Finding a place to live

[AlwaysLauren]

A little bit of background: I'm 22, have been working for around 6 months, and have been on hormones for maybe 4 months. I currently live with roommates who don't know about me, but it looks like I may be moving in the next few months. If I move, I would like to present as female, except for when I go to work. Eventually transitioning is going to cost me my job, but for right now, I need the money and don't have many options.

My question is, how should I go about looking for houses? I'm worried if I check out apartments presenting as female I'll simply be treated politely and never get called back, but on the other hand, if I present as male and then move in and start living as a woman, it seems like a bit of a bait and switch.

Although my passability has improved since I started HRT, I'm far too big and still far too masculine to pass 100%, and my voice just isn't that great. What can I do?

[tekla]

California law should cover you and that exact situation in housing and jobs.

[AlwaysLauren]

California law should cover you and that exact situation in housing and jobs.

Really? Jobs as well? I read through my employment paperwork really closly, and it said they did not descriminate based on sexual orientation, but it said nothing about gender.

But even if I am legally protected, I don't see how I have any recourse if the landlord simply descides not to call me back. I don't expect anyone to say "I won't rent to you because you're a transsexual". I expect people to simply ignore me, or come up with some legal reason not to rent to me.

Legal protection is a wonderful thing, but it seems like it only stops someone from stating out loud their real reasons.

[GypsyKaren]

I think that you should present yourself as how you live now , I would think that most landlords would be happy to have you as a good tenant who pays the rent on time and not care about the change.

Karen Starlene

[Christine Eryn]

I'm worried if I check out apartments presenting as female I'll simply be treated politely and never get called back, but on the other hand, if I present as male and then move in and start living as a woman, it seems like a bit of a bait and switch.

Ahh, I wouldn't think that's the case. You could always have somebody else drop off a check, or mail it to the landlord if need be. If something like a toilet gets stopped up or the heater needs to be turned on, I'm sure the serviceman or house owner won't care who's there at the time.