Woooooohooooooo!!!!

So yesterday the company had a team meeting to discuss my transition. After that, my boss told the other department managers to inform their staff. I've been having nothing but support. Everyone has been so nice, and people have pledged their support. I also had no idea what a strong LGB presence we have had here but apparently we do. And now I add "T" to that.

I was going to start presenting as F tomorrow but you know what, I'm already here today and everyone knows. One of my coworkers basically said, why are you hiding? She was so right. So I'm not. I don't have to. I took off the jacket I use to cover up and I'm myself.

I could not have done it without you. While I have gotten tons of great advice from my therapist, the advice I've gotten here has been priceless.

Special mention goes out to April, Sydney and Gabby who have been encouraging me along and picking me up when I get knocked down. I consider them to be my sisters and I'll never forget what they did.

My new name goes live in the system tomorrow and everyone is already calling me by it.

I've been embraced and welcomed by everyone. The women here are so excited that they'll have a seasoned, experienced woman as a tech team lead. I've even gotten invited to a baby shower! Yay!

It feels GREAT to be full time. No more hiding. No more excuses for my hair and my appearance.

To quote a great man, Dr Martin Luther King, "Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty I'm free at last!"

Yay congrats iKate. The quote is so fitting. It's wonderful to hear they are supportive and already calling you by the name that is legal and matches your gender identity now. Hugs
Mariah

Congratulations, you`ve come a long way on this 'road'.......be confident and stay happy!

Awesome news!

I've been following your posts for a little while. Happy to hear work was so accepting

Congrats iKate!!!!  You've taken your first step into a larger world. 

iKate,

What a rush that must be. Enjoy and good luck on a smooth full time experience.

Joanna

Congrats, Kate! You've come so far from the person I remember you being when I first joined—you sound more confident every day, your outlook has completely changed, and most importantly, you're loving yourself for just being you. Couldn't be happier for you, and good luck with everything! 

Awesome!!
So happy for you!!

Quote from: AndrewB on June 17, 2015, 10:55:21 AM
Congrats, Kate! You've come so far from the person I remember you being when I first joined—you sound more confident every day, your outlook has completely changed, and most importantly, you're loving yourself for just being you. Couldn't be happier for you, and good luck with everything! 

Dude!!! Yes that is SO true... I was so timid. Crying when I took the first E pill. Is this right for me? What am I doing??? Will ANYONE see me as a woman?

Now I've come so far yet I have SO far to go.

One of the managers asked me if I'm planning on leaving. I said, well to be honest it depends on how I feel but I love this place and all my colleagues and everyone seems supportive. So I don't think I will, at least not in the short term. Some people slip now and again but people have been trying. And that's important.

Congratulations Kate!!  I'm glad everything went so well and I'm so very happy for you!!

You rock, girl.

And it only gets better from here on.

Congrats, so glad to hear it, and even gladder that it has been such a positive experience for you.

Ikate,
That is so awesome.. feels so good doesn't it.. sometimes all we have to fear is fear itself..
I wish I could give your boss a big hug for ya... I get emotional when I hear these positive stories.  The world is changing... You will most likely find some women at work who will be your close ally and help you..
Women love to give advise and most want to welcome us to the club..
I love the quote you wrote.. I copied it.  It is amazing..
Love
Keri AKA Dodie to my family

Quote from: AndrewB on June 17, 2015, 10:55:21 AM
Congrats, Kate! You've come so far from the person I remember you being when I first joined—you sound more confident every day, your outlook has completely changed, and most importantly, you're loving yourself for just being you. Couldn't be happier for you, and good luck with everything! 

Oh and Andrew... your a good lookin dude.... wow..
Keri

Quote from: iKate on June 17, 2015, 11:21:19 AM

One of the managers asked me if I'm planning on leaving. I said, well to be honest it depends on how I feel but I love this place and all my colleagues and everyone seems supportive. So I don't think I will, at least not in the short term. Some people slip now and again but people have been trying. And that's important.

