For the last several years the company I work for (over 34,000 employees) has held an event to celebrate National Coming Out Day (Oct 11). This year I volunteered to tell my story, and I was the only person to present their story live. As mentioned in the video, this was my first time ever speaking in public. The auditorium was full, and it was available via livestream to anyone in our company who wanted to watch. It was also obviously recorded.
Several people have asked to see the video. I was unable to get an official copy, so I made a bootleg (hopefully I won't get in trouble). The video quality leaves a little to be desired, but the audio is loud and clear. I cut out a crowd shot of a standing ovation I received near the middle (my first!) -- I do not want to encroach on anyone's privacy. I have also made the video private, only those with the password may view it. Please play nice.
I hope this is the proper way to post a link to the video, if not I apologize.
password: susansplace
https://vimeo.com/296189547 (https://vimeo.com/296189547)
Incredibly powerful and well presented, Jessica! I was in tears from about the middle to the end. You are doing great work in telling "our" story. Thanks for letting us see this!
Jessica Rose, that video is amazing, very moving! *sniff* Thank you so much for making it, for being an advocate, for sharing your story with your company, and for sharing the video with us
Wow Jessica, that's so beautiful, strong and inspiring. What a great presentation for your first time speaking. You're unbelievably brave and fabulous. And I hear a lot of me in your words. Thank you!!!
Very well done. Congratulations for coming out of a very difficult 4 decade journey. May the future be bright and full of goodness for you.
You are a heck of a lot braver than I am I thought coming out to just my family was hard but coming out to a lot more people sounds a whole lot tougher. I would also like to thank your place of employment for actually accepting and having a coming out day for everybody that wishes to come out that is awesome!!!
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Jessica Rose you have brought tears of joy for you from me as I watched your presentation.
It was beautiful and so were you!
Hugs and smiles, the other Jessica
Oh heck not a dry eye anywhere..at least not from me :)
Your raw honesty let your internal beauty shine through...remarkable!
Liz
Thank you for that [emoji3590]
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Very nicely done, and you are a much braver girl than me. You did very well with your speaking voice also!
Bari Jo
Thank you again for doing this. Yours is a powerful message, very well delivered.
Hugs,
Michelle P
Thank you for sharing this Jessica, really well delivered and made me cry.
Nicole
Jessica Rose, you are one brave woman. Thank you for posting this. We have a lot in common.
Mega Thumbs Up!!! I remember going through some of the same things you went through. Thanks for sharing this Jessica. :)
Thank you for telling your story to so many people. Thank you for making it a little (or a lot) easier for others to come out. Thank you for being a brave woman, and embracing who you are. Thanks for letting your self express. Thanks for showing many people that being trans can work out beautifully. Thanks for all of the preparation you put into this presentation, and sharing it here.
That was a beautiful presentation Jessica. I'm still in tear as I write this. Your story is so very true and familiar to all of us. I'm so proud of girl. We are all so very proud of you.
Loving hugs Jessica!!!!
Donica.
Jessica;
Thank you!
I know the anger. I pray, for me, it fades soon.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Kate
Quote from: jkredman on October 21, 2018, 07:50:58 PM
Jessica;
Thank you!
I know the anger. I pray, for me, it fades soon.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Kate
Kate it is completely normal for people to get angry and it's not the anger that you mostly need to worry about your reaction to the anger is what really matters I do hope that your anger subsides and just remember you have got a lot of family and we're all here for you if you ever need to talk
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Quote from: jkredman on October 21, 2018, 07:50:58 PM
Jessica;
Thank you!
I know the anger. I pray, for me, it fades soon.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Kate
Kate, my anger grew for decades, and I had no idea where it was coming from. My Dad also had quite a temper, so I just though it was a 'guy thing'. It wasn't until I finally put all of the pieces together, when I finally saw the whole picture of my life, that I realized where my anger had come from. Two years ago I would have laughed hysterically at anyone who suggested that I may have been transgender. Once I discovered the source of my anger, I made the decision to transition within minutes. Although I will always be haunted by memories of my anger and rage, the desire to lash out has faded away. I still get mad at times, but now I talk it out instead of letting it simmer for days or weeks at a time. The rage, the darkness, serves no useful purpose. Just let it go.
