Salina discusses adding sexual orientation, gender identity to discrimination ordinance

    CHRIS HUNTER  The Salina Journal
    First Posted: February 27, 2012 - 8:57 am
   
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/3aabb62b68d94935b485fddd853b2b07/KS--Salina-Equality-Ordinance/   

SALINA, Kan. — Despite being born in a boy's body, Steven Mott knew from the age of 6 that he was actually a woman on the inside, but assumed the role he thought he had to to survive.

"Imagine entering into a play and assuming the role of character, not yourself," Mott told about 30 people Sunday afternoon in the Prescott Room of Salina Public Library. "You play the role all day long when on the stage and in front of people and, at the end of the day, you come out of the role, become yourself and then go to bed."

Mott said the "play" continued until he was a homeless 48-year-old alcoholic man in Pueblo, Colo. It was after alcohol treatment and therapy in Topeka that Steven started down the road to becoming Stephanie, the woman he always knew he was.

"I don't think I am a woman," Mott said. "I am a woman. I have a woman's brain. It is my gender identity."