Hi girls
Were any of you in a "masculine" profession before you started transitioning?
I work in the construction industry, and i know for a fact that when i do start transitioning im going to have to quit my job.
I was just wondering whether any of you were in the same boat, what you did, and how things worked out for you?
Xx
I don't know about masculine but certainly male-dominated. I started out fixing radios and televisions while in high school and stayed in that field when I transitioned in 1974. Within 5 years after transition, I was working in electronic engineering and spent the next 40 years in that field. Women in that field were exceedingly rare in 1974 and we accounted for about 10% when I retired last year.
I was a fork lift truck driver
I was a telephony technician. Sometimes I had to crawl in attics and under houses. I got more and more useless physically as time went on. I ended up getting fired for leaving my truck unlocked and having my laptop stolen out of it. But the owner had it in for me for months before that because he was a bible beating baptist that literally thought "gays are an abomination".
Quote from: Northern Jane on May 08, 2013, 02:41:04 PM
I don't know about masculine but certainly male-dominated. I started out fixing radios and televisions while in high school and stayed in that field when I transitioned in 1974. Within 5 years after transition, I was working in electronic engineering and spent the next 40 years in that field. Women in that field were exceedingly rare in 1974 and we accounted for about 10% when I retired last year.
Wow
Coming out at work is such a daugnting thought!!
I dont know whether i could do it where i work now, they wouldn't accept me at all! :/
Its just a scary prospect having to start again and try and get a new job, especially whilst transitioning!!!!
x
Quote from: Zoe Louise Taylor on May 08, 2013, 04:03:03 PM
Coming out at work is such a daugnting thought!!
For me it was super nervous, never thought I would EVER do so. But then, the way it happened, not the way I planned it, but it worked out OK. My boss turned out to be great, and now I am out 100%. What a relief.
I hope it goes OK for you, Zoe.
I was a stevedore for a bulk material importer/exporter for the first two years of hrt. But the company closed down just before I went fulltime. Most people that worked there did figure it out though, but did not give me any issues over it. Afterwards, I did tell my former supervisor and office manager and they were cool with it and told they figured that was what was going on, but so long as I did my job well, they didn't care. The main thing that stood out was how some of the crew on some of the ships were, but still nothing really negative, they just made sure to make a note by my sign-ins on their boarding book after they saw my male id, lol.
Quote from: Zoe Louise Taylor on May 08, 2013, 04:03:03 PMComing out at work is such a daugnting thought!!
I dont know whether i could do it where i work now, they wouldn't accept me at all!
I didn't transition at work. I moved from my home town to a city hours away and started over. It was 1974 and stealth was the goal.
It did come out at my first job after but my employer was great. They held a meeting of all employees (except me!) and told the others that if they had any problem with me and didn't stop the gossip, they could look for another job! (I only found out about it much later.)
Quote from: Zoe Louise Taylor on May 08, 2013, 12:25:15 PM
Hi girls
Were any of you in a "masculine" profession before you started transitioning?
I work in the construction industry, and i know for a fact that when i do start transitioning im going to have to quit my job.
I was just wondering whether any of you were in the same boat, what you did, and how things worked out for you?
Xx
It should never have to be like that. If you can do the job, then you should not be forced to quit.
Quote from: Northern Jane on May 08, 2013, 05:13:14 PM
It did come out at my first job after but my employer was great. They held a meeting of all employees (except me!) and told the others that if they had any problem with me and didn't stop the gossip, they could look for another job! (I only found out about it much later.)
There was a meeting at my workplace. My partner works there, too, in a different section, and she was at the meeting. But my partner, she is more of a busybody than I am, she told me that most of the women there already knew.
That stress level, before going public, wow. Hypertension City. Now, however, it is very relaxed.
I work in Law Enforcement, I'm a cop, a SHERIFF CORRECTIONS DEPUTY :police: My current duties are Jail Guard, Court Bailiff and Prisoner Transport. I am currently out fulltime as of May 1st, 2013! Yay!!!! I transitioned on the job and have been on the force for 8 years this month! I am the first and only trans person my department and entire county have ever had. I am currently extremely happy to be out and to be free to be myself! I love my job and theres nothing else I would rather be doing.
