Lafferty + ONN = Hyperbole Squared

Stu Rasmussen is the mayor of Silverton, Oregon, and reportedly, the first openly trans-gendered mayor in the United States. Mayor Rasmussen prefers male pronouns. He considers himself to be a heterosexual male but presents as a female which includes breast augmentation. Presumably, Mayor Rasmussen was elected for his mind and his goals for the city. His sexuality, which does not quite fit into any prefabricated definition, is irrelevant.

The headline in American "Family" Association's OneNewsNow, Mayor censured after inappropriate exposure to children, suggests some sort of spectacularly inappropriate behavior. As is typical with ONN, the facts are quite different.

According to Oregon’s Statesman Journal, Brenda Sturdevant, director of the youth program Together, has filed a formal complaint with the Silverton City Council claiming that Rasmussen violated the city council dress code for public figures by wearing high heels, a short skirt, and a revealing halter top to the event. Rasmussen said he was surprised by the complaint and initially thought it was a hoax. The complaint was not retracted.

It is surprising and disappointing that an organization chartered to promote diversity and cultural understanding would take a public position of intolerance.

Along comes Andrea Lafferty of Traditional Values Coalition. Laffterty is the daughter of TVC's bigot-in-chief, Lou Sheldon.

People shouldn't be intimidated. I think it's great that people are objecting. I think it's great that they pushed the city council to vote, even if it was just to say that the man was dressed inappropriately … He needs to behave, particularly around children. He should be kept away from kids."
 
Lafferty says homosexuals and transgendered people often prefer the "in your face" type of exposure to their lifestyle. She also contends they believe it is best to ask for forgiveness afterwards than to ask permission up front.

I am mystified as to why Lafferty suggests that Rasmussen "should be kept away from kids." Does she believe that GID is contagious? More importantly, what does Lafferty know about Stu Rasmussen other than his sexuality? The superficiality of Lafferty and the radical Christian right is appalling. I would argue that Mayor Rasmussen has nothing to apologize for. Furthermore, the lawfully elected mayor doesn't need anyone's permission to appear as he appeared throughout the mayoral campaign. His message to the youth group is more important that his appearance. Lafferty will never get that.

Ms. Lafferty should be more concerned about the "values" that she is teaching her own children.