There will be good days and bad, but it will get better. Have faith in yourself.
Quote from: Jessica_Rose on October 21, 2018, 08:18:38 PM
Kate, my anger grew for decades, and I had no idea where it was coming from. My Dad also had quite a temper, so I just though it was a 'guy thing'. It wasn't until I finally put all of the pieces together, when I finally saw the whole picture of my life, that I realized where my anger had come from. Two years ago I would have laughed hysterically at anyone who suggested that I may have been transgender. Once I discovered the source of my anger, I made the decision to transition within minutes. Although I will always be haunted by memories of my anger and rage, the desire to lash out has faded away. I still get mad at times, but now I talk it out instead of letting it simmer for days or weeks at a time. The rage, the darkness, serves no useful purpose. Just let it go.
There will be good days and bad, but it will get better. Have faith in yourself.
You sound a lot like me as far as our decision to transition being made within minutes but I have always had a lot of anger myself and I think even worse than that is putting on a fake smile because you're not happy with who you are my anxiety would get so bad that the thought of going outside in public as the gender I was not supposed to be it would make me throw up just the thought of being in public would make me throw up but once I came out started dressing right the smile isn't fake no more the anger is still real but I think we all deal with that while I'm hormones
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Thanks for sharing Jessica! What a great video and what a great opportunity to share your story. It is heartbreaking at times and highlights the difficulties we all go through to be ourselves. You also share your happy moments on your journey. I am glad you and your talk have been received so well. You seem to have a great employer.
Oh Jessica Rose, Thanks so much for sharing with me the link to your video. I could have listened to a much longer presentation. You had such a kind and encouraging spirit throughout your talk. I am so glad that it was well received. I almost am coming to tears as I think about all that you have gone through and your wonderful, kind spirit that is so evident. Also, you have done a great job with your voice. I only hope that I can do half as well. I am so very glad that we have met here at Susan's Place!
BTW-There is no reply button on your message to me. Perhaps, I have to wait until I have 15 posts before I can even reply. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. With Love and Hugs, Marsha
Oh my, Jessica Rose! That was beautiful and made me cry! I see so much myself in you, except, so far, the courage to come out to everyone. Like you, I am fortunate to have the love and support of my wife of 27 years.
I have been slowly reading your entire thread, looking forward to reading a bit each night, and have been buoyed by your successes and saddened by your setbacks. Overall, though, I just want you to know you are a huge inspiration for so many other women.
Thank you!
rachel
I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments. I also received several notes from company employees, but one of the responses was totally unexpected.
Our Chief Marketing Officer (who saw my presentation live) sent out a note concerning the story about the possible government attempt to redefine gender as 'immutable'. He wanted to let us know that members of the LGBT+ community had the unwavering support of the company. I sent him a short 'thank you' note. I was not expecting a response, but I got one. This part blew me away:
"... I'm so proud of this great company and its culture. I still can't get the power of your presentation out of my mind."
I'm still smiling.
Quote from: Jessica_Rose on November 19, 2018, 07:46:48 PM
Our Chief Marketing Officer (who saw my presentation live) sent out a note concerning the story about the possible government attempt to redefine gender as 'immutable'. He wanted to let us know that members of the LGBT+ community had the unwavering support of the company. I sent him a short 'thank you' note. I was not expecting a response, but I got one. This part blew me away:
"... I'm so proud of this great company and its culture. I still can't get the power of your presentation out of my mind."
I'm still smiling.
In support of your experience, I wish that I could overcome my resistance to changing our insurances to Progressive! What power does a potential customer have, except to transition to an actual customer?
You overcame such thick brambles to get to where you are. Thanks for continuing to share your story here.
OMG Jessica that was amazing! So well done, so powerful, so honest.
Moonflower... I personally can't endorse any of their products because I don't have experience with them -- as a veteran my insurance is through USAA. However as an employer, Progressive has been nothing but awesome during my transition. I was in charge of the communications and the timetable. From co-workers to managers and HR, everyone worked to help make my transition as smooth as possible. As always YMMV, but if anyone is looking for an employer who encourages everyone to bring their true selves to work every day, I have no reservations in recommending Progressive.
Jessica,
I have only just see this and it brought tears to my eyes.
Truly wonderful, thank you,
Izzy