I expected things to go alot worse than they are going, I expected pitch forks and torches and have been getting nothing but sunshine and butterflies from both staff and inmates. Don't give up on your job until after you come out, you never know it might turn out better than expected.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1096.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg338%2FJennycop%2FMisc%2520uploads%2Fsheriffvan_zpsa7daa756.png&hash=cfab788e7558d24b67032d3ea92219b1ef627ad7) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/Jennycop/media/Misc%20uploads/sheriffvan_zpsa7daa756.png.html)
Quote from: Zoe Louise Taylor on May 08, 2013, 12:25:15 PM
Hi girls
Were any of you in a "masculine" profession before you started transitioning?
I work in the construction industry, and i know for a fact that when i do start transitioning im going to have to quit my job.
I was just wondering whether any of you were in the same boat, what you did, and how things worked out for you?
Xx
I imagine that would be tough given the stereotypical nature of construction workers. It shouldn't be the case but I think sometimes a fresh start is really good for a person. Think of the positive side: you are not only pursuing a dream but also get to try on a whole new career. And that's exciting even if a bit unnerving as well. I am freelance writer and before that a magazine editor for a women's magazine for seven years so I can't be much help other then commiseration. I'm pretty stereotypical myself, but then again, who isn't?
I'm a self employed electrician, and am still doing it.
I don't know how long it will last though, especially now that I have started HRT, but for the mean time it's okay and pays the bills, so can't complain!!
I'm hoping to get into real estate in the near future, which should be fun.
Current job is auto sales has been for seven years and counting. Prior to transition I two very masculine jobs for three years I did Asphalt repair and paving. I also worked on the railroad for Burlington Santa Fe replacing railroad ties for two winters. Jobs before those two were telemarketing sales jobs.
I'm a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and in a trade that is mostly male. Thankfully the Canadian military has a zero tolerance policy for harrassment so my transition was relatively easy. Oh, there were some who wouldn't say hi to me in the hallway but most were accepting and some were supportive. I'm still in the military and still doing my job so I have no complaints on that score. In Aug '13 I'll have 35 years completed. Yay!!!
From what I've seen (which may be less relevant than what you have seen), women in the construction industry are more admired than disrespected. If it can encourage you.
My work involves dealing a lot with various professionals from law enforcement agencies, penitentiary institutions and other governmental agencies, which You usually dont hear about that often (I hope You get the idea which agencies I mean). Mostly, they are either masculine male or very intelligent and capable women, both genders being keen, efficient and professional. I am quite lucky since there are not many professionals in my area of expertise in our country and we are getting more and more workload with each year, yet I dunno if our counter-parts in agencies would accept my changes and be as open with me as they used to be :P. We meet from time to time and spotting changes is their profession. I can probably respecialise into other areas and leave dealing with them to my collegues. Or maybe I am just stereotyping and my inner transphobia is taking me over here.
Quote from: Jamie D on May 08, 2013, 05:17:58 PM
It should never have to be like that. If you can do the job, then you should not be forced to quit.
Yea true, i dont think my employer would mind so much, i think the people i work with would never accept me being transexual! which is a shame, as i actually consider them good mates! :/
Quote from: Joanna Dark on May 09, 2013, 01:48:17 AM
I imagine that would be tough given the stereotypical nature of construction workers. It shouldn't be the case but I think sometimes a fresh start is really good for a person. Think of the positive side: you are not only pursuing a dream but also get to try on a whole new career. And that's exciting even if a bit unnerving as well. I am freelance writer and before that a magazine editor for a women's magazine for seven years so I can't be much help other then commiseration. I'm pretty stereotypical myself, but then again, who isn't?
This is so true, im sure aswell i have many trasferable skills from my current profession that i could apply to a more feminine and accepting industry!!!
I work for a very, very, very large company with tentacles in many countries. The products or services we offer are technical so the company is dominated by engineers and scientist. I am a scientist, and currently serve as a "Scientific Advisor" to the CTO (Chief Technology Officer), and director of one of the labs. Women are a minority but the company encourages diversity. I transitioned in my job, and the company and most of my co-workers were very supportive.
