Jobs.

[Ryno]

I have one already, one where I'm pretty much forced to be female because they only hire female cashiers and male stock boys... and guess what I am? I'm a cashier. They're sexist, so I'd imagine their transphobic, too. The owner is very, very right wing. I know for a fact I have plenty of friends and community members to back me up and I can get in touch with a trans-friendly lawyer, I have a lot of knowledge and confidence myself. So some day, I do intend to come out and transition at this workplace. It won't be easy, but it won't be impossible.

Regardless, I've come to the conclusion that I need a second job. Jobs are hard to come by in this conservative, snobbish city I live in. It's pretty much a dead-end city, the majority of the people in my age group have their eyes set on bigger, better places when they're looking for a career. With that said, even if I get a job, it's going to be hard to keep it being what I am.

I've applied as Ryan Dawson to the Beer Store. It's not my legal name. I was informed by someone seen as a prominent leader in the trans community of my city, who wouldn't knowingly lie to me about things like this., that one can apply, in Canada, under any alias as long as the SIN one applies with is correct. The only issue I see with this is that, considering I'm not the manliest-looking guy (I'm not on testosterone yet) someone might figure things out. The Beer Store tends to collect very attractive, strong young lads. I mean, I friggin love beer, and I'm a tough little guy...

I guess I just want to double-check from any other Ontarian who might know whether or not applying under an alias is actually legal and allowed. As well, maybe some good stories, advice, suggestions, whatever about coming out in the workplace. I've read the Wiki posted on Susan's about coming out at work but it seems really overwhelming...

Thanks everyone

[Skys_the_limit]

So hey man, sorry about your situation at your workplace. I hate to say I cannot really help you since I live in Texas, US, but I can reach out to you and let you know I know how you feel. I actually work at a company that is extremely Christian based, and the owner is super conservative. I told one of my co-workers that I am very close with and she cautioned me that I might honestly lose my job due to the way our boss views our customers. So, as sad as it is I have no choice but to remain "female" at work, and then just change and stuff out of school, and it drives me insane to be there as a woman, I've just become to hate my birth name!!!
( sorry ranting )
But sometimes you gotta just take it until you can get your surgery and can change your official documents...
Sorry man my heart goes out to you.

[some ftm guy]

I'm sorry too man, I'm in the same situation. can't come out at work, at least not yet. i plan to just get a new or 2nd job soon anyway until i can afford to just leave this whole county to transition further in a big city. i don't think the resteraunt i work at is based with any religion, I'd consider them at least somewhat open minded since about 6 people that used to work there are either gay or bi. I'd be the first trans and i don't like being the first. having to talk about this to the person who makes my schedules and pays me is very unsettling of a thought. sorry i don't really have any advice either. just saying i empathize. i wish you the best of luck though.

[Devin87]

Having a job that won't let you transition sucks.  I know.  I'm working at a Catholic school right now and, even though I'm not Catholic, one of the parts of our contract is we can't do anything publically that goes against the teachings of the Church so as not to cause scandal.  So here I am stuck pretending to be a good little Catholic girl *cringe*.  I'm even afraid to cut my hair short like I'd want it for fear everyone would think I was a lesbian.

But as an elementary school teacher, I'm afraid I'm going to run into this kind of stuff no matter where I'm working.  It's not a good field for a transperson.  People are very particular and very vocal about who teaches their kids.  I'm considering going to gradschool after next year, maybe in San Francisco, which is considered one of the most trans-friendly cities in the country (or so I've heard) and I think that would be the perfect time to transition and maybe get into a field that a little more trans-friendly-- still in education, but not as a classroom teacher for 7-year-olds.