Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: LisaJ on December 11, 2015, 03:50:42 PM Return to Full Version

Title: I had to do a change
Post by: LisaJ on December 11, 2015, 03:50:42 PM
I had to do a change,a new mechanic to work on my vehicles.My last mechanic started to treat me wrong after I started to live as female 2 years ago and I had enough.It was two weeks ago he said that he does not want to work on my vehicles anymore.Luckily my co worker Amy recommended her brother to me and said he is very friendly to transgendered people.She was right,dropped off my 2007 Impala for an oil leak to him to fix and he treated me right.Shook his hand when I picked it up and said I am welcomed in now.I have so much trust in him now and going back to him.I liked the price of the bill too,said it was an oil filter adaptor gasket that was leaking.I saw the respect from him too and he sees me as a normal person.
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: sparrow on December 11, 2015, 03:59:38 PM
That's so gross... I'm sorry you had to deal with that.  I'm glad to hear you found somebody though.
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: LisaJ on December 11, 2015, 04:09:12 PM
It was horrible and her brother is honest.Amy's brother believes in treating people the same and this includes the GLBT community.Plus he saw startings of a coolant leak and fixed that,split upper radiator hose.I told him if there is something else wrong with it,fix it with no questions asked.I depend on my vehicles and want them fixed right the 1st time.
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: Becca on December 11, 2015, 04:53:01 PM
I don't understand why a mechanic would choose to turn away work..he must be really rich and doesn't need business and be happy with the bad rep he will get.  Surely a car is a car regardless, or are our cars different in some way?
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: diane 2606 on December 11, 2015, 04:59:08 PM
For those who have yet to discover it, auto mechanics treat men and women differently. I was never a whiz with a wrench, but my occupation provided me in-depth knowledge about how many things work, including internal combustion engines and the accessories attached thereto. Obviously I changed mechanics at transition, but it was like suddenly I got a case of the stupids and was ripe for being cheated.

Word of caution.
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: Becca on December 11, 2015, 05:07:53 PM
Maybe it is good I don't know about the inner workings of an internal combution engine then. ;)

I usually just deal with the receptionist,  "here's the key, I'll pick it up later" kindof thing... I  go to big shops where the mechanics have no idea who owns the vehicle.

It is good to know though to take care when dealing with the mechanics themselves.
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: chance on December 11, 2015, 06:49:22 PM
I was a mechanics apprentice for several years.  In my experience the environment I went to school in and worked in were much more vested in the gender binary and adherence to the socially prescribed roles, characteristics, etc. 

Most of the guys I worked with were nice to me and treated me like they treated the other guys for the most part.  Things like leaving me to figure out how to do my own work, not excessively asking or doing "helpful" things for me which is actually an insult I that situation.  But impatient knowledge when I asked about problems I was having. 

But for people in general those I encountered in he automotive field do not want to let go of the comfortable gender norms.


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Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: Ms Grace on December 12, 2015, 05:36:36 PM
It seems odd to me that some people still subscribe to the "We don't want business or money from your kind" mentality. Glad you found someone else!
Title: Re: I had to do a change
Post by: bobbisue on December 12, 2015, 08:05:01 PM
 I have worked as a mechanic and did have a transgender client who was treated with respect by all of the staff  this was long before I came out to myself  I expect to be treated with respect at any establishment that wants my business If you dont like my looks or lifestyle smile and shut up

  bobisue :D