I love my job!
I work in very very remote mines...I work in cleaning or kitchen..
There is no police. Sometimes no way out due to weather conditions..
We have common shower areas. Iike 4 showers in the same room
Usually up to 200 guys less then maybe 15 girls....
No city for over 700 km any direction...sometimes phone goes down
..internet goes down....
I serve guys that are like heavy eqipment operators.
Heavy duty Mechanics.
Diamond drillers..
Pretty pretty male dominated environment.
So I don't do a masculine job. I am surrounded by real a types
All i can say is some of the camp residents are like make me
Meeoww!!!
Oh yea 14 days per month I am in this ...before it was 20 days in
And 10 out.
I can't wait until I'm really pretty in camp lol
Eek, I hope you're well-paid. That job sounds like a nightmare.
Ah, the trials, tribulations, and even occasional fun of working a "masculine" or male-dominated profession.
Almost all my life.
I was a computer hacker as a child, which naturally lead me to work in computers for the government. Computers are a mostly male dominated profession (especially System administration, which I was a unix admin for many years). I also have been a stage hand (although there were women in this industry, it was still male dominated). I have been an electrician multipul times (and currently am, and most likely in the future will be). Electrical work, and construction in general, is highly male-dominated.
For the Record, I didnt transition on the job. At age 19 I saved enough money working as an electrician on navy ships (as a private contractor), I worked 12 hours a day 6-7 days a week, and lived in a hotels paid for by the company. After this job I had more than enough money to transition without working for a year. After I was fulltime, and more confident, I started applying for work as female. It worked out rather well. Thats when I went back into computers. I swore I would never do electrical work or anything like that again, because of the intense homophobia and cruelty I experienced at this job, even though I wasnt transitioning, although towards the end I was taking HRT, I was never very masculine, and I was often at the end of very cruel words.
I spent many other years doing odd things, and even buying/selling used cars (privately, not on a lot).
I also was a traveling "kid" for a while, and lived job/house free.
At some point I wanted to become a fashion designer, but it just never happened.
Then somehow 6 years ago, I fell back into electrical work (mostly residential, but also a decent bit of commercial buildings).
I often am the only female on the job site. However I do live in a fairly liberal minded area, in colorado. It really hasnt caused me too many issues. Although ask any woman, cis or trans.. if you want to be taken seriously in these fields(construction), you do have to be more "Butch". When I first got back into this, I almost felt a bit de-transitioned just because I had to play up this hyper-butch-lesbian role, even though I am not butch or a lesbian. Once all our contractors knew I did good work, I did soften up quite a bit, and nobody has really ever said anything. Although I think most assume I am a lesbian. I wear baggy work clothes, mostly because, well, dressing in a skirt, and wearing a ton of makeup doesnt bode well for crawling in insulation, crawlers, or much of anything else. Even the cis women I know who do construction wear guys work clothes. I think for the most part, people just leave me alone because I do good work. My coworker and my boss have seen me "after work hours" and are often like "WOAH!". My boss is a curious fellow, and a friend, he knows I am trans, because we have talked about things as friends.
The only "jobs" ive ever had that are 'equal' or even more on the female side are...
Acting (mostly improv real time, such as professional haunted houses)
Modeling (yes......the dirty kind)
Quote from: A on May 10, 2013, 02:02:00 PM
Eek, I hope you're well-paid. That job sounds like a nightmare.
The pay is decent the work load low...the men umm friendly..
They talk to me smile at me...
LOL normally it wouldn't be a nightmare...but I'm developing faster
Than I can laser hair off my face. :'(
Plus a forest fire is near by and 12 British Columbia forest service fire fighters
Arrived last night....ugghh so. Hard to keep my eyes off of some of them.
Although I am not alone.. a coworker identifies as tg but only
Me on HRT....
I'm an auto mechanic for a german auto repair shop in my town. I've been out to my boss for the past two years. The day I told him I needed to talk to him, he thought I was gonna quit. He was worried. But he's very cool about it. He know's I'm slowly transitioning, and when it's time for me to go full time it seems he's going to make the proper accomidations for me to continue being his right hand woman.
