Stu Rasmussen first openly transgender mayors in Oregon

This Election Season marks the beginnings of a new era in this country.

We elected an African-American president.

And in the tiny city of Silverton, Oregan, voters pulled off what California could not: looked past differences to see the person underneath and treat him without discrimination.

Stu Rasmussen has become one of the first openly transgender mayors in the United States.

Rasmussen has served 2 terms as Mayor of Silverton, but it was only this time around that he campaigned in a skirt and heels.

Rasmussen identifies as a heterosexual male, and his girlfriend is happy for his landslide win. He has always been transgender, but "came out" only a couple of years ago. He jokingly says that his bosom was the result of a mid-life crisis, "Some guys' mid-life crisis is motorcycles or sports cars or climbing mountains or trophy wives or whatever. I always wanted cleavage, so I went out and acquired some."

Stu admits that was worried how his run for Mayor would go, but was glad to see that people were unfazed. "We get down to discussing whatever the issue is - city business or business or whatever - and they figure out this guy's different, but he knows what he's talking about."

Voter Gail Frassenei says, "He wants to maintain the integrity of Silverton. I think it's amazing a small town like this can be so open-minded, to elect someone that's made a life change."

Becoming a little bit emotional, Rasmussen says, "I'm prejudiced, but I think this is just about the coolest town on Earth."

We wish we could say similarly for California.

By the way, yes, we used the term "transgender" correctly.