As many of you know I transitioned on the job and stealth doesn't exist for me as any option.
I had what was going to be a heavy meeting with eight men who all knew me before. The door was held open for me and they waited while I went into the lift (elevator?) first.
I sat at the table and one of the guys asked if I wanted a coffee, I said yes, thank you. He went to make it and was asked by some of the guys to make them one, he said no way ladies only! And a bit of funny sexist talk ensued, all nice and light hearted BTW.
I felt good.
I got back to my office eventually and was talking to my deputy, a woman I have known for years, and I was telling her about a presentation I have to make. It will be in front of people who knew 'him' and have never met me. I told her I was nervous and wondered what the reaction may be.
She told me that she had seen some photos from a few years back and that she realised that she had never known 'him' and didn't recognize 'him' as me.
She then said that she never really knew 'him' but that I was a very close friend and then gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Ten minutes later I got a phone call from an ex-student, who told me that she was 10 weeks pregnant but not to tell anyone as she was only telling her close female friends as the genetic tests hadn't come back as yet, but that she was so excited she had to tell a few friends.
She hadn't told 'him' of her previous pregnancy until she was the size of a blimp!
I feel so good and happy that I just wanted to share. This is, and can be a very tough path. But there is hope, there is love and there is acceptance.
So when the day is dark remember that there are very nice normal loving people in this world who will love and accept you as the person you are.
But do remember not to get your heel caught in the elevator shaft door well, otherwise eight guys will have a laugh as one hands you your shoe
!!
