FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | March 23, 2007

National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Organizations Condemn Ousting of Largo City Manager

(Largo, FL, March 23, 2007) — Today, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Florida, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force denounced the discriminatory action of the Largo, Florida City Commission for violating its own nondiscrimination policy as well as state and federal law by firing long time City Manager Steve Stanton after learning that Stanton is transgender. Stanton is one of the most successful and accomplished City Managers in the country and has loyally served the City of Largo for nearly two decades. The Commission's decision to terminate is a stunning demonstration of bias and intolerance. By choosing discrimination over inclusiveness, the City Commissioners failed Stanton and failed their city. Stanton, who is represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, will announce next week whether he intends to pursue litigation.