I'm at the stage of rlt where I'm way past being able to live as a guy but have not made it to srs yet. I've cried, bitched, moaned, & some things I can't even mention. I obviously am not gonna find my dream job in this ecconemy irregardless as normal people won't either. Ecconemy aside, how do we move forward when we're stuck in the middle even if it was the best of times? I feel more drawn to androdgenous people even though I am & wish to live female. I don't expect answers to be easy or clear & that is why I'm becoming most interested in the androgenious community, just for practical advice in survival.

Hi Bella.  The middle can be tough - neither fish nor fowl, so to speak.  I don't think SRS is the defining feature of being completely transitioned.  To me, it is just one step along the way.  After all, no one other than me has seen my genitals for quite a while (darn it  ).

To me, it depends on how you see yourself and how you present yourself.  If you feel you are a woman and present yourself as a woman and people usually recognaize you as a woman, then I don't think you are stuck in the middle.

But what do I know?  I'm just muddling through this, too.   (I am pre-op and six months RLE today - a woman with a few anatomical discrepancies.)

*hugs*
Kate

Ty K8! I aggree with all & will live & present female as I've so for yrs. The trouble I have regarding seeking employment is that any & all background checks done will come up as male. In addition I have to list my old former male name for them to verify passt employment. Honestly most employers are going to veiw this as to much possible bs to deal with. If it comes down to it I'll say I had srs overseas & can't change my gender markers.

Sorry, Bella.  I didn't realize it was a job search thing.  I haven't done it, so whatever I say may not help you. 

I agree that it would probably narrow the field of possibles, but I think I would just balls it out.  I used to be *him* and now I'm *her* and with my experience - on the job and with life - I can be a real asset to your company.  I don't know how you do that if you can't get in the door.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

- Kate

Ty K8, I've never had any real problems with coworkers or people I come accross in everyday life, but employers just try to avoid any possible hassles that turn up as red flags in the hiring process. I'll keep banging away though!

The past employers thing is tricky.  Some prospective employers don't check past employment, some do, it's hard to know and you're certainly not going to ask, but many do check credit history.  Have you made all the name changes with the credit reporting companies?  You also need to make sure they don't have your former name as an alias.

Future employment issues like this is one of the many reasons we have to keep working on eliminating the social stigma TGs face.

Julie

Yes, my name change is legal, no alias, & I've changed my legal name on all my legal documents & ID's. I'll just have to try & start over small & work my way up. I've it before, but as a man.

Just remember that even in the best of economic time you may never find the "Dream Job" but there are jobs out there to be had.  Granted the jobs available are not the greatest but it's a start and if you look at those types of jobs as stepping stones, temporary means of income then you can plan for bigger and better things while at least earning some money.  I recall the there was one month where I distributed 210 resumes (CV's) and applications and got exactly one interview, to say that I was a little down hearted was an understatement.  I finally landed a job driving taxi and while it's not the best career move that I made it did give me "Cash" and on Friday and Saturday nights there was a lot of cash.  On the down side it wasn't the safest job for a girl but I toughed it out until something better came a long, which it did.

Job hunting sucks big time for folks like us, but stick at it, you have nothing to loose and on the bright side once you hit rock bottom everything else looks great, believe me I know.

-={LR}=-

The thing is, when I was living as a guy I could get a good job so easy & go & crap all over it, get fired, & have as good a job or better tommorow. No fear, absolutely none. I am very experienced in my field & can be dropped in anywhere & go to work w/o diapers. But after trans, no one will give me the time of day. All I have to do to get a job is live as a guy. Most peoples idea of a rebel is someone who goes out of their way to make trouble. My idea of a rebel is someone who ends up in the doghouse anyway just doing their best to fit in & get along. & then there are those who spent their lives trying not to bother anyone & get pushed too far...

A rebel often is someone who bucks convention.  When we look in the mirror I'd guess we all see a rebel.

The war we fight is one of ignorance.  But if almost everyone is ignorant it's going to be a long war.

I put out dozens of resumes after I came out.  (No, I didn't mention I was trans.)  My profession is in construction.  In the best of times I would get maybe five or six serious inquiries.  But I had just completed two very hi-tech jobs that would put a major feather in anyone's cap.  So when my resume came across the wires with all I have done and they saw it was a woman, the phone lines rang off the hook.

Then "something happened".  I can't say if it was the grapevine, my voice, that unusual resume for a woman, or what.  But somewhere along the lines the interest grew cold.  One man, when I called to set up an appointment, said, "I've never seen a woman who has done all you have."  So I verified my resume with facts.  There was no further communication.

Diane Schroer, the woman who won a lawsuit against the Library of Congress, ran into the same thing.  No woman could have ever done all she had.  Thus is the burden of us who excel in a man's world.

It's a very binary world. That's our reality, but it doesn't always have to be that way. The younger you are, the more you will benefit from education of the masses.

Julie