This is so like how it went for me. When I told my bosses I was transitioning they thought I was going to quit, they were relieved to find out it was just that I'm a woman! It took folks a month or so to stop slipping, some of my workmates have known me for a decade. It was so nice to hear people trying. That first week I kept feeling like crying because it dawned on me how much everyone cared about me. It just gets better too, the other women at work have been amazing. Anyway, I just wanted to say congrats. I am very happy for you, you have been an inspiration to me so it is nice to see you taking steps to be more happy. Yay !

It gets even better.

Today I did my first vendor meeting as myself. I did come out to her though and she said congratulations and used my name and pronouns properly. My colleague did slip but I corrected him and he felt really bad. I told him that's OK, it's an adjustment and it will happen don't worry about it.

But the best part - I work at a TV station. I did a whole walk through tour of the studios, control rooms and other stuff with the vendor. I was introduced to talent I hadn't met before. They treated me like any other woman, with not one weird look. However one (a news anchor) who I've interacted with more often than not looked a bit puzzled, "don't I know you?" I wasn't about to out myself in front of everyone, and she said, "you wanna have this anchor chair?" And started to smile and blush. She said, "I love it when I get 'em blushing!"

All in all a very good day. Tomorrow it gets real. I come to work as (Kate) from the start and my name gets changed in all systems, except payroll. This is until I get my name changed legally. I had held off on doing that because I would need to get a new passport for travel.

Quote from: Kellam on June 17, 2015, 01:15:43 PM
This is so like how it went for me. When I told my bosses I was transitioning they thought I was going to quit, they were relieved to find out it was just that I'm a woman! It took folks a month or so to stop slipping, some of my workmates have known me for a decade. It was so nice to hear people trying. That first week I kept feeling like crying because it dawned on me how much everyone cared about me. It just gets better too, the other women at work have been amazing. Anyway, I just wanted to say congrats. I am very happy for you, you have been an inspiration to me so it is nice to see you taking steps to be more happy. Yay !

Oh, it wasn't that way with me. They knew I was transitioning. She was just concerned that I'd want to leave to get a fresh start. To be honest that has crossed my mind. It would be nice to be known by everyone as (Kate) and not to be misgendered at all. But I have a supportive environment here and the ladies are treating me as one of their own. Fully and completely. That may be good enough to get me to stay.

Quote from: Dodie on June 17, 2015, 01:11:07 PMYou will most likely find some women at work who will be your close ally and help you..
Women love to give advise and most want to welcome us to the club..

Yes!! One of them who is a director told me basically anything I need. She is so happy that I'm a woman in a technical lead position. She views me as nothing less. She even said she'll help me with style and fashion

QuoteI love the quote you wrote.. I copied it.  It is amazing..
Love
Keri AKA Dodie to my family

Dr King has been one of my inspirations throughout my life.

And thank you for all of your inspiration as well, sister.

I feel like I'm late to the party, but I wanted to congratulate you! So proud and excited for you

Quote from: iKate on June 17, 2015, 10:06:40 AM
Woooooohooooooo!!!!

So yesterday the company had a team meeting to discuss my transition. After that, my boss told the other department managers to inform their staff. I've been having nothing but support. Everyone has been so nice, and people have pledged their support. I also had no idea what a strong LGB presence we have had here but apparently we do. And now I add "T" to that.

I was going to start presenting as F tomorrow but you know what, I'm already here today and everyone knows. One of my coworkers basically said, why are you hiding? She was so right. So I'm not. I don't have to. I took off the jacket I use to cover up and I'm myself.

I could not have done it without you. While I have gotten tons of great advice from my therapist, the advice I've gotten here has been priceless.

Special mention goes out to April, Sydney and Gabby who have been encouraging me along and picking me up when I get knocked down. I consider them to be my sisters and I'll never forget what they did.

My new name goes live in the system tomorrow and everyone is already calling me by it.

I've been embraced and welcomed by everyone. The women here are so excited that they'll have a seasoned, experienced woman as a tech team lead. I've even gotten invited to a baby shower! Yay!

It feels GREAT to be full time. No more hiding. No more excuses for my hair and my appearance.

To quote a great man, Dr Martin Luther King, "Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty I'm free at last!"

That is so amazing to have an entire office and coworkers get behind you and accept you. Blessings to you Kate