct himself in a fashion befitting his office.

Wearing a bathing suit top and a skimpy skirt during a businesss meeting with students is unbelievably over the line.

Of course, the city dress code applies to him.

I would hope that Rasmussen comes to his senses and realizes that serving as mayor is an honor and his constituents deserve a mayor who respects them and respects the office.

Right now, he's being very selfish.

I don't think he should be removed from office for this; but if Rasmussen should choose to run for reelection, I think Silverton voters should take his inappropriate behavior into consideration before they grant him the privilege of serving as their mayor for another term.