So I'm out as a Transgender on a floating oil drilling rig

[Jennifer.L]

So I'm out as a Transgender on a floating oil drilling rig.
https://www.google.com/search?q=discoverer+enterprise&oq=discoverer&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.4684j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

I've been working on this boat for about the last 2 years.  I came out here, on a help crew and got picked up for a 3 week rotations. So I get half the year off.  Sorry I always have to brag a bit.  But heres the big news.  I've out of the closet!  Every one that needs to know knows and I'm jsut so happy!

I was afraid that at least a minority would have really freaked out.  I really believed some one might try to hurt me.  Most of the people I work with are, well somewhat red neck and frankly sexist.  I have been trying to tell people for months and when I finally worked up the courage.  I was told that every one already knew and I got responses like "To each his own"  and "I don't care"  and "Man you have bigger balls then anyone I know, good for you."   


That was a lot of stress for nothing xD     

[Cindy]

Hi Jennifer,
I was wondering how you were going. Sounds as if the fears were unfounded?

Oh you look hot BTW!!!!!!

[Skittles]

OK I'm jealous! Congrats and good on you kiddo! Hug. Joann

[Jessica Merriman]

As a former Flight Medic with a little drilling platform experience "You did what"? I know the kind of people you talk about and how they usually act about stuff like this. In my book your photo is between courageous and supercool!! I am sooo proud of you girl! You are definitely one of the few who the younger one's should look up to as I know it was not easy to do. WOW! Here is a "BIG HUG" to start your day with. The way you look though I figure you get a TON of hugs a day anyway. Go girl!!! 

[Dahlia]

  people I work with are, well somewhat red neck and frankly sexist.

............................

I was told that every one already knew.  and I got responses like "To each his own"  and "I don't care"  and "Man you have bigger balls then anyone I know, good for you." 

[Jessica Merriman]

Huh???

Jennifer didn't call anybody anything.

[Katie]

I am going to take a different perspective. First of all if someone wants to be a trans person then perhaps it makes some sense to tell people that "need to know". Crap they can even tell everyone if they wish.

On the other hand if someone is a woman then there is no "need to know" about her past. As a matter of fact she does and says the same things any woman would do and she does not walk around telling people she is different. It is kind of akin to someone with a disability. Take Gary Buldorf(Radar on MASH), or Hayrold Lloyd (famous silent movie actor). Both of these men have either missing fingers or malformed hands. In thier movies they mask these aspects of themselves and never discuss something that would make them seen as different. They carry on like any other person.

Katie

[Claire (formerly Magdalena)]

Jennifer, yay! So happy for you. I've worked with those kind of people too, you're a braver person than I. I'm so glad it worked out well, you give me hope (and some courage) to tell the people I know.

[Eva Marie]

I don't see where she is being prejudiced. The men that do oil rig work tend to be exactly how Jennifer portrayed them. It's a very tough, macho, physically demanding work environment and the men on the rigs usually weed out the people that aren't like them very quickly. Since a lot of rigs are in the gulf of Mexico you do wind up with a lot of workers from the same region with certain strongly held beliefs and customs. They are often called "rednecks" and they are proud of that term; it's not a term of derision in the south. It's more like a badge of honor, a way of life. They are rough and crude but they would also give you the shirt off of their back if you needed it. In short they are usually very good people once you get in with them.

What Jennifer did was extremely brave.

[Jamie D]

So I'm out as a Transgender on a floating oil drilling rig.
https://www.google.com/search?q=discoverer+enterprise&oq=discoverer&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.4684j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

I've been working on this boat for about the last 2 years.  I came out here, on a help crew and got picked up for a 3 week rotations. So I get half the year off.  Sorry I always have to brag a bit.  But heres the big news.  I've out of the closet!  Every one that needs to know knows and I'm jsut so happy!

I was afraid that at least a minority would have really freaked out.  I really believed some one might try to hurt me.  Most of the people I work with are, well somewhat red neck and frankly sexist.  I have been trying to tell people for months and when I finally worked up the courage.  I was told that every one already knew and I got responses like "To each his own"  and "I don't care"  and "Man you have bigger balls then anyone I know, good for you."   


