Can you name successful transpeople? Also... any tips for success?

[JLT1]

Hi,

I know a few successful lawyers, scientists, programmers and engineers.(non-binary, MTF and FTM).

However, it's about being happy.  I know many of those as well..

Hugs,

Jen

[CarlyMcx]

You mean besides me?

I haven't lost a single friend or client since coming out, I've made lots of new friends and seen a lot of existing friendships deepened and strengthened by my transitioning and coming out.

That is how I measure success.  Take care of your relationships and all else will follow.

Hugs, Carly

[barbie]

Can you name transpeople who have been really successful despite people knowing they are trans? Are there any politicians or leaders who are trans? I only know actors, actresses, models and artists actually. Few athletes too. I am not saying that they aren't succesfull and inspirational (feel free to name them as well). You can mention people from any country. You can also talk about yourself and about your success. Do you feel you would have been more succesfull if you weren't trans and why?

I just started studying. It's a pretty harsh world in this field to be honest. I don't tell people I am trans but sometimes I get asked about it. I don't get misgendered anymore but some people notice that I am trans for some reason. I am really worried about my career. I think am already less respected because I am short and have a baby face even if people don't realize I am trans (or maybe they all do. Who knows?). I could get a really good job after I graduate but I am afraid that something will ruin it all.

Yeah, I feel really insecure here.

It would be nice to have someone to look up to. Someone who made it to the top despite all the challenges.

My performance at workplace and home did matter, and trans* issue was trivial. I teach in a university here in S. Korea with a tenure position.

Barbie~~

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[Nikkimn]

I founded a tech company and employ about 10 full time people and growing. I've also been mulling over running for Congress in 2020. I live in a progressive state with anti discrimination laws I'd like to see implemented on a national level. I think it's time we get some representation in Congress. My district has a misogamist anti LGBT rep who needs to be unseated.


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[Devlyn]

I'm 56, and after reading this, I find myself thinking:

"What can I tell this young person to make them understand that your pile of money is not your success."

And I can't say anything. We all need to learn the lesson on our own.

Hugs, Devlyn

The OP doesn't mention money, it talks about career success in fields other than entertainment. Having a successful career (or just having a job at all that so you can pay for your basic needs) is different than simply hoarding money.

In the OP's specific case, he seems to be worried more about being able to obtain fulfilling employment and earning the respect of his peers than making money.

And your advice to the OP is?

[Northern Star Girl]

I hold to the idea that success is not measured by position, wealth, fame, number of goats or cattle that one has, etc...
As I have stated in some of my other posts on various threads here on the Forums,
I measure my own success by my personal and lasting HAPPINESS
and I am indeed a HAPPY CAMPER !!!!

There are lots of definitions of being a successful person...
....transgender or not, the definition is exactly the same.

Achievement of an action within a specified period of time or within a specified parameter.
Success can also mean completing an objective or reaching a goal.

Accomplishing a desired aim or result.

Someone who is successful achieves what they intended to achieve.

Now, about successful transgender persons....   the bottom line is did they achieve their successful transition and are they now living in their "new" true to themselves identify now.  If they achieved that personal life goal they are indeed a successful transgender persons.

The above is just my opinion, based on my own experiences....   that is all.
Danielle

[MissyMay2.0]

Tips for success...Setting and achieving goals, preparation, planning, education, research, determination, persistence, being a big picture thinker, learning and moving forward from failures (you have the attitude that nothing will stop you from bouncing back and achieving what you have envisioned for yourself, so you learn and grow), networking, keeping a positive can do attitude, enjoying what you do, taking calculated risks, etc. are some of the key attributes of successful people. Another thing that is helpful is to have positive role models to learn from.

[Northern Star Girl]

@MissyMay2.0
Exactly correct, thank you for posting that list of success attributes.
Much of that can be found in one of my threads...
     "Positive Mindset... put away negativity"

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on all of this.
Hugs,
Danielle

Tips for success...Setting and achieving goals, preparation, planning, education, research, determination, persistence, learning and moving forward from failures (you have the attitude that nothing will stop you from bouncing back and achieving what you have envisioned for yourself, so you learn and grow), networking, keeping a positive can do attitude, enjoying what you do, taking calculated risks, etc. are some of the key attributes of successful people. Another thing that is helpful is to have positive role models to learn from.

[Lucca]

And your advice to the OP is?

Hmm... Maybe that came out more more pointed than I wanted. My point is, I've lived in an economically depressed area before, and had a lot of friends whose ability to obtain happiness and success was hampered by the fact that they lived just above the poverty level. The best higher education they could afford was the worst community college in the state, they could barely afford the equipment they needed to participate in their classes, and they couldn't afford to move out of the surrounding area, where both healthcare and law enforcement were of poor quality.

As a result, I've come to view the old "money can't buy happiness" adage with a grain of salt. It's true that an excess of money doesn't make someone happy, but having a certain basic amount helps a lot. Given that a common problem that trans people have is difficulty finding or keeping a job due to discrimination, I don't think that the advice "success isn't measured by money" is all that useful in this context.

[Northern Star Girl]

Hmm... Maybe that came out more more pointed than I wanted. My point is, I've lived in an economically depressed area before, and had a lot of friends whose ability to obtain happiness and success was hampered by the fact that they lived just above the poverty level. The best higher education they could afford was the worst community college in the state, they could barely afford the equipment they needed to participate in their classes, and they couldn't afford to move out of the surrounding area, where both healthcare and law enforcement were of poor quality.