In the past 3 or 4 months I've been repeatedly "ma'mmed" in my work clothes. Funny thing is that my male name is on my uniform. So...I think my attitude and hrt are paying off.
I'm so happy I'm doing what I need to do to be happy
Quote from: Yennifer on May 08, 2013, 07:53:24 PM
I work in Law Enforcement, I'm a cop, a SHERIFF CORRECTIONS DEPUTY :police: My current duties are Jail Guard, Court Bailiff and Prisoner Transport. I am currently out fulltime as of May 1st, 2013! Yay!!!! I transitioned on the job and have been on the force for 8 years this month! I am the first and only trans person my department and entire county have ever had. I am currently extremely happy to be out and to be free to be myself! I love my job and theres nothing else I would rather be doing.
I expected things to go alot worse than they are going, I expected pitch forks and torches and have been getting nothing but sunshine and butterflies from both staff and inmates. Don't give up on your job until after you come out, you never know it might turn out better than expected.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1096.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg338%2FJennycop%2FMisc%2520uploads%2Fsheriffvan_zpsa7daa756.png&hash=cfab788e7558d24b67032d3ea92219b1ef627ad7) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/Jennycop/media/Misc%20uploads/sheriffvan_zpsa7daa756.png.html)
Girl!!! You're an inspiration to me. Thank you for service and courage to be you!!!!
WOW. Some of these professions and jobs make me wonder, how do you do it? :o
My workplace is men and women, maybe close to 50/50 mix, and nerdiness is a definite factor. Since I came out at work a short while ago, the women have been very supportive, most of the men have been OK, not too many jerks.
But in a hyper masculine law enforcement or construction job -- wow. Not sure I could do it, but you guys HAVE done it. It's good.
If I lived somewhere else, I dont think I would continue in electrical work. Like I said, when I was 19, the intense sexual harrasment, cruelity I expereienced at the hands of these people scared me away from a profession I am good at for many many years.
Nobody bothers me now.. but that might be because I appear as a lesbian, and not a gay guy.
I dunno, I dont think things are male dominated because women CANT do it, I think its because of the bull->-bleeped-<- women have to put up with to work these jobs.
I have only ever met ONE female plumber in my whole life. Ive met a handful more female electricians (and one transsexual besides me). Not many female rough carpenters, but a handful more trim carpenters. Painters seem to be where more women end up in construction. You'd think tile, and flooring might have more females, but thats a rarity too.
Sometimes I have to suffer through sexist storys, bad jokes, and well typical construction guy stuff.. but for the most part, its almost like they behave when I am there. lol Also they know that I might be quiet most of the time, but if it gets too bad, I will bust out my own distasteful jokes an storys that will make them turn red.
Quote from: LadyTeresa on May 09, 2013, 06:37:45 AM
I'm a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and in a trade that is mostly male. Thankfully the Canadian military has a zero tolerance policy for harrassment so my transition was relatively easy.
Terri, my father's best friend, living down the street at the time, transitioned in the early 70's and they were both
Captains for Pan American World Airways. Unfortunately private industry and the 70's were not so tolerant . . .
Currently drive a tractor trailer having airline retired after 30 years myself. You see more & more ladies they're called 'beavers for hire' and 'pickle parks' are virtually non-existent now-a-days.
Currently I work as a DOE nuclear security guard with most other guards either ex military or ex corrections officers...
I will have to leave my job once things get harder to hide plus Im not allowed to grow my hair out over 2 inches :(
Problem is its a $23 per hour job and nothing else pays this well unless I work in the oil fields which would be a step backward if im trying to avoid harassment.
Although my therapist said I should stay and when I do get harrassed to sue and not have to work lol
I guess you would call mine a masculine job. I'm the manger for our international Special Operations Group (SOG) for a large multinational oil and gas equipment and services company. I travel all over the globe and work with everyone mid-level/country managers to Upper management and govt. officials.
