Community Conversation => Transitioning => Coming out of the closet => Topic started by: Denise on November 04, 2016, 11:53:59 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Came out at work (large corporation) this week
Post by: Denise on November 04, 2016, 11:53:59 AM
Post by: Denise on November 04, 2016, 11:53:59 AM
I would like to share my experience with coming out at work this week (well sorta).
I had to tell HR about the Gender Dysphoria (see other posts I've made in late Sept or early October.) Then when I finally came back to work (after 4 weeks of being out with no explanation to my co-workers) I came out to my manager.
My manager is a "kind" and "laid back" woman who is thoughtful so I expected a calm and cool conversation. It was, but it was also emotional with tears on both sides. The tears came when we started talking about my marriage and how that may work out. We talked about telling the rest of the team and ended up scheduling a team meeting about a week away due to vacations.
The meeting was held this Tuesday. There were four people who didn't know and two that did (my manager and me.) I started out as usual when I come out to people... I've been diagnosed with something called Gender Dysphoria..... and off we go.
I work with 2 women and 2 men. One of the ladies was fascinated and we ended up talking afterwards just the two of us for an hour about it. The other lady's reaction was "Oh thank God, you're not dying." (Remember I was out for 4 weeks without any explanation or contact.) The two guys have said nothing, no reaction, no change in attitude. It's like they didn't attend the meeting.
So right now, I'm pretty much free of notifying people. There are a handful of others at work (outside of my area) that I'll tell but beyond that - full steam ahead.........
I had to tell HR about the Gender Dysphoria (see other posts I've made in late Sept or early October.) Then when I finally came back to work (after 4 weeks of being out with no explanation to my co-workers) I came out to my manager.
My manager is a "kind" and "laid back" woman who is thoughtful so I expected a calm and cool conversation. It was, but it was also emotional with tears on both sides. The tears came when we started talking about my marriage and how that may work out. We talked about telling the rest of the team and ended up scheduling a team meeting about a week away due to vacations.
The meeting was held this Tuesday. There were four people who didn't know and two that did (my manager and me.) I started out as usual when I come out to people... I've been diagnosed with something called Gender Dysphoria..... and off we go.
I work with 2 women and 2 men. One of the ladies was fascinated and we ended up talking afterwards just the two of us for an hour about it. The other lady's reaction was "Oh thank God, you're not dying." (Remember I was out for 4 weeks without any explanation or contact.) The two guys have said nothing, no reaction, no change in attitude. It's like they didn't attend the meeting.
So right now, I'm pretty much free of notifying people. There are a handful of others at work (outside of my area) that I'll tell but beyond that - full steam ahead.........
Title: Re: Came out at work (large corporation) this week
Post by: Jacqueline on November 04, 2016, 01:50:23 PM
Post by: Jacqueline on November 04, 2016, 01:50:23 PM
Congratulations.
It sounds like such a relief. I hope it continues to progress smoothly.
With warmth,
Joanna
It sounds like such a relief. I hope it continues to progress smoothly.
With warmth,
Joanna