Many questioned the political wisdom of St. Paul City Council Member Bob Sylvester's decision to publicize his transition from man to woman in the early 1980s.

He became Susan Kimberly, and now she is retiring -- for the third time -- after decades of service to the city she loves, St. Paul.

An adviser to mayors, a dealmaker, a policy wonk in every sense, Kimberly, 68, has earned respect from people inside and outside City Hall while keeping a strong sense of self and interest in city issues. That's in spite of two major transformations -- changing genders and switching political parties in a mostly one-party town.

"I lost more friends becoming a Republican than I did becoming a woman," she said.

http://www.startribune.com/susan-kimberly-s-new-transition/99671469/