Seriously concerned.

[Kevin Peña]

Ok, here's my situation.

-In high school.
-Training to be an EMT.
-Starting HRT in late January and taking my EMT certification test in late March.
-Seeking a job immediately after high school. (July)

After a couple of months on HRT, I know I won't see significant changes, so I'm not too worried about my EMT certification test (photo ID required). However, while applying for a job, unless I can get my name changed in high school along with my ID photo to match my appearance, I don't think it would be too wise to walk into an interview.

Unless I'm mistaken, in the US, one needs SRS to get a gender marker change. I plan on going full time after high school, but I'm worried about walking into a job interview en femme, but having a male gender marker on my application, even with a more feminine name. Has anyone had a problem like this? I don't know what to do and I don't want my being trans to get me denied a job.

[Beth Andrea]

As far as I know, there is no "gender" blank on job applications. It's against Federal law to ask questions dealing with race, gender, marital status, etc.

Even so, during the interview they can ask non-specific questions, like "Tell us about yourself..." in the hopes of finding out things they can't ask...but which you could volunteer.

[Kevin Peña]

So, basically, there is no way they can find out I'm trans?

[Beth Andrea]

So, basically, there is no way they can find out I'm trans?

Not unless you don't pass...employers aren't stupid, if they see or suspect something and they decide to not hire you for that, you'll never know. You'll just get a standard "Thank you for applying, but the position has been filled."

Once hired, you can expect gender-related questions on health insurance forms.

But don't let the fear of being turned down for being trans affect your presentation during the interviews...be personable, interested, and confident and that will always help.

[Cindy]

I know I may be a little different, but I interview many people for jobs in my hospital and university. I'm often asked to be a panel member for areas I don't know a lot about, possibly because I'm me.

I have never had a panel make a decision on a persons sexuality.  I can't remember it even being raised in private and 'off the record'. It has always been focussed on the best person for the job, and that may not mean the most qualified, skilled etc. It means the person who we think will perform the best in the situation.

Be yourself.  There are in fact good reasons why an EMT with gender skills/understanding could be an asset. Don't forget that!! Think positive.

And good luck too you.

Cindy

[tekla]

Name changes don't require anything (other than fees) in most places.

[Kevin Peña]

Alright, thanks, everybody. I feel a bit better now. 

[blueconstancy]

In the US, you need GRS to qualify to change your gender marker with Social Security. However, you can legally change it with a doctor's letter on your passport, and many states require only a doctor or therapist letter for the driver's license as well. If you're in one of those states, you can most likely apply for a job using those two as your "primary forms of ID" and not have to reveal your Social Security gender marker or birth certificate at all. (You will need to provide the birth certificate to get a passport - but the passport office will NOT consider the gender on the BC - and after that having a passport is considered proof of citizenship and of having a valid birth certificate.)

Social Security used to send "no match letters" to employers to flag people whose gender on record did not match what the employee said when they were hired, but they have *discontinued* doing this. Social Security will no longer out people this way.

In addition, sometimes the local SSA office doesn't know the policies or doesn't care. I know several people, including my wife, who got the gender marker changed just by asking, even though they hadn't had GRS and didn't have any "proof." So you could try that, too.

[Shantel]

I've known people who have had gender markers changed in the US with nothing more than a letter of intent from an MD or surgeon stating that they were planning an upcoming SRS. I could have done the same here in Washington State based on the fact that I have had an orchiectomy and was intending to have SRS in the near future. Anyone having an orchiectomy is no longer medically classified as male but rather a eunuch. Nasty word, I don't like it, but you're basically left suspended between two genders and in all practicality genderless at that point.

[Tristan]

in my Area of north florida we have had good outcome with lbgt in ems transport

[JoanneB]

So, basically, there is no way they can find out I'm trans?

In a round about way, yes they can. For an EMT position most likely there will be a criminal background check. Often other jobs require it. In the course of that, the name change will show up. Especially if the form you fill out asks for any name changes, aliases etc..

Method #2 is employment verification. The ole SS number check. Name, age sex etc..

Method #3 is health insurance. Again tied back into the SS num. Under whatever insurance you may be covered by now, Your name, age, & sex is in the Great God of the Electrons somewhere in the bowels of some insurance clearinghouse. HIPA regs help some, but the rumor mill at work does not follow rules other then if it's a good story, share.

Depending on what state you live in the requirements to change the gender marker on you drivers license varies widely. Birth certificate tends to always want SRS. A Google of the requirements for your state should be easily found. Plus TG organizations and groups tend to compile this.  For a passport HRT & electroysis counts towards "irreverisible methods...."  SS will change the name after a legal name change. I forget what they require for sex these days

[JoanneB]

In addition, sometimes the local SSA office doesn't know the policies or doesn't care. I know several people, including my wife, who got the gender marker changed just by asking, even though they hadn't had GRS and didn't have any "proof." So you could try that, too.

Same for my wife in the late 70's for both sex and name w/o a legal name change.

[Kevin Peña]

In a round about way, yes they can. For an EMT position most likely there will be a criminal background check. Often other jobs require it. In the course of that, the name change will show up. Especially if the form you fill out asks for any name changes, aliases etc..

Method #2 is employment verification. The ole SS number check. Name, age sex etc..

Method #3 is health insurance. Again tied back into the SS num. Under whatever insurance you may be covered by now, Your name, age, & sex is in the Great God of the Electrons somewhere in the bowels of some insurance clearinghouse. HIPA regs help some, but the rumor mill at work does not follow rules other then if it's a good story, share.

Oh well. Guess everyone's gonna know. 

[tekla]

It's become pretty much pro forma for employers to run a criminal background check for almost all jobs anymore.