That was a lot of stress for nothing xD   

I knew I liked you Jennifer!  (Other than being sorta crazy like me  ).

When I was in college I worked summers for Global Marine, and also part time in the old headquarters office in L.A.

[Erin Brianne]

Congratulations and hugs to you Jennifer.  I never could have outed myself to the crew on a drill ship.  I spent several months on the sister ship, Discoverer Deep Seas.  I know first hand the atmosphere out there and it can be rough sometimes.
She is not being demeaning to anyone with her terms of redneck or sexist.  The majority of oil rig workers are country boys who pride themselves with their culture.  I have been called one many a day and never took offense to it

[Jennifer.L]

Thank you so much for the support!   I couldn't have gotten this far without you guys.  heck I used the "Guide to Coming Out almost word for word. 

Ok so, most of the people here, knew me when I had jsut started transitioning.  And it's kind of had for someone that knows you the whole time to see you as a girl.  And on the job we wear really loose cloths, the cut of fire retardant cloths isn't very flattering.  That made it harder.  But come my next go home day on the 11th the hold outs won't have a choice but to see me as truly female.  ^.^  I have the cutest out fit, that I plan on wearing home. 


In the past a couple fo things happened out here that made me think the people would respond badly.  At one point we got a cig girl on my crew, Tamara.  At the same time, we got a new guy.  The guy was useless, and she wasn't.  But since he talked sports and made buddy buddy, my coworker overlooked his constant screwups and tried to kick her off the crew.  I got so pissed off.  Basicly I ended up defending her aggressively and training her as fast as I could so they would be have an excuse.  Now about a year later she is sought after by anyone thats worked with her, and hes fired.  So I guess it all worked out, but they would not have given her a chance if I hadn't stopped them.

We have a coordinator back on shore, Sammy whos a lesbian.  And she is always telling me how hard it is to find a crew for a girl. 


Jsut some demographic info.
Over half the crew of 200+ is from Mississippi and Louisiana, Live in a town of less then 10,000 people and owns 3+ guns, a 4 wheeler AND a has boat.  Thats not an exaggeration.   If anything I'm understating it.

But I'm not brave.  I'm desperate. You know?  I love what I do and I can't imagine doing a  muggle job.  And I have to be my self to be happy.  So all I can really do is try.  If I fail it won't be worse the the pain of hiding, and hey if thing go bad, I can get mad about it!

[Jennifer.L]

I spent several months on the sister ship, Discoverer Deep Seas. 

What where you doing on the Deep Seas?

[Kiwi4Eva]

  Jennifer you look amazing for someone who has come "out" and at the age of 29.

I would expect someone who looks as good as you do to be much younger and have transitioned much sooner in life.

Good on you.

I wish you the best in life 

[Erin Brianne]

I worked for a company doing a/c and refrigeration.   We went out for a job scheduled for 5 days and ended up staying 3 months while they were in transit.  They just kept finding things for us to do to keep us there

[Cindy]

You girls are awesome!!!!!

[oliviapril]

congrats to you.
i am inspired by you i just begin my journey.
thank you
cheers

[brionnaclaire]

So I'm out as a Transgender on a floating oil drilling rig.
https://www.google.com/search?q=discoverer+enterprise&oq=discoverer&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.4684j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

I've been working on this boat for about the last 2 years.  I came out here, on a help crew and got picked up for a 3 week rotations. So I get half the year off.  Sorry I always have to brag a bit.  But heres the big news.  I've out of the closet!  Every one that needs to know knows and I'm jsut so happy!

I was afraid that at least a minority would have really freaked out.  I really believed some one might try to hurt me.  Most of the people I work with are, well somewhat red neck and frankly sexist.  I have been trying to tell people for months and when I finally worked up the courage.  I was told that every one already knew and I got responses like "To each his own"  and "I don't care"  and "Man you have bigger balls then anyone I know, good for you."   


That was a lot of stress for nothing xD   

Congrats Jennifer! You get my very first post on Susan's! And you look gorgeous!

[AwishForXX]

I AM SO HAPPY for you Jenny, and a little jealous, but mostly just happy.  A whole lot of worry over nothing.

Colleen