We have thousands of employees and I work directly for one of the 3 key people that run the company. When my boss asks me a question and I tell him, "You don't want to know", he leaves it at that. Many things I do come with few instructions short of being given an objective or outcome and I, "make it happen. So, I'm a little curious to what happens when I "come out" or get outed. Hopefully, they find that I am indispensable and they allow me continue what I do, even though doing my job in a female role will be a huge challenge since I often travel alone and unescorted in some places that would make most guys nervous. My current assignment has taken me from Dallas to London to Nairobi, Johannesburg, Hong Kong and now an undisclosed location in China until June 1st.
Erin S: Is there a safety reason that makes their restriction on hair length justifiable? Is it valid for both genders? If not, there's a possibility the restriction is not legal.
And if girls are allowed to have hair, then just tell them you're becoming a girl. If they say you still can't, point out their sexism and useless rule to them.
Quote from: Erin S on May 12, 2013, 03:49:19 AM
I will have to leave my job once things get harder to hide...
Erin, depending on where you live, you might be protected from discrimination by state law (http://www.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Employment_Laws_and_Policies.pdf) based on your sexual orientation or gender identity (there may be more current lists than this link).
Or be covered regardless if S. 815: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s815) passes. :)
Quote from: JessicaH on May 12, 2013, 04:41:12 AM
I guess you would call mine a masculine job. I'm the manger for our international Special Operations Group (SOG) for a large multinational oil and gas equipment and services company. I travel all over the globe and work with everyone mid-level/country managers to Upper management and govt. officials.
We have thousands of employees and I work directly for one of the 3 key people that run the company. When my boss asks me a question and I tell him, "You don't want to know", he leaves it at that. Many things I do come with few instructions short of being given an objective or outcome and I, "make it happen. So, I'm a little curious to what happens when I "come out" or get outed. Hopefully, they find that I am indispensable and they allow me continue what I do, even though doing my job in a female role will be a huge challenge since I often travel alone and unescorted in some places that would make most guys nervous. My current assignment has taken me from Dallas to London to Nairobi, Johannesburg, Hong Kong and now an undisclosed location in China until June 1st.
Hi Jessica,
I don't which of us will get there first but if it's you, I'd be very interested in your experience. I am a senior manager in an international engineering company, with responsabilities which also take me all over the world. To avoid any potential breach of trust issues I came out to my boss who is CEO of the company and he reacted very well at the personal level. However he felt that transitioning on the job would be very difficult in spite of admitting that he could see how I could quite easily pass as a woman. He just felt that my position was too visible and that it could be a problem both for our clients (just as male dominated as our own business) and our shareholders.
I came out early March and we have given ourselves a few months to think it over but to load the dice a little more in my own favour I will be doing a couple of final tweaks to my face in October, some soft tissue work which will finish off a very agressive FFS in beauty. I will do the surgery just before taking a holiday and would hope that when I get back, the need to officialize the obvious will be self evident. A bit risky no doubt but between now and then, I would hope to have achieved enough on the job for my colleagues to support me.
Overall, I'm inclined to believe that presenting well is one of the keys to succeeding a transition in any sort of position where you are interacting with a lot of people. As it has already been fed back to me, I know for a fact that I am already perceived as a woman by a number of my colleagues. For me this is good as it means the fruit is probably already getting ripe for the picking. The really funny bit is that apparently they think I might be an FtM... :)
Take care.
Donna
Quote from: Erin S on May 12, 2013, 03:49:19 AM
Currently I work as a DOE nuclear security guard with most other guards either ex military or ex corrections officers...
are you a Federal worker or a contractor? If your are Fed fear no more...you are protected by a presidential directive, all you need to do is contact your HR officer and notify them that you are going to transition, they should have (which I can provided you with) a guidance that OPM issue 2 years ago.
If you are a contractor, which company?
Quote from: monica93304 on May 11, 2013, 04:35:09 AM
Girl!!! You're an inspiration to me. Thank you for service and courage to be you!!!!
Awww.. thank you Monica :) I appreciate the thank you, it is so uncommon to hear in my profession that I don't even know how to respond! Your welcome? haha. Its nice to hear that things are working out for you and that you are so good at what you do, that your boss will want to keep you as his right hand woman! That is awesome and remember I have just as much courage as you do!
