Small Oregon Town Becomes Gay Rights Battleground
Silverton, OR November 25, 2008 8:44 a.m.
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downloadA small Oregon town is drawing attention in the war over gay rights. The election this month of Stu Rasmussen to be mayor of Silverton prompted a small protest Monday outside City Hall. Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.
Four members of a Kansas church held signs denouncing Silverton’s mayor-elect.
A much larger crowd of counter-protestors held signs in support of Stu Rasmussen.
But Jonathan Phelps of the anti-gay demonstrators insisted Rasmussen’s supporters had it all wrong.
Jonathan Phelps: “These folks hate Stu because they will not by any means warn him about the sin that’s taking him to hell.”
Rasmussen is a man who dresses like a woman.
He also has breast implants.
He didn’t join in the demonstrations, which included many of his constituents, but watched them from the side.
Stu Rasmussen: “Is this a great town or what? I love these people.”
Rasmussen has served in city government in Silverton for nearly 20 years, but only started cross-dressing several years ago.
He ran for mayor on a slow-growth platform.
© 2008 OPB
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