In too deep, leading the double life

[Shauna89]

So long story short, I currently work in the auto industry in the Bible Belt, and somehow managed to get to corporate status at a pretty young age. But I know this industry is absolutely against anything LGBT so I have to keep a lot to myself at work.
In my free time I study and write code, build websites and would like to make moves to starting my own front end development co., but part of me feels bad that I'm essentially not being myself and lying to them daily and leading them on that Ill take over when senior staff retires. But transition cost a lot of money and the pay is good, so seemed kinda dumb to not take the promotions.
So I guess the question is am I going about this the wrong way, should I really care about people who'd write me off the instant they found out who I really am, but on the flip side pretending to be someone I'm not is becoming increasingly stressful.
I don't know I guess its just been weighing on my mind a lot lately.

[Dani]

Shauna89,

There have been many reported cases of people who announced their intent to transition and lost their employment.
Economic security is so important many trans people take different jobs just to facilitate their transition. Also, working in a friendly environment will make things a lot easier for you.

I fully understand the stress of being pre-everything. There are many things you can do pre-RLT, such as counseling and beard electrolysis that take several months or even years. While you are doing that stuff, you could be working on a plan to get yourself in a more understanding environment.

[Stevi]

Shauna,

They are your employers.  You owe them nothing more than your best efforts to do the job you are being paid to do.  Everything else about you is none of their business.  If you wish to give more, in the form of information regarding your inner person, that is up to you.  If they have not earned your trust so that information revelation would do you no harm, then any repercussions of not knowing is on them.

Stephanie

[Dena]

I feel you are doing nothing wrong as long as you are willing to continue with the company after you come out. Losing a job because you are trying to become healthy is a company decision and not yours. This is something I faced for many years. Will I lose my job if they learn of my past? I made sure the decision was on their shoulders as I attempted to do the job the best I could. It will be their loss if they feel you should be terminated for being transgender.

[cheryl reeves]

I've lived a double life for 39 yrs. My employers and the public see what I want them to see and nothing more,my private life is my business and no one else's. This is how I survived.