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Transitioning at work...finally


Guest nomnomnom

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Guest nomnomnom

I've made my mind up, I'm transitioning at my current workplace.

I get along well with everyone in the office so far, and am REALLY starting to get the whole mail fail happening now. People stare at me curiously, no longer thinking I'm just being a hippy with a mop hairdo.

Someone also hinted 'change is part of life' the other day too, lol.

I'm doing speech therapy and it's going well but still have a bit of difficulty getting the confidence to continually speak that way. Should i continue with my old voice?

also, pics of before and after, cause i think it's appropriate. I think I'm ready to do it.

gallery_21332_1758_32916.jpg

yep...

gallery_21332_1758_33179.jpg

Alicia

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Guest Nicole9

wow what a change Alicia, you look not only passable but beautiful. Congrats with having the confidence to come out at work. Please let us know how it goes and best of luck.

Hugs Nicole

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  • Forum Moderator

Sorry dear but if you want to you'll have trouble passing as anything other than a hippie chick. I don't know enough about your circumstances to say much more. Are you seeing a GT or getting therapy. Going full time , and that seems to be what you are preposing, is a step that takes more than a pretty face. You sure look and from what i know sound ready but it 's up to you.

Best wishes and whatever you do don't let fear be what stops you. We have to live as if it doesn't exist and then it seems to be taken from us.

Hugs,

Charlie

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  • 2 months later...
Guest nomnomnom

Well, I chickened out last time due to being scared and thinking about de-transitioning due to family circumstances.

but everything is good now!

I'm coming to work on Monday as Andrea (my first choice in name...picked by me and my partner a long time ago)

today a fellow engineer at work asked if I was wearing nail polish. I said yes, and that I'm coming to work female next week. He was confused...very confused, but I think some of it was lost in translation. Funny either way

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Andrea, have you been working with HR? That was critical for me. They, and my fellow co-workers, knew about me LONG before I changed gender at work, like 1 1/2 years. If not, than I'm concerned. I hope your company has a trans friendly policy.

Jenny

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Guest nomnomnom

Yep, HR is telling everyone tomorrow afternoon. I work for a multinational energy company and have read their policies. Very good on that front. A select number of people already know in my office and there are rumours floating about anyway.

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Guest nomnomnom

Xq9aczjl.jpg

everyone is really cool about it so far at work, except for the bible bashing engineer who is ignoring me.

I would have loved to come in a dress, but think I should ease them into it.

they changed my ID card this morning too, I actually like the photo :)

everything's coming up Milhouse.

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You are cute Alicia. That pic looks very classy and professional. Your facial aura and hair are wonderful. I am envious.

There always seems to be one who is offended in some way and we get ignored, or the silent treatment. In my case the person who ignored me eventually did talk to me at a business level, but I don't believe he's really accepted me.

Jenny

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Guest Kaylee234

You look great!

Congrats on taking this step. I'm not officially out at work yet but that day is getting closer and closer. Keep us posted on how it's going :) :)

~ Kay

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Guest Deenah

You do look very good i must say.

I was fortunate to find a employer that is very lgbt friendly.This company actually caters to the lgbt community and most of the people that work here are gay,lesbian,or transgender.When i started here i really didn't know all this till the day i had to fill out all the paperwork.On one of the papers there was the dreaded m/f box to check,i informed the lady that yes i did not check it for the reason that i am transgender and she can check what box she wants. She looked at me and said.. No,you check the box that you want too. The moment i put my pen in that F box i was in heaven. There was also a area that you could write in a nickname that you go by,i put Dee. It was kinda funny because after i finished she asked about it,told here i go by Deenah.She got a new paper and wrote Deenah in the name field,handed it back and asked me to look it over for anything that seemed wrong. I seen my name in that field and just about lost it..

There was no hour long talk about how and when i was going to come out at work,so i guess i was the lucky one.

Even in our break room there is a big sign that says.. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. There are many companies like this out there,and if you want to come out at work,places like this sure do make it a lot easier and comfortable.

Wish you the best,

Dee

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You look great. Congrats on the move and the new life. Everyone at my office new long before and I came in a few times on off days to say hi and let them meet "Nova".

I had a few employees that has resistance, but it's been more than a year and everything has just become normal.

Best of luck and congrats.

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Guest nomnomnom

Thanks all for the kind words.

agreed Deenah, the check boxes for gender are always painful, but it sounds like your employer is excellent

I'm at the end of my first week, everyone has been great from the first day. A few people surprises me too, the bible basher has said hi and asked for my advice on computers and the resident womaniser/misogamist/traditional old man has congratulated me on such a brave move and wishes me all the best.

all my fears were unfounded. Love it.

aVc4fzGl.jpg

my outfit yesterday.:)

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  • 3 weeks later...
Guest KerryUK

Hi Alicia,

I just wanted to add that I think you look absolutely wonderful - I'm only slightly envious, you lucky thing.

I came out at work about 3 months ago and I've found the same thing - most are fine about it and they are trying SO hard to get the pronouns right. I had one person at work who I thought was not able to accept me and I'd resigned myself to the fact that she would probably continue ignoring me. Then, a few weeks ago - she came up to me and apologised for the way she had been. It turned out that she didn't know how to approach me or what to say - awwwwwwwww. Well, I just thanked her very much and said "well, you needn't have been worried, I'm still me inside, just happier, much happier and see? I don't bite do I?" We both laughed and then had lovely chat. Now when she sees me, she always gives me a nice wave.

K x.

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  • Forum Moderator

Wonderful to hear about the acceptance.Congratz on the big step and I agree that you look amazing

Johnny

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest nomnomnom

Thanks all. I've been getting a few comments lately on my appearance. All positive. A security guard my uncle works (at the same place I work) told him I'm hot. Don't think he knows I'm trans, which is a good thing.

and a certain woman who works part time in my office is also jealous, I can see it in her eyes. Jealous at least that I can wear sexy office dresses without looking like an exploded sausage, lol.

life is certainly easier for me now I am full time. No longer having that wrong feeling is fantastic. Of course, not all is perfect, I need to find a job in the city and buy a house for my daughter and ex to live with me, this is nigh impossible in the current job market, but I'd have this problem either way.

so I guess I will buy a lotto ticket. Even though, being an engineer, I know the likelihood of winning ks next to none.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Guest nomnomnom

Arrrrggghhhh

My boss continues to address me / refer to me with male pronoun's. He just can't be bothered. Everyone else in the office refers to me perfectly every time, but not him!

He did it to me today when meeting new contractors at work. I don't want people to think I'm a cross dresser only.

if he continues in getting hr involved. He needs to try harder.

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Guest Kaylee234

Deliberate use of the improper pronouns and name is addressed in the policy regarding transgender people where I work. It is considered to be harassment and would be dealt with accordingly. Hopefully he can be nudged in the right direction without making him hostile to you, or before serious negative action needs to be taken.

I'll be thinking happy thoughts for you!

~ Kay

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Guest nomnomnom

Thanks.

I am aware of it being seen as harassment. Ultimately, I would like to avoid conflict, but if he doesn't try after I speak to him tomorrow, I'm bringing it further.

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Guest DianeATL

Thanks for sharing - You look fabulous and it is great to hear that people for the most part are supportive and understanding. I think that many who may be standoffish may fall into the category of the woman who just did not know how to handle it or what to say. She wasn't intentionally being mean, in fact she was avoiding you to prevent herself from accidentally saying the wrong thing. Your story is uplifting, please keep us posted.

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