Clark (husband) knows someone who used to be very active in the local youth group and when he told this guy 'John' that I'm trans, John said 'Hey! They've been looking for a trans chair/board member.' I later expressed interest to John about volunteering with the youth group because it's an active interest of mine. I told John that I didn't know if I'd want to be in a management position but that I'm willing to do anything I'm capable of.
For some reason he's set up a lunch with the CEO because he's friends with her. I say 'for some reason' because I was prepared to go through the regular channels to start volunteering with them. I'm happy to be meeting her and getting my foot in the door either way.
I'm prepared to be honest that I have never been in a management position, only leadership. One of the things I'm worried about, however, is my lack of employment having a negative impact on her opinion of me. I've dealt with depression ever since I can remember, but it became debilitating in the last three years or so and made it damn near impossible for me to hold down a job. After realizing I was in denial about being trans my depression magically got better to the point where it's not debilitating anymore. As I transition it's getting even better.
I say all this, because as I understand a lot of young people in the LGBT community deal with debilitating depression, and suicide is very high among people under 30. I feel lucky that despite feeling suicidal I was incapacitated to the point where I couldn't even bring myself to do any harm. Kind of messed up, but it's the truth.
If she questions why I have a serious lack in employment for the past three years is it wise to give her a condensed version? I'm sure it's nothing she hasn't heard before but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot.
I think you should tell her if she brings it up, because if this is an organization that deals with LGBT issues, they will have an understanding of how depression affects trans people. It might also be helpful because you'll be able to have a greater understanding/connection with the LGBT youth who suffer depression that you work with.
Quote from: LearnedHand on July 02, 2013, 07:45:11 PM
I think you should tell her if she brings it up, because if this is an organization that deals with LGBT issues, they will have an understanding of how depression affects trans people. It might also be helpful because you'll be able to have a greater understanding/connection with the LGBT youth who suffer depression that you work with.
This is good advice.
Just think of a succinct way to explain what happened - I wouldn't give too much detail