First, in general, the United Pentecostals are a very harsh bunch. To them salvation is a very difficult thing to achieve, and harder to hold onto. They subscribe to some really non-orthodox teachings about the trinity, often called "oneness." More about that only if you are interested.
In order to be saved one must also speak in tongues. They take this teaching from a twisting of Acts 2:38. They also believe that their men and women must look a certain way (though some are changing on this). In general, women must wear dresses at all times. This, as you can imagine, causes some interesting clothing at places like swimming pools and ski resorts. They also do not believe a woman should cut her hair. So you see a lot of their women wearing their hair in buns because it has grown so long. They wear nothing revealing either and no makeup. Men, on the other hand, must not wear anything remotely approaching long hair. Some groups I know of actually have all of their men part their hair a certain way. Again, there are some local exceptions, but this is their official teaching.
Being any variety of transsexual would be an invitation to go directly to hell, do not pass go or collect $200. I could only hope that your co-worker, though a member, would be more open minded and realized that Jesus taught about love and things way more important than any of their legalism. After all, Jesus spent a lot of time with people who were outcasts in society and who needed some good news.
Hope this helps.
Kristi
