I started working for a large, well known company a few months ago. Initially, after explaining to them that I am a transgender male, they told me I would have to use the women's restroom until I could 'prove' this with some form of paperwork. Obviously I used the men's, because obviously I am a man. I had no issues with this up until a couple of days ago. I was told by the store manager and another employee who deals with these things (I suppose) that there was a complaint about me using the men's restroom. I have already figured out who it was that complained, because there is only one person that honestly dislikes me and would take action like this against me. He also is the type of person that would 'tell' on people, unlike other people I work with. Everyone else is accepting and doesn't care, but this particular individual seems to have a stick up his...well anyway. Another trans guy I work with and I are going to take action towards not only making it so I can use the bathroom that makes me comfortable, but we are going to fight to create rules enforced by the company to make sure no other trans* individual has to experience such humiliation and dysphoria. When I was told of the bathroom 'issue', I felt that it was an incredibly invasive conversation, and was made very upset by it. I pass 90% of the time, despite starting hormones only a few days ago, so this is no issue. It is simply that someone else gets to determine the severity of my discomfort when it is already incredibly severe. If it's possible I would like to find other employees of this company so we can form together as one voice and make a difference for all transgender individuals employed by them. If anyone has any ideas or opinions, I would be happy to hear them.