Quote from: Erin S on May 12, 2013, 03:49:19 AM
Currently I work as a DOE nuclear security guard with most other guards either ex military or ex corrections officers...
I will have to leave my job once things get harder to hide plus Im not allowed to grow my hair out over 2 inches :(
Problem is its a $23 per hour job and nothing else pays this well unless I work in the oil fields which would be a step backward if im trying to avoid harassment.
Although my therapist said I should stay and when I do get harrassed to sue and not have to work lol
I say you should stay, I see no reason for you to leave! I wasn't allowed to grow my hair over 3 inches, I hid mine under a hat with tons of gel and clippies for a long time. The day I was discovered is the day I came out to my EEOC rep and HR and guess what? I was allowed to keep it as long as I obeyed all female grooming standards. You have a great paying job and as you and I both know transition is not cheap!!! Your current job is also a heck of alot easier to work at than an oilfield! I say come out see what happens, if harrassment starts report it, show them it will not be tolerated. If it doesnt work out, then you can always leave and not see those jerks again. If I can do it you can do it, I have faith in you girl! Have pride and don't hide, show them boys you can do this and that you are more couragous than they could ever be! :police:
We all fear the worse when coming out but sometimes it turns out better than you ever expected, you will never know until you try!
I like your words Yennifer. You give me hope and strength,
Belief in myself ...
Like I stated earlier. I'm in extremely remote environmrnts...
And I wore a tight shirt after work the last week.so I thinl I outed myself
And acted very noncholant.. and oneof the hotties. Said he wants to ..
Meet me on time off...teach me how to fish hehe
It is possible. The world had changed
Medicine and commercial helicopter pilot flying emergency medical flights as I transition. I'ts day 10 and I can't wait until I can remove my flight helmets and show my blue streaked hair!
Hi Yennifer, I was also in the Police Force, (in Australia for 36 years), however I did not transition until after I retired. There were a number of reasons for not transitioning, the pitchforks and torches that you mentioned were one of them. I think it is easier in a Government job to transition than in Private Industry these days with EEO laws and policies.
Early this year I joined the local SES (State Emergency Service, a volunteer group) and shortly after joining told the group that I was transgender and transitioning. Apart from a few members smiling and nodding their heads in approval and a few others raising their eyebrows nothing has been said or changed. It was a non event.
I have also told a number of former colleagues of my transitioning, the reactions have usually been a bit of surprise, then asking some good questions followed by wishing me luck. One said, "So yer bodies male and yer heads female? Well good luck and I hope it all goes well and anybody gives you a hard time tell em to Get F@*%#d." Great words of wisdom that I have not had to use.
I kept expecting shock horror and bricks being thrown, instead I have received no negative reactions and generally acceptance. I have come to the conclusion that I have some fantastic friends.
Cheers
Jen
No. I would NEVER EVER have been accepted as 'one of the guys' because I was too feminine pre HRT. I couldn't pass as a man.
I'm a manager for a male dominated trucking company, and it would not go over very well with them. Needless to say, at the moment I'm still in guy-mode at work. But it pays very well, and I've been saving enough to quit in a year and take a year off to complete my transition.
If you're the boss, what can go wrong? o:
Quote from: A on May 24, 2013, 11:53:50 PM
If you're the boss, what can go wrong? o:
She did say MANAGER, not owner so she has a boss and that leaves PLENTY to go wrong! But, if she came out and got fired or laid off, she could draw unemployment which is a lot better that nothing.
I'm in the computers industry and I would say about 80-90% of the people in my office are male. Fortunately for me, my new employer is rated 100 on the HRC Corporate Equality index. Part of what makes that rating is based on the fact that we have non-discrimination policies that include discrimination based on gender identity, as well as transgender inclusive insurance (to cover the costs of therapy, hormones, and srs).
I do wonder how much I'll be putting the non-discrimination policy to the test though since the location I'm at is only a couple years old and is based in Utah. I plan on keeping records of everything just in case.