This last week at work has been very interesting. I am a teacher and came back after being off for two months. Anyway, I think all and all it was a pretty good week for my gender identity anyway.
I came in and immediately told all the staff (we didn't go around with names) but I went to every body I knew (friends and people I just see around) and said that I was going by ______ now. People have been very good about this. One or two people asked why and I said I had my reasons ( period!!). I did tell 3 people totally doubling my list of people who know.
I said this in the androgyne section but anyway...
Funny thing, someone went on about how curious she was. I planned to tell her anyway. Anyway, I finally said, I was going to give her the 2 minute version. I walked her out in the hall and told her it had to do with gender identity. I gave her about 3 more sentences. This is so much easier than the danged half hour version, so no more half hour version!!
I moderately changed how I presented all summer. No hat. This is public school-- so no hat (funny thing I had it in my supply bag and pulled it at various times). I also wore a fanny pack, which is androgynous but less male than the wallet and key fob I've been using. Just can't imagine teaching without this bag.
So I feel really good about all this but still nervous about the kids. I have more or less planned to use __________ no miss or ms. (I don't feel that I am mr. either.) This isn't particularly the custom here, but there are no rules against it.
One thing I am a bit up in the air about is coming out to the assistant principal. There are laws here re: trans but of course, that doesn't mean that there might not be trouble. I am in my last year til retirement btw.
BTW, I have started gender therapy. I am pretty happy re: the guy I am seeing. He's a trans guy so he totally does get it.
--Jay Jay
