The purpose of this letter is to notify **** ***, my employer, of personal situation that I am dealing with. As my employer, I feel that it is appropriate to notify you of this personal situation. I have been with **** *** for four years and as you know, I take my job very personally, and wish to remain employed by **** *** for years to come. What I must tell you is very personal and only known to select few friends and family members. I am writing this both to inform you of a significant change in my life and to ask for your patience, understanding and support, which I would treasure.
I have a gender identity problem that I have struggled with my entire life. I have had professional therapy and counseling regarding this and have been diagnosed as a transsexual. I have felt imprisoned in a body that doesn't match my mind, and this has caused me much despair and loneliness.
I cannot begin to describe the shame and the suffering that I have lived with in keeping this secret. Toward that end, I am beginning the transition to being a woman. I am only at the beginning of this journey and do not understand much of it myself, but deal with it on a day to day basis. As you have been aware, I have started to make some physical changes. So far, they have only been the fact that I have been going through electrolysis to get rid of my beard. This has resulted in no longer shaving and having to grow my beard out prior to removing it. I have also pierced my ears. I also have begun taking female hormones, which will make some changes over a long period of time.
I realize that this is very confusing for people to understand. In truth, I have lived with this every day of my life, and I don't even understand this. I have tried my whole life by doing whatever it takes to please everyone around me, and to do the right thing to make others happy. Luckily, my family has accepted me for who I really am. I have to do this in order to make myself happy and for my own peace of mind and to end the agony in my soul.
I have not decided yet when I will come out in public or on the job as a woman. This may take place in months or years. I will advise **** *** of my ongoing status during this difficult and confusing time. Due to the fact that I would like this to remain a private matter as of this time, I only wish my immediate supervisors and management to be aware of this. This matter is not for further disclosure at this time. I do not want this information to be passed along to my fellow co-workers at this time. I also understand that **** *** has a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Knowing this, I fully expect that this will not affect my employment status or career opportunities.
For now, I am still (male self) at work, and I expect to be treated with the same courtesy, and respect.
Through it all, I have learned that life is an adventure, and I would like to think that the best is yet to come. I hope we can all enjoy it together.
Sincerely,
I did not receive a response for a day and a half after my supervisors and Human Resources read this email.
My supervisors boss finally called me and told me that they were impressed with the level of trust that I was displaying by telling them about this personal issue. He also assured me that I would not be treated any differently, nor should I expect to receive any special treatment or consideration in advancement either.
I was satisfied with this answer.
