This may get long, just be warned.
Okay, so. I work at a stable, as a teacher's assistant (TA). My job entails bringing horses into the barn, feeding & watering where needed, saddling, leading horses, etc., etc., as well as supervising children in the barn, helping supervise in the arena and teaching children, and most of them know who I am. I'm not too concerned about them; some think I'm male, others just don't know. This is, in effect, the best job I could hope to have, pays above minimum, and doesn't feel like work at all. Quitting is not an option.
However, I can't see coming out working too well. There is office staff, barn staff, and the TAs, and given the entire staff force is about 20, we all overlap and know one another reasonably well. If not by name, by face, and then a small army of volunteers, almost all of them I know. None are male, besides me. Legit. There's been no bio male on staff, or volunteering, for 2 or 3 years now, and that was not even in my position. All my coworkers in the TA sector (barring 2 of the 10 of us, one of those being me) are girls 14-20, and one woman in her mid 50's. I can't see any of them being overly appreciative of this change, and let's throw another wrench in the system, shall we?
I take my own riding lessons there, will for another year, and have for 5 years. I first met my boss when I was 13, and half the reason I got my job 3 months ago was because she knew me, knew I volunteered, and needed a person for the job. The oldest of the staff have seen me grow up, albeit as a tomboy, but a girl. The running joke around the place is that I secretly am male (I have begun writing "Chris" down in logs and things, and on the public whiteboard) and I wonder if I can use the "joke" to my advantage, but still, I'm not sure how to proceed. While I am guaranteed at least 1 shift a week, we all have to work in pairs or trios, and often our boss lets us choose who we wish to work with. If coming out doesn't go well, I'll have a hard time getting the money I need, and re-proving myself in any extent I need to.
At least I don't have to come out to the horses?
