Transitioning and Employment

[Kevin Peña]

I want to be a firefighter//paramedic. I plan on transitioning while on the job, so has anyone else transitioned while employed? If so, would you say that doing so was detrimental to your employment (Ideally, those answering could be on some fire department, but I'd appreciate any answers)? Also, I plan on moving to another state, so if I have all of my records changed to suit my new name, would new employers be able to figure out that I'm trans? I just don't want to risk discrimination. Would it be advisable and/or feasible to change my name before becoming employed?

Any answers will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Apples]

Just looking at the firemen calendar... I don't think you would get to appear on it for a long time, xD

http://www.bomberosbilbao.com/php/calendario2007.php

Dunno, but fireman seems to look like a male dominated career, and muscle mass could be an issue.

[lilacwoman]

are firefighters still expected to enter bruning buildings and carry out people?   
Could be that that would prevent lots of people getting a job.

[MadelineB]

I want to be a firefighter//paramedic. I plan on transitioning while on the job, so has anyone else transitioned while employed? If so, would you say that doing so was detrimental to your employment (Ideally, those answering could be on some fire department, but I'd appreciate any answers)? Also, I plan on moving to another state, so if I have all of my records changed to suit my new name, would new employers be able to figure out that I'm trans? I just don't want to risk discrimination. Would it be advisable and/or feasible to change my name before becoming employed?

Any answers will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Not a firefighter, though I feel like I'm putting out fires sometimes.

One consideration, is that any employer who is at all supportive or professional will use your new name for future references etc if you transitioned while working there. They update all the employment records and computer systems, especially if you change your driver's license and social security while there. Former employers can also be asked to update your work history information to show your new name - this happens all the time for women who marry and/or divorce.

More people these days are having very successful transitions at work. You have to be twice as good and twice as professional, but women get that already!

If you still haven't found full time work when you are ready to go full time in your gender presentation/name/etc, I wouldn't put off transitioning, but at the same time, I wouldn't put off going to work before you transition. The only exception is if you HAVE to go full stealth, like working for a transphobic church.

Here's a good search for stories about successful transitions by transgender firefighters:
http://www.google.ca/search?as_q=transgender+firefighter&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&safe=off&tbs=&as_filetype=&as_rights=

[Kevin Peña]

Well thanks for the replies everybody.

Just looking at the firemen calendar... I don't think you would get to appear on it for a long time, xD

http://www.bomberosbilbao.com/php/calendario2007.php

Dunno, but fireman seems to look like a male dominated career, and muscle mass could be an issue.

I didn't want to be on the calender anyway. Besides, even now, I don't have much muscle. I weigh about 150 pounds, but can squat and bench press over 400. Gymnastics builds strength with no bulk. 

I also appreciate the reassurance, Madeline. I plan on transitioning while at work as a paramedic. Thanks for the link.

[MrTesto]

A CORI check or a credit check would bring up previous names.

[MadelineB]

A CORI check or a credit check would bring up previous names.

Thanks for the reminder. There's a great thread here on Susans re: correcting your name on your credit records with the three credit bureaus:
Credit report issues after legal name change

[Apples]

I didn't want to be on the calender anyway.

Sorry, it was more of a bad joke, xD. That thing is in half of the women's desks at the office.

[Cindy]

In Australia we have female fire fighters and many female paramedics.  I know there are passing tests for people in fire fighting to carry certain weights but their gender should not matter as long as they pass the tests.

In your case as an FtM as long as you can pass the fitness tests I cannot see any problems.

As for paramedics I can't see any reason to worry about it.

But...... You can always go to the fire and paramedic training schools and ask what the physical requirements are. As long as you pass them it shouldn't matter a dime to anyone what gender or sex you are.

[Kevin Peña]

Sorry, it was more of a bad joke, xD. That thing is in half of the women's desks at the office.

To be honest, it's in mine too...

A CORI check or a credit check would bring up previous names.

Ok, I know I'm about to sound stupid, but if I never have a credit card or take part in any loans, I don't think I'd have a credit history. How bad is it to not have a credit history at all, even though I have social security and all things a US citizen should have? I just have no need or desire for credit cards or loans since I live a very simple lifestyle, never want kids, and frankly don't find it to be a good idea to use money you don't have.

In Australia we have female fire fighters and many female paramedics.  I know there are passing tests for people in fire fighting to carry certain weights but their gender should not matter as long as they pass the tests.

In your case as an FtM as long as you can pass the fitness tests I cannot see any problems.

As for paramedics I can't see any reason to worry about it.

But...... You can always go to the fire and paramedic training schools and ask what the physical requirements are. As long as you pass them it shouldn't matter a dime to anyone what gender or sex you are.

Oh, I know I can pass the tests easily. The only problem is that firefighters can be a conservative bunch sometimes, hence my questions.

[Tristan]

Well as a nurse paramedic I can tell you my paramedic job was behind me on transitioning but it may have been in part because they thought I could pass ok. But they always have my back. And vice versa. It can be done. On the down side as a nurse I'm now in girl world so I'm no longer neutral in their petty games now I'm in it full force

[Kevin Peña]

Well as a nurse paramedic I can tell you my paramedic job was behind me on transitioning but it may have been in part because they thought I could pass ok. But they always have my back. And vice versa. It can be done. On the down side as a nurse I'm now in girl world so I'm no longer neutral in their petty games now I'm in it full force

Well, I'm really glad to hear that. Thanks for the reassurance.

[Rena-san]

In regards to transitioning and employment. If I fill out an application with my male name--which I have to because it is my legal name--but go to the interview or the first day of the job as my female self and ask to be called by my female name, can I be fired or discriminated against? Will I likely lose a job/job opportunity if I do such? I'm already in the process of transitioning. Its just in my state I need $300 for a name change, and I don't have that much money.