As a result, I've come to view the old "money can't buy happiness" adage with a grain of salt. It's true that an excess of money doesn't make someone happy, but having a certain basic amount helps a lot. Given that a common problem that trans people have is difficulty finding or keeping a job due to discrimination, I don't think that the advice "success isn't measured by money" is all that useful in this context.

@Lucca
So very true... money is essential to live in our society and it is important to realize that an excess is not needed to enjoy life, be successful, and to be happy. 

Just as long as we can pay our bills, put food on our table, have a roof over our head and perhaps enjoy just a few luxuries we can indeed live a happy life.  What is more important in living successful lives is the other lives that we touch with our kindness, friendship, encouragement, charity, and support as we are able to provide.  The old biblical saying of "It is more blessed to give that to receive" is the operative phrase for all of this.

Being successful means being HAPPY in our life.
Just my opinion, that is all.
Danielle

[Sam1066]

While I can't name them without outing both myself and them, I know of two.

One (MtF) is very high up in a fortune 50 tech company, like 2 or 3 steps from the CEO and helping direct future R&D efforts in a "strategic planning" like role before they even finished college. They aren't out about being trans and actively try to hide/suppress it, though some people do kind-of figure it out on their own.

Another I worked with a while back at a different tech company (also fortune 50) (MtF as well) transitioned while in their role, it was in a manufacturing R&D job doing supply chain management (working with outside suppliers, so a public face). They had zero issues from transitioning in their job, married a cis-male co-worker they started dating post transition. They managed their group, and were an absolute pleasure to work with. While there was some chatter/gossip about it while I worked there (water-cooler talk) no one doubted their current gender and especially not their capability professionally.

[VickyS]

I'm 56, and after reading this, I find myself thinking:

"What can I tell this young person to make them understand that your pile of money is not your success."

And I can't say anything. We all need to learn the lesson on our own.

Hugs, Devlyn

THIS!!!  I learned this and it was a hard lesson! Sure money can help sometimes but it can bring more problems than it solves.  My boss for example is a very lonely socio-path who is a multi millionaire and very ruthless in business but lives alone in a huge mansion.   

Having said that, the only other trans person I know of that's had more than a modicum of success in her career is Fay Presto (look her up on google).  She's a friend of a good friend of mine in the entertainment industry.   

That's not to say I don't know many trans people that are successful, it's just that I don't know many trans people at all!! 

[barbie]

Tips for success...Setting and achieving goals, preparation, planning, education, research, determination, persistence, being a big picture thinker, learning and moving forward from failures (you have the attitude that nothing will stop you from bouncing back and achieving what you have envisioned for yourself, so you learn and grow), networking, keeping a positive can do attitude, enjoying what you do, taking calculated risks, etc. are some of the key attributes of successful people. Another thing that is helpful is to have positive role models to learn from.

Indeed. You summarized so well. I add just one thing: regular exercise. Running outdoors has kept me in strong mentality and positive attitude to myself and other people. Sometimes hard and depressing moments come, but exercise helps me overcome them.

Recently I started biking, but I fell down while shifting to the sidewalk from the street, damaging a part of the bike. But I managed to finish riding around my hometown, an island. The bike is now under repair. I think I have overcome two things in this case.



barbie~~

[SeptagonScars]

I really don't think being trans (or being cis) decides if you can become successful or not. Becoming successful in life is difficult for anyone. But also, what constitutes as success is not the same for everyone. I'd consider any person who lives a happy life that they're satisfied with to be successful, whether they're a politician or a baker, married or single, have kids or no kids, live in an apartment or a big fancy house, etc. So yeah, I could list a lot of successful trans people.

Back in my transition I was the most inspired by Buck Angel, because that's the field of work that I personally want to succeed in, but that's not gonna be everyone's cup of tea. It's not his fame or his wallet size I strive for, but his passion for life and managing it well with that career. Luckily for me, that kind of field has a place for all sorts of body types, trans and cis, so why not also detrans. I can't see why not. But in no way do I expect it to be an easy road getting there.

I don't think I have much of an upper hand for being cis, considering my transition history and the detransition journey ahead of me. I'm an unconventional woman now. At this point I do not consider myself successful in any way. In fact I consider myself kinda exceptionally unlucky in life. It's been rough, and it continues to be. But I know I have the potential to succeed in life just like everyone else.

What success looks like for me I'm not sure yet, but I think it's something along the lines of finding love, becoming independent enough to feel "I got a good hang of things now", living in a decent place I don't hate (maybe suburbs of a big city), being able to make my own money even if it's not a lot, doing things I love doing, being inspirational to others, just enjoying life and feeling alright with myself. I do not want kids at any point, just a loving partner of unknown/either gender, and cats. My career of choice is really not about money, but about doing something I feel passionate about and that I think would be meaningful for me. That it comes with a huge amount of social stigma and legal complications doesn't and won't stop me. And that's how I know I can do it.

My advice to you (OP) is: stop comparing yourself to others, find your own strength and fire within yourself and don't stop trying. I know it's easier said than done, but absolutely possible. I know it's a cliché, but just believing it's possible will get you far.