Hi! I'm in the process of coming out to H.R. at work. I don't plan on going full-time until Fall, but enough people know that it is only a matter of time until all (the friendly and potentially unfriendly) know. This question is a little hard to formulate. Susan's gives a wonderfully detailed guide to coming out at work. It's thoughtful and careful and so helpful. But I'm wondering how the EEOC's ruling changes the advice. Are we under any obligation to tell work at all (I understand that for accommodation purposes we need to tell)? Have any of you told your workplace post-EEOC and, if so, what have you been told?

Here's why I'm telling H.R. The college where I work sees itself as an EEOC governed institution. It doesn't spell out gender presentation specifically in its list of protected classes, but my mentor has asked human resources and has been told unequivocally that they do not (and cannot) discriminate based on gender identity. I'm telling H.R. namely to be brought into the university's protection. My job depends on evaluations from a number of people who may feel differently about me once they know I'm changing my gender presentation. I've always gotten very high marks from supervisors and students, but I don't know exactly how the folks at this small town college will respond. 

I live in a state where gender identity is protected. I was not under any obligation to inform my employer that I am transitioning. But, I did so out of common courtesy. I felt it was important to let them know what was going on and how I expected to be treated. It also provided me some protection since it is protected under state law.

Thanks, Brooke. My state doesn't have those protections, but my school sees itself as subscribing to the most narrow interpretation of EEOC. I understand that there may still be some gray areas in the law. But the university does not discriminate (it says). I'm also thinking that telling H.R. may help protect me. Discrimination can come in many possible ways, not just top-down. I've set up a meeting tomorrow. First thing. Yikes.

Please, let us know how it goes. I wish you the best.

 ;DIt's been a long day, but telling H.R. went very well. The recent EEOC ruling really bolstered my sense of entitlement to be the gender I was born to be. I was able to be kind, but very matter of fact. The very kind woman in H.R. was mainly concerned with the logistics of my change (i.e. name changes on benefits and in catalogues). It was obviously her first experience with a transgender employee, and as it was my first time telling human resources, I think we both did quite well. The one thing I did stress, as a courtesy, is that I am willing to do whatever I am able to make the transition easy on colleagues.

I'm really happy that it went so well for you. Good job on staying strong, yet being kind at the same time.