Waiting for the other shoe(s) to drop...

[Hazumu]

Well, today came and went.

Yesterday was SUPPOSED to be the day the Global Hawk aircraft took off from here, flew around for a while, and then landed back here --  but for the crappy flying weather.  It was pushed off 'till today -- same day as the section chief had asked me to come out to the entire section at the end of our section management meeting.  I hoped for more bad weather, so I wouldn't have to give my presentation and then run to catch a plane, so to speak.

At ten o'clock we broke and I checked the tower.  "Yep! we're gonna' launch!"  Dang!  I grabbed the second draft letters and, when everybody was assembled again after the break, the section chief turned the meeting over to me.

I used the letter as my notes, and spoke extemporaneously.  I asked my coworkers to be part of my support network.

At some point I think I mentioned that transsexuality and homosexuality are different because the question/comment I got back was "I thought they were the same!"  I explained that sex is about the 'plumbing' and what you do with it, and gender is everything else that makes male and female different.

I then passed out the letter and said that I would welcome any and all questions, and that amongst our group I hoped that the topic of transsexuality would not be taboo.  The section chief wrapped up by saying the division chief was aware of the situation and he had said that job performance and proper comportment while on the job were the only criteria they would judge all workers by, and that how a worker behaved outside of work was nobody's business but the worker in question.

I grabbed my camera and tripod and hurried to the car.

The take-off and landing were successful.  At the media event I chatted with the division chief (the one mentioned by the section chief earlier,) while waiting for them to tow in the bird.  Afterwards, I had yet another conversation with the graphics artist about the state of the section.

The section chief mentioned that some of the other members still had questions, though.  I guess I'll deal with those shoes when they drop.

Karen

[heatherrose]

Karen,

I am so glad that "coming out" has gone smoothly for you, thus far.
I was scared s.....ss of losing my carreer before I "came out", Jan. of this year.
So I can imagine how your knees must have been knocking.
It has been suprisingly smooth going, with the exception of losing all my old "friends"
and the right to see my grand children because
I wont "take the dress off", so to speak.

I hope the best for you in the future.
Always Love,
Heather Rose

[cindianna_jones]

Well, now it is out Karen.  I'm sure that there will be less gossip about you now.  What you did was a brave thing to be sure.  I give you much credit there dear.  This is good news. 

Cindi

[tinkerbell]

Congrats Karen,

Coming out at work must be one of the most difficult things to do since you are dealing with people with whom you spend most of your days, weeks, months, years, life.

I am sure you'll answer plenty of questions in the following days...patience ma cherie, patience....


tinkerbell

[Steph]

I'm so glad that it went well for you Karen.  So there's another hurdle out of the way... so onto the next.  For me my life got so much easier after i came out at work, I hope that your coming out is every bit as successful.

Soft landings hon.

Steph

[brina]

Hiee Karen,

  From the sounds of it, it went very well indeed for you. I am happy for you . I expect you will get a number of questions over time, and so the education process begins. On the other hand the speculation will all but cease along with most if not all derogatory gossip.

Byee,
  Brina

[Dennis]

Congrats Karen. Sounds like you rose to the occasion admirably.

Dennis

[Sandy]

Like they say, Karen, "Any landing you can walk away from..."

It sounds like your landing was soft indeed!  Congratulations!

-Sandy

[Chaunte]

Karen,

Congratulations on having two First Flights in a single day - Global Hawk's and yours!

I'm glad that you were able to go 'wheels up' on coming out with your work group.  I know it was nerve-wracking.  Maybe having to go photograph Global Hawk was a god thing - it may have given everyone a chance to catch their breath with the news and level out their wings.

Chaunte

[HelenW]

Wow, Karen!  This is certainly a wonderful piece of news!

I hope that this will become a non-issue by Friday.

Hugs & Smiles,
helen

[Hazumu]

Thank you all for your kind words and congratulations.  And now for the latest news..

Today, I found that I could just be myself.  My female voice (such as it is right now,) came naturally, whereas before the 'guy' voice would dominate and it took an act of will to quash it.  Several people were off today -- those that were there behaved as if nothing unusual had happened.

My therapist said that when you come out to someone, if they're going to take it badly, 90% of the time they will tell you they're fine with it and then about two weeks later you will see them behaving -- differently -- toward you.  Ideally (hope for the best) I won't see any change from today two weeks or so from now.  But (plan for the worst,) I have to consider that someone may find their transphobia staring them in the face, and I'll have to figure out how to deal with it.

I did mention when I gave my presentation that each person would not perceive this event/revelation for what it is, but rather for what they are.  I delivered this in as calm and matter-of-fact by-the-way tone as I could. 

For those who have a strong religious/spiritual/Christian foundation, I found this website with several articles that defend TG/TS against the onslaught of bible-wielding prejudiced so-and-so's (plan for the worst.)  I hope I don't have to use the bookmark (hope for the best.)

But (hope for the best,) I hope that today will be the norm, and I'll just be able to get on wit my job and life...

<whew>

Karen

[cindianna_jones]

Karen, whatever you do, never get caught up in an attempt to discuss this in religious context.  If the subject comes up, just say that you truly mean no offense to anyone and that you are under professional medical care.  Leave it at that.  You will never win a religious discussion.  At best you will only upset the person you are talking to.

What I have suggested lets the person know that you are no threat to them but you are working with professionals. This has a thread of legal implication.  It is not an idle threat. Rather, it is a statement of fact which can not be disputed.  Do your best to be polite but end the religious discussion before it ever has a chance to start.  Believe me Karen.  I tried very hard to argue my perspective with my own church leaders, some whom I dearly admired.  The only person that you can ever convince is yourself.

Cindi