So, I live in MA, and this upcoming June or July The Transgender Rights Bill will go into effect and then I will not be able to be fired from my job. But in the meantime, I wanted to change my gender marker on my ID, new picture and maybe name change. But at the same time I dont want to get fired for it either. Does anyone have any advice for me? If I change my name does my work get notified? Is this a bad idea to do now?

Disclaimer: not a legal expert.

I'd just wait until the bill comes into effect. That's only a few months away, and that wait is a small price to pay for the protection. Wouldn't you agree? Is there a pressing reason to get it done now rather than wait until June/July?

Just because my ID looks nothing like me anymore and I go out often as a woman so I dont want to get pulled over or anything.

Well you're supposed to get ID changed when your appearance changes significantly (but this doesn't require a name or gender change). But, more importantly, why do you think someone would pull you over for looking female? Cops will pull you over for speeding or breaking the law, not for being you.

How often have you had to present your ID in the past few months? When was it ever an issue that you didn't completely match the picture?

No, you misunderstand, I dont want to get pulled over for anything, or in general need to be in a situation where I must show my ID, and then have to show it. Because it liuterally looks nothing like me. And in the past 6 months I think the problem has come up at least 3 times.

get a 'carry letter' from your doctor stating you are under care for transitioning.

Quote from: lilacwoman on February 19, 2012, 03:03:30 PM
get a 'carry letter' from your doctor stating you are under care for transitioning.

Yup, this.

What is a carry letter and how will it help me?

Your doctor and/or therapist writes a letter explaining that you're TG and presenting as female although you haven't yet changed your ID...

I don't understand how that's supposed to help....I'm trying to be stealth here.....

Aloha,

What is stealth about working at a job that knows you as a male, while you wish to keep said job?

"Wait 2 months." is logical advice.

Your ID is - according to the law - supposed to look like you do.  Duh-O.  They are supposed to be able to ID you from it.  If it does not look like you then the authorities (be it cops or the guy at the liquor store) don't have to accept it.  And if the cops don't accept it, well you'll have a couple hours of suck while they figure it out.

The reason the law in MA is coming on-line is because so many places in MA already tolerate and accept it.  So I doubt that there is going to be some sort of wave of firing TG people between now and June.  Still you can use the law as a target, start getting all your duck in a row now.  It takes somewhere between a few days and a few months (depending) to get the First Step done, so you could start the process, then when the law kicks in you'll be able to come out and be out.

When you do this, it's best to do it as a real cleaning out of the Aegean Stables deal - ie. do a marathon to change all your ID everyplace as part of one huge task.  There is an order that you have to go in, and I'm sure people who've done it could make a road map for you.  But first court for a judge's decree, then DMV, then bank, then your library card, and so on. 

Be careful.  If they know you want to transition, your employer might can you before the law goes into effect.  Even then, they can can you on a pretext.  Anti-discrimination laws don't stop discrimination.