... And Just A Few More, If You Don't Mind

Thank you for all the e-mails on the Stanton case -- I can't answer them all individually but I am reading them and appreciate both the good words and the criticism. Here are a few more examples:

I just cannot believe we, as Americans, as X-Baptist, are so small minded. It makes me so ashamed. -- Ava Herron

What's next --- witch trials,tar and feathering? I'm sure their stance on " gross intolerance " will promote a great deal on tourism.  Perhaps the KKK will want to hold a convention in Largo!!! -- Cookie Gross

My only conclusion is that the ownership and leadership of your paper is as morally bankrupt  as Steven Stanton's life seems to be. -- Charles Train, Largo

My brother was a transsexual until he committed suicide 2 years ago. My sister physically became my brother in the late 60's-early 70's with the support of our family. We all went through hell for years due to the ignorance and closed-mindedness of others including the psychotherapists. -- Debby, Palm Harbor

Comments

[annie.rushton]

The known suicide rate for transsexuals is about 20%. There is obviously no data known on those that commit suicide without telling anyone why.

I know of no other birth defect - whatever actually causes the misfire in those few weeks between genital development and brain development - that makes people feel they are allowed to publicly crucify them and call them perverted, sinners, and worse.

In my experience, it seems that a lot of TS people spend their lives in some form of public service. They also tend to live life very much as a good Christian should.

It confounds me that ignorant people feel compelled to torment them for something they have no control over.

Debby, I am so sorry for your loss.

[Jerry]

Largo: 'City of Progress'

Stanton was just another victim of a witch hunt; succumbing to a mob comprised of ignorant, religiously intolerant and otherwise bigoted persons. This sort of thing probably happens dozens of times a week in our country.

Those that think this is not a religious debate are only partially correct. This is a debate regarding religious intolerance AND ignorance AND bigotry.

We all should be suspicious of ANYONE who uses logic of circular dependency to argue their point or otherwise make decisions on our behalf (e.g. MY book is the RIGHT book because it SAYS SO in MY book).

How many opinions have we read from scripture-quoting people who were obviously bigoted and know nothing about transsexuality? While it is easy to simply ignore the ignorant among us, all of us need to be aware that, more and more, these types of people are moving into positions of responsibility and leadership.

Sadly, we are surrounded by superstitious, stone-throwing decision-makers who see themselves as the moral epitome of society.

[Brandon Pride]

And Jesus said "He who is without sin cast the first stone."

www.unbanned.org

[Carla]

Another person believing the lies that all christians are like this. Thanks alot people for opening your mouths to rude comments, and ruining what our religion really stands for. Maybe these people are in the KKK, all I know is their not practicing the religion as it is in the bible. What a shame upon us all.