Hi everyone,
A few months into my transition I joined this forum and have found it a warm and friendly place. This encouraged me to go on my first Pride march in London and become involved at work with their Diversity & Inclusion and Transgender communities. After a few weeks I was helping to write two policy documents, that are now published guidelines, for how managers and HR should engage with and manage Transgender employees. The company I work for has over 159,000 employees globally with 14,000 based in the UK & Ireland (my bit!)
This is where we get to the IT consultant. He is co-chair of the company's Gender Identity, D&I & the Trans communities and has been instrumental in guiding us with his clear, level-headed approach. As a gay man he has great empathy and truly wants to understand Trans people and their problems so that he can make a positive contribution together with us to help smooth the path for the next generation of employees.
The problem is that he is very nervous about joining this forum because he doesn't know what kind of reception he will receive, not being Trans himself. He doesn't just want to read forum posts, but to ask questions and engage in discussions with our community. I have already told him that he would be made welcome but I think that a few comments from other people would re-assure him.
You can check me out by clicking on my profile and reading my posts (there aren't that many).
Thanks everyone,
Holly x
He is more than welcome!!
Cindy
Forum Admin
Ooh! Another one.!
Welcome!
Sno.
Bienvenue
Many of us are or have been gay or bisexual at some point in our life so there should be no problem with that. We not only have transgender member but CIS who are SOs of transgenders or in a some cases, people who just want to learn more about us. Everybody is welcome here and he need not tell us any more that he is comfortable telling us. I think he will find the site an enjoyable and educational experience.
Thank you to everyone who replied. As usual, I only found links well after I posted! You can read more about Martin here: http://blog.uk.fujitsu.com/responsible-business/be-completely-you-shine-lgbt/#.WATmvJhTGXA (http://blog.uk.fujitsu.com/responsible-business/be-completely-you-shine-lgbt/#.WATmvJhTGXA)
I'm getting better known and now and contribute to the company's blog.
http://blog.uk.fujitsu.com/responsible-business/pride-in-london-2016-solidarity-empowerment-and-inspiration/#.WATpp5hTGXA (http://blog.uk.fujitsu.com/responsible-business/pride-in-london-2016-solidarity-empowerment-and-inspiration/#.WATpp5hTGXA)
http://blog.uk.fujitsu.com/responsible-business/from-dull-grey-to-technicolour-why-weve-published-a-trans-inclusion-guide/#.WATpx5hTGXC (http://blog.uk.fujitsu.com/responsible-business/from-dull-grey-to-technicolour-why-weve-published-a-trans-inclusion-guide/#.WATpx5hTGXC)
My next blog entry in a few weeks will be about my 22 mile charity swim over 8 weeks as a trans woman, and you may even get a photo!
http://www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk/user/u/10070 (http://www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk/user/u/10070)
Holly x
Hello all - just joined. Thank you for the supportive words in this thread. Not sure I'd describe myself as being very nervous - rather, I'm keen to ensure I'm starting on the right foot and engaging in the right way. Although trans* forums are relatively new to me I've used many forums in the past and acutely aware of etiquette. :)
I've posted a short item about me in the Introductions forum, and I look forward to getting to know people on here.
Thanks Holly for signposting me.
I'm also open to questions anyone might want to ask too - keen to make this a two-way journey of exploration. ;)