Community Conversation => Transitioning => Coming out of the closet => Topic started by: Emjay on November 18, 2015, 03:54:59 PM Return to Full Version
Title: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: Emjay on November 18, 2015, 03:54:59 PM
Post by: Emjay on November 18, 2015, 03:54:59 PM
Since I've not posted about my coming out in a few weeks I thought an update was in order since it's happening today/early morning tomorrow:
I've been working with HR and management at my workplace for a few months now on my official coming out publicly. I was due to make my announcement on November 5th but that was delayed as my local HR department wanted a member of our corporate diversity office to be present to help facilitate everything and they had to postpone due to a last minute schedule conflict.
Sooooooo, we're rescheduled for tomorrow morning at 5 AM. I work midnight shift so that's near the end of my work day. I'm scheduled to make my announcement to my staff, then there will be a larger meeting with other members of management/team leads/union officials/etc. followed by a diversity training session.
As of right now, I'm only making my announcement to the people in my department and HR and the diversity staff are handling the rest. I've opted to not be there for at least part of the larger meeting because I want people to not feel uncomfortable asking questions if I am in the room. My thinking is I'd rather people be able to get any questions or concerns out now rather than later so they can be addressed.
This is pretty much it for me, by this time tomorrow I'm planning to be out at work and publicly on social media.
To say I'm freaking out would be an understatement, I'm sure everything will work out but it's still driving me crazy! My employer has been incredibly supportive throughout this process and I can't begin to describe how thankful I am for that.
Now it's up to me....... :)
I've been working with HR and management at my workplace for a few months now on my official coming out publicly. I was due to make my announcement on November 5th but that was delayed as my local HR department wanted a member of our corporate diversity office to be present to help facilitate everything and they had to postpone due to a last minute schedule conflict.
Sooooooo, we're rescheduled for tomorrow morning at 5 AM. I work midnight shift so that's near the end of my work day. I'm scheduled to make my announcement to my staff, then there will be a larger meeting with other members of management/team leads/union officials/etc. followed by a diversity training session.
As of right now, I'm only making my announcement to the people in my department and HR and the diversity staff are handling the rest. I've opted to not be there for at least part of the larger meeting because I want people to not feel uncomfortable asking questions if I am in the room. My thinking is I'd rather people be able to get any questions or concerns out now rather than later so they can be addressed.
This is pretty much it for me, by this time tomorrow I'm planning to be out at work and publicly on social media.
To say I'm freaking out would be an understatement, I'm sure everything will work out but it's still driving me crazy! My employer has been incredibly supportive throughout this process and I can't begin to describe how thankful I am for that.
Now it's up to me....... :)
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: WorkingOnThomas on November 19, 2015, 07:37:49 AM
Post by: WorkingOnThomas on November 19, 2015, 07:37:49 AM
You'll do fine.
Thinking of you,
Thomas
Thinking of you,
Thomas
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: ToniB on November 19, 2015, 08:12:03 AM
Post by: ToniB on November 19, 2015, 08:12:03 AM
Best of luck .You will feel so much better though when You can present as Your true self
Toni
Toni
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: Emjay on November 19, 2015, 01:38:21 PM
Post by: Emjay on November 19, 2015, 01:38:21 PM
Thank you Thomas and Toni!
Everything went great! The reaction I got was incredible from most of my guys and I'm so thankful for that. Several came to me after my announcement and shook my hand, some offered words of encouragement.
I don't know what I was expecting, but after everything was done things just felt so.......... normal....... Activity in the plant continued, the world was still spinning..... Just another day, a really good day. :)
Everything went great! The reaction I got was incredible from most of my guys and I'm so thankful for that. Several came to me after my announcement and shook my hand, some offered words of encouragement.
I don't know what I was expecting, but after everything was done things just felt so.......... normal....... Activity in the plant continued, the world was still spinning..... Just another day, a really good day. :)
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: DianneM on November 19, 2015, 01:47:19 PM
Post by: DianneM on November 19, 2015, 01:47:19 PM
Congratulations Emjay that is wonderful news I'm really happy for you!!
Hugs
Dianne
xo
Hugs
Dianne
xo
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: ToniB on November 20, 2015, 01:46:48 AM
Post by: ToniB on November 20, 2015, 01:46:48 AM
That's how things should be .hopefully the people will see that You are a happier more relaxed person and interactions with other People will get easier they certainly have for ME
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: Chrissy1979 on November 20, 2015, 01:51:15 AM
Post by: Chrissy1979 on November 20, 2015, 01:51:15 AM
This inspires us all with hope, thank you for sharing :)
Title: Re: After a short delay, today is my day
Post by: Emjay on November 20, 2015, 02:37:31 AM
Post by: Emjay on November 20, 2015, 02:37:31 AM
Thank you all, it has been an amazing day!
Just to update: As of 10 hours ago I can officially say that I am 100% out of the closet!
From my coming out at work and how well it went to my coming out on social media this afternoon, which also went AMAZINGLY well. I have the best group of guys at work and some really great friends.
I guess I can say that I truly am full time now. I have zero reason or want to ever present male again and I have no plans to!
I posted a version of my speech I gave my guys at work on Facebook this afternoon and was met with 100% acceptance! So far I have 28 encouraging comments, 28 likes, several PMs and ZERO friends lost. I think that's by far a record for anything I've ever posted there. I'll be changing my name on there tomorrow or the next day and can't wait for my official name change hearing which is scheduled for December 7th. I'm excited to finally not be embarrassed to use my bank card again!
Such a wonderful day, much love to all of you.
~Meg
Just to update: As of 10 hours ago I can officially say that I am 100% out of the closet!
From my coming out at work and how well it went to my coming out on social media this afternoon, which also went AMAZINGLY well. I have the best group of guys at work and some really great friends.
I guess I can say that I truly am full time now. I have zero reason or want to ever present male again and I have no plans to!
I posted a version of my speech I gave my guys at work on Facebook this afternoon and was met with 100% acceptance! So far I have 28 encouraging comments, 28 likes, several PMs and ZERO friends lost. I think that's by far a record for anything I've ever posted there. I'll be changing my name on there tomorrow or the next day and can't wait for my official name change hearing which is scheduled for December 7th. I'm excited to finally not be embarrassed to use my bank card again!
Such a wonderful day, much love to all of you.
~Meg