Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I originally posted this in the FTM section but in retrospect I should have put it here. For the mods feel free to delete this post in the FTM section (there were no responses anyway).

We're working on everyone at work using the correct pronouns for me. People are trying and I remind them. I know it takes people awhile, especially if you've worked there a period of time, but it's so aggravating. Mentally for me using males pronouns is natural and I wish people could think that way as well. I know that's unrealistic, it's just something I wish.

My question is this- for anyone who transitioned on the job at what length of time did the majority of people start using the correct pronouns for you? I know some people take longer than others, but how long did it take at your workplace for most people to adjust and see you as male (or female)? I'm thinking probably months and months, but how long for you? I try to be patient yet firm on it. I just wish this part of it was all over. :icon_dizzy: At least the newer employees saw me as male from the get-go before the announcement. They are ahead of the curve. :D

It has been a year and a half and I'm still waiting. Some try and therefore get it quickly, some don't agree with it and only use correct pronouns to your face. Those take a very long time to get it right and having a supervisor on your side about it and friends who correct them helps heaps. Good luck!

I don't remember.  It was fairly quick in front of clients, but took longer amongst themselves.  Heck, just yesterday somebody i don't work with often 'she'd' me to another coworker, and another did it as well but was corrected by another employee.  :)  I've been out at work for nearly 2 years (Nov).

some did it straight away, some automatically used male before coreecting themselves, some seemed to make a point of using male all the time...needlesss to say I don't have that job or town or see much of any of those now.

1.5—2 years? Ugh. :icon_dizzy: My biggest concern are the clients. They all assume (correctly) I'm male over the phone and people who come in see me as male. There's no need confusing the clients about different pronouns.

Of course, using this fact can be to my advantage. I told my co-workers that confusing the client is bad for the client and makes them look foolish. Even though positive reinforcement is good, few things light a fire under someone's butt than the fact that they make themselves look stupid. >:-)

My manager is supportive of my transition but is still having problems shifting to male pronouns. Once she gets it down I think it will help others to get it right- especially if she corrects them. So I'm focusing on her the most in hopes that others will catch on.

Outside of the occasional slip-up everyone started using proper pronouns right away. My division has around 250 people in it. I work at a university so it is a very diverse and accepting place. btw, went full time in March of this year.

I was at my previous job when I began transitioning and there I was already out before the transition began so many people already referred to me by male pronouns. There were (and seemingly always will be) the people who refuse to change.

I find creative ways to deal with those types of individuals. I went through all of high school pretty much calling a girl named Abby by the name Jack because she refused to call me Seth. When she asked why I called her Jack I always created new absurd reasons and would point out they were just as absurd as her argument that Lindsay was my legal name. I even told her once that it was due to the economic standing of Great Britain. To this day she still calls me Lindsay... and I still call her Jack. It's only been 10 years though so I hold out hope lol.

At my new job I already passed as male easily but I have come out to some coworkers and all of them have respected me and kept it private. At the same time those people are younger people who all tend to be open minded which is why I came out to them in the first place. Having a trans partner has also helped me some because with people who don't know her and have no impact on her life I will sometimes out her first in conversation to test the waters. I have never once had a bad reaction to this but if I ever did I would merely defend her and in the long run keep my mouth shut around that person regarding my own gender identity.

I suspect though that it will take a long time or a whole new job for the respect you deserve to become a reality.

Well, most people seem to respect it. At least what they've told me and told others in private. It's just humans are creatures of habit and it can be hard to break habits.

Some of them are even doing better than my family about pronouns- but they haven't known me all my life either. :)