:/ I feel strangely discouraged about ENDA going up for a vote because I doubt it will pass the house. I have some hope that it just might, too, because some republicans were on the panel this time. But I have a feeling when (or even if) it's brought up in the house, it just won't get passed ... and honestly, that's going to be like a punch to the gut, because employment is probably my biggest fear when it comes to transitioning.
Currently I have quit working and am going to school full time. I'm doing very well. I'm in honor societies (3 of them!). I have people willing to get me references. I have a high GPA. I have a ton of work I can use to back up that I can, in fact, do what I have chosen to do. I'm friendly, honest, and work hard. But I'm afraid to transition because even if I pass perfectly ... I won't be able to hide it because I can't change my gender on my Texas birth certificate. So any job that requires me to present my birth certificate after I transition, until Texas changes its laws (FAT CHANCE!), my employers will know no matter what I do. (For that matter, I won't be able to vote in the state of Kansas and other states for the same reason, because if I change my license to reflect my new name and gender ... because my birth certificate doesn't match, I can't register to vote, but that's a different story...).
Even when if it does pass, I still worry. I can see how it will help us keep a job, but I worry that that there's little to nothing to keep people from highering trans and LGB people when they apply for jobs.
