Started Coming Out At Work!

[Guest Djeridoo]

I have begun to come out at work, and it is going so much better than I had imagined it would.

I am a care worker at an assisted living facility, and in my introductory post awhile back I had expressed a lot of concern about coming out at work, that I would lose my job and whatever friendships I had built, etc.

Anyway, I took a leap of faith and spoke to one of my supervisors (in confidence), and she was completely accepting of it. She told me people would talk a lot (where I work is very gossipy) once I come out to everyone, but she expressed to me that she was positive I would not lose my job and that they would be more than willing to work with me.

Yesterday, my supervisor and I spoke to the head nurse, who is the superior of my supervisors, and she, too, was accepting of it. She is also currently filling in for the Director. At this time, the both of them again expressed to me I would not be losing my job. If any one of my coworkers proves to be a problem towards me, they told me I would not be placed with that person. If any harassment occurs, they told me to let them know and they would do something about it.

We're going to come out to my second supervisor tomorrow, but they're both positive she will be more than okay with it. Once I come out to her, my supervisors are going to help me come out to my co-workers over the coming week, primarily the ones I work with most and my friends there at work (we're going to take them either individually or in groups of two into the office and my supervisor will be present when I tell them).

A few days after I came out to my supervisor, I expressed my nervousness regarding my upcoming annual review, and she told me "Don't worry about it! You're going to get a good review. We want you to get a raise!" Even after I came out to her!

I can't even begin to tell you how relieved I am. This was my biggest concern about my transition, and it's going so smoothly already! I feel so lucky to be working here, even if the politics can be a pain and the pay isn't great.

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Djeridoo,

Come here and let me hug you... <HUGGGGGGGGG>

Congratulations!!!

I am so very proud of you

Love

Brenda

[Guest Donna Jean]

Djeridoo,

Hon.....

I need to come out at work sooner than later...

And I'm gonna need some luck and experience....

Can you come to work with me one day?

I'll buy you lunch and let you ride the forklift...

(You're doing great! I'm proud of you!)

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Sally]

Well, Dee Jay your coworkers are just not that sharp!

I've seen what you wear to work and how you look in it - they have got to be legally blind!

Add to that - you smell like cookies - wearing Vanilla extract for perfume!

I am much more subtle - I just don't think about it until I point to a refrigerator like Vanna White would!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Djeridoo]

Thank you for the posts ladies, I appreciate it!

Donna Jean, I wish you good luck with coming out when you do! I'm afraid I don't have a whole ton of advice to give, but what I did was told someone at work who I knew I could trust to keep it a secret, to kind of test the waters. That helped me build a little confidence, and then later down the road I told my first superior that knew me well and for who I was. She really helped me in telling people.

Anyway, I have a bit of an update! I had received my first annual evaluation yesterday, and it was stellar! I received almost entirely "outstanding" marks with a handful of "above-standard" ones (our evaluations are set up something like a rubric, if that gives any sort of picture of what I am talking about). All written notes were very positive, and I was recommended with a raise.

Today my supervisor discussed with the lady in Human Resources what I was going through, and she was very accepting too. She was more concerned than anything that I was sure about this! She also said this certainly won't affect my job, I and other co-workers just can't discuss this (or any personal life matters, which is a given) in front of residents or their family.

The woman in the admissions office also knows now, and she said she just wants to give me a big hug for going through with this and being so brave. Our LPN now knows too, as well as quite a few co-workers. Everyone so far has been more than okay with it! No one even really cares, they're all just very curious and a little surprised.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Honey.....

That's all just totally incredible!

And, the part that really gets to me is how your work is so outstanding while at the same time handling your gender issues! That's amazing!

Here is a big congratulatory {{{{{{HUGGGG}}}}}}.....

You have an angel on your shoulder!

LOVE

Donna Jean

[Guest Djeridoo]

It goes to show that, at least in some places, times are a-changin'!

Every person I have come out to so far (certain friends and family, work) has been accepting and understanding! This astounded me, as I was not expecting such a positive response on a whole. I feel more than lucky for this! And I can only hope other transgender individuals can have a similar experience.

[Guest Robin Winter]

That's so awesome hun! I'm very pleased for you