Hello
I have been going to my gender therapist for 8-9 months
I'm out to just about everyone family wise ...but therapist suggested I come out at work..to finally set myself free.I have spoken with my HR department about myself and they are totally understanding and do not tolerate harassment,discrimination,bullying...none of that.So I feel pretty good with that part , but I'm scared to come out to my managers and dept.Being a skilled trades in around all men and feel anxiety and scared to death. But there are plenty of other people in building I work (hospital) now I know for a fact I'm not the only transgender in my employer (healthcare system)
Anyone else have the same thoughts ,feelings? And if did how did you over come it?

As with everything else, baby steps are good.

This is what I did/doing:
1) told my boss that I had a medical condition and would need to time off for appointments etc... (Nov '2015)
2) HR was told at 11 months the whole truth. (Oct 2016)
2) A YEAR later (obviously I went very slowly, but a month would have been okay I think) I told her what the medical condition was.  In clinical terms not personal.  The conversation went personal quickly, but it was based on medical not personal issues. (Nov 2016)
3) two weeks later, team meeting.  Just those that report to my boss (my co-workers). (Nov 2016)
4) My boss's boss two months later (January 2017)
5) HR will be notifying my the next level of managers, their co-workers and our CTO on Tuesday Feb 21st.
6) Full time March 6th.

I'm scared as hell about March 6th, but ... that too will pass.  The sky will not fall, the world will not end and the sun will come up on Tuesday March 7th.

My nervousness is two fold - one is people's reaction.  Like you I'm "protected" by company policy - besides I work with nice people. And second it's a step to "you can't go back."  Not that I can go back, but it's losing a grip on the past is scary.

As to how I deal with it - I take a breath, think about the alternative and move forward.

 Hi,

I too work for a hospital system. I work in Philadelphia. We have specific protections for LGBT. I work in facilities and with union skilled trades, construction workers and union building trades.

I am the 13th trans at work but first one to transition at work. Now there is a second, a nurse.

I told my Operations Manager and friend then set up a meeting with HR. HR was and is super supportive. We have an office of diversity and inclusion and they assisted.

I told my boss who is an EVP in the garden in front of one of our buildings. It was a lunch meeting (he was eating) and when I told him his mouth was open with food in it, I think for 5 seconds. He was speechless. He tried to be supportive but he was very awkward. The next day he came to my office and tried to talk me out of HRT.

I was stalled by my boss to come out at work by 6 months. Then I started telling people and telling my boss I told them. He said but everyone will find out. He realized he needed to get on-board or lose control of the situation. He told me at my evaluation last year he will never understand me being trans but he can work with me.

He, HR and I meet and set a date for me to come out. There was a team meeting and I was to meet with each segment of Facilities (8 meetings). HR and my Boss were to be with me. The day came and I went to each segment but HR and my boss did not show. I answered every question and did not hold back.

I gained a lot of respect and was told that many times by my coworkers. They were impressed I faced them and answered all their questions.

The oddest was when I was having a meeting with one segment. I was sitting next to an operator that is massive with no neck and bear paws for hands. He said you still like girls, right. I said I like guys and had guys as boyfriends. He could not grasp that. He kept asking, like he had a mental block with the answer. A group of operators chimed in and explained it in a more explicit way. He then said oh, ok.

When I came out I was told I could not use a Men's room. I could use a single stall bathroom or a Woman's room. I did not expect that, it never occurred to me. Anyhow, I am accepted in woman's rooms. I am greeted and spoken with. It is a very odd feeling to have a conversation between two stalls.  Try that in a men's room.

Quote from: AshleyJP on February 13, 2017, 10:10:22 AM
Hello
I have been going to my gender therapist for 8-9 months
I'm out to just about everyone family wise ...but therapist suggested I come out at work..to finally set myself free.I have spoken with my HR department about myself and they are totally understanding and do not tolerate harassment,discrimination,bullying...none of that.So I feel pretty good with that part , but I'm scared to come out to my managers and dept.Being a skilled trades in around all men and feel anxiety and scared to death. But there are plenty of other people in building I work (hospital) now I know for a fact I'm not the only transgender in my employer (healthcare system)
Anyone else have the same thoughts ,feelings? And if did how did you over come it?

I wouldn't advise it now considering the current political environment.

Quote from: Amy1988 on February 13, 2017, 06:43:13 PM
I wouldn't advise it now considering the current political environment.

I had my first Testosterone shot the week before the election. My immediate thought was, "What the everloving hell did i just do" Since then I have come to realize that stepping back into or staying in the closet is not an option. Not only for myself, but also because of the political climate. I do live in an area with protections, so that at least is good. I am trying to decide if I want to wait until the physical forces me out or if I want to grab the bull by the horns n just do it. But one thing I will not do is let other people dictate my choices. With all respect to those who are not in a situation where they can safely come out, by all means personal safety comes first.