VOICES | In Transit
by Courtney O'Donnell
Trans-Mayor
Quaint, picturesque, and apparently progressive Silverton, Oregon just reelected their transgender Mayor for the fifth term. Stu Rasmussen talks.
On Election Day 2012, a transgender Oregonian drew national attention for the second time
by winning a fifth term as Mayor of Silverton, Oregon. Stu Rasmussen first drew media at-
tention in 2008 by being the first transgender person elected mayor in the United States.
Stu was born and grew up in Silverton. She was hired by Tektronics right JO: Has being trans presented opportunities for you (and for the city of
out of college, eventually ending up as a staff engineer for the Television Silverton) you might not have had otherwise?
Products Division. Later, she started a cable television company with a
partner bringing service into Silverton and Mt. Angel. After a while she Stu: The publicity after the 2008 election has resulted in a small bump
sold that company and moved on to a number of other engineering ven- in tourism — we should probably have capitalized on it early on but the
tures as well as running the Palace Theatre in Silverton. She also dabbled Chamber of Commerce was in the other political camp. That may change.
in local politics and along the way changed her gender and decided to
shoot for the mayor’s chair after serving three 4-year terms on the city JO: How do you view Portland as Mayor of Silverton?
council. Although national media came to town following her victory,
Stu says it was “no big deal” in Silverton.
Stu: I like Portland (it’s really ‘a small town with a lot of people’) and
visit at least once a week just so I can appreciate what we have here
A visit to Stu Rasmussen’s campaign website reveals that this no ordinary when I return. I describe Silverton as ‘40 miles and 40 years’ from
trans woman. The site states: “If you just stumbled on this site you may be Portland. Our downtown is a time capsule of when I grew up in the
asking yourself ‘Is this guy for real?’ or ‘Is that really a guy?’” No beating 50s and 60s and is a great spot for day trips from the Portland area. A
around the bush here.
weekend spent at the Oregon Garden Resort here and wandering in
Silverton’s business district is a great opportunity to re-charge one’s
Stu kept her first name after she changed gender. Pronoun references to personal batteries.
Stu in the local media appear to use both forms. This had me wondering
a bit so I checked in with Stu and asked her about this and a couple of JO: Any advice for Portland’s next mayor?
other things.
Stu: Avoid trysting with a teenager.
Just Out: Any pronoun preference?
JO: People who know you comment about what a great guy you are. These
Stu Rasmussen: I avoid ‘pronoun angst’ by personally not caring whether comments are made by people who live, lived or just drove through Silver-
I’m referred to in male or female terms. I grew up here [Silverton] as a guy ton. Most politicians would love this kind of feedback. What’s your secret?
and have transitioned to something ‘in-between’ where either is correct -
so either pronoun works fine.
Stu: I’m just being ‘me’. §
In Transit is written by Courtney O’Donnell for Just Out. Courtney is a Transgender actress, advocate, and writer, including being a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. She is also
the star of the film Lexie Cannes. Reach her at Courtney@JustOut.com.
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JustOut.com
January 2013