We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data.Cookies Policy
Accept
Michigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
Reading: Stu Rasmussen, First Openly Transgender Mayor in America, Dies at 73
Share
Font ResizerAa
Michigan PostMichigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved.
Michigan Post > Blog > Politics > Stu Rasmussen, First Openly Transgender Mayor in America, Dies at 73
Politics

Stu Rasmussen, First Openly Transgender Mayor in America, Dies at 73

By Editorial Board Published December 3, 2021 2 Min Read
Share
Stu Rasmussen, First Openly Transgender Mayor in America, Dies at 73
01Rasmussen facebookJumbo

Three weeks after the election, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, a religious group in Topeka, Kan., known for staging hate-filled, antigay protests at military funerals and other ceremonies, held a small rally in Silverton, where they lofted signs condemning Mr. Rasmussen and the town.

But an even larger number of locals turned out for a counterprotest. Some 200 people, including several men who had dressed in women’s clothing for the occasion, held their own signs, reading “Jesus Loves Stu” and “Stu Rocks.”

The encounter, which also drew national attention, later inspired a musical, “Stu for Silverton,” which debuted in Seattle in 2013.

Despite his celebrity, Mr. Rasmussen spent his second stint as mayor, from 2009 to 2015, with his head down, focused on the sort of issues that undergird most of life in small-town America. He built a skate park and a senior center. He established an early-warning system at a nearby dam. He ran City Council meetings. He was, in most ways that mattered, no different from any other politician, and the town treated him that way.

“A lot of people who are transgender think, ‘I can’t be myself here. I have to go somewhere else, go to Portland or to San Francisco, and let the other side of me come out,’” he told The Salem Statesman-Journal in 2015. “I transitioned in place. And the community came along with me.”

Stewart Alan Rasmussen was born on Sept. 9, 1948. His father, Albert, was a Danish immigrant who at various points in his life panned for gold, delivered mail and managed the Palace Theater. His mother, Nan (Dowling) Rasmussen, was a homemaker.

Stu received an associate’s degree in electrical engineering in 1971 from what is now Chemeketa Community College, in Salem, after which he spent nearly eight years working for a tech company in Beaverton, a western suburb of Portland. It was the only time in his life he lived outside Silverton.

TAGGED:Deaths (Obituaries)MayorsRasmussen, Stu (1948-2021)Silverton (Ore)The Washington MailTransgender and Transsexuals
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print

HOT NEWS

Whitmer to deal with Michigan economic system amid tariffs, job worries

Whitmer to deal with Michigan economic system amid tariffs, job worries

Michigan
September 16, 2025
Channel 4 ventures arm takes stake in start-up AllergyRhino

Channel 4 ventures arm takes stake in start-up AllergyRhino

The ventures arm of Channel 4, the state-owned broadcaster, is taking a stake in a…

September 16, 2025
Starbucks turns into founding-level associate for 2028 L.A. Olympic Video games

Starbucks turns into founding-level associate for 2028 L.A. Olympic Video games

LA28 introduced Starbucks because the official espresso associate for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics and…

September 16, 2025
In footage: Memorable moments between the royals and US presidents

In footage: Memorable moments between the royals and US presidents

American presidents have travelled to Britain to satisfy the Royal Household for greater than 100…

September 16, 2025
UK’s first drug consumption room in Glasgow shouldn’t be seen as ‘silver bullet’, says Westminster committee

UK’s first drug consumption room in Glasgow shouldn’t be seen as ‘silver bullet’, says Westminster committee

The UK's first safer drug consumption room shouldn't be seen as a "silver bullet" to…

September 16, 2025

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Tips on how to eliminate Keir Starmer

👉Hearken to Politics At Sam And Anne's in your podcast app👈Are some Labour skeletons about to come back crashing out…

Politics
September 16, 2025

Starmer’s ‘AI superpower’ dream in danger with out pressing adjustments, trade warns

Sir Keir Starmer's objective to make the UK an AI superpower is in danger with out pressing adjustments, a brand…

Politics
September 16, 2025

Former Tory minister Maria Caulfield defects to Reform UK

One other former Conservative MP has defected to Reform UK.Maria Caulfield, who served because the MP for Lewes for almost…

Politics
September 16, 2025

Flagship Scottish authorities justice reform invoice which is able to scrap not confirmed verdict to go earlier than MSPs in the present day

The Scottish authorities's flagship justice reform invoice - which incorporates abolishing the controversial not confirmed verdict - will go earlier…

Politics
September 16, 2025

Welcome to Michigan Post, an esteemed publication of the Enspirers News Group. As a beacon of excellence in journalism, Michigan Post is committed to delivering unfiltered and comprehensive news coverage on World News, Politics, Business, Tech, and beyond.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?