Last week, the Largo, Florida City Commission voted 5-2 to begin the process to fire its city manager, Steve Stanton, after Stanton disclosed that he is transgendered and plans to seek sex-change surgery. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that 500 people attended the City Council meeting, and while some defended Stanton, many called for his ouster. Pastor Ron Saunders of Largo's Lighthouse Baptist Church told Council: "If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated."
Now however, another group of religious leaders plan to attend tonight's City Commission meeting to urge the Commission to reconsider its decision to fire Stanton. Yesterday's Largo Leader quoted Rev. Leddy Hammock, pastor of Unity Church of Clearwater, who said: "The Jesus I know called us to love one another, and taught, 'Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly'."
