Well...I went to the therapist last week....and of course I am going back.  I actually opened up to her like I have never really done before.  It was a good experience finally.  Anyway...that is not why I am posting.  I am posting to ask about how to come out at work.  I am ready.  I am living full time at home as a man...but at work it is a different story.  The truth is a work as a correctional officer at a womans prison.  Of course when I started the job five years ago.....I got the job as a female.  Now being trans ftm.....I want to come out.  I came out to my fiance...and as I said I am living as a man at home.  At work...after five years....everyone knows me as a female.  At a womans prison...there is the part of the job where you strip search the woman...as a woman....as a man at a womans prison...you dont obviously.  I realize I have to start with the supervisor.....and then go from there....I just dont know how to go about it.  Maybe these are stupid questions....but coming out as trans...is a hell of a lot harder than coming out as gay.  I am ready....but I just dont know the best route to take.  I know there is going to be people that dont understand but that is there problem not mine.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated...and if I dont make any sense you all have my permission to let me know.

By the way as a side note.  I have never felt better since coming out to my fiance.  We have grown closer and our communication and every else is so much better.  Its like being reborn...and I look forward to the journey ahead.  This site is  great.

Jesse

Your therapist should be able to help prepare you, and I'd recommend taking advantage of that.

I used a fairly medical approach when I came out. First step is finding the right person - it could be your boss or it could be a human resources person. Then plan what you're going to say. I kept it pretty simple. Said I'd been going to a lot of appointments lately because I'd been diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder and that I'd already started taking testosterone and that they'd be noticing some changes in my voice and appearance.

They wanted a timeline and, of course, you can't really give them one about the changes on T, but you can say I'd like to begin working as male around <date> if that works for you. And tell them about any surgery dates you may have. I legally changed my name months before I began using my new name at work. That way I could do it all at once, change my ID and be known as Dennis everywhere.

Then of course there's the washroom issue. We had a gender neutral one so I said I'd use that while the transition was occurring. They may want you to stop assisting in strip searches as soon as you come out to them. Having done a few of those as a customs officer and hated it, that's probably a blessing

Dennis

Thanks Dennis. Yeah I am going to the therapist this Friday so I am definitely going to talk to her.  Yeah I know I have to start somewhere at work whether it be a supervisor or human resources.  I dont think I will have an issue.  Thank you.  I will let you know how it goes.  But I can tell you the night before I go back to work....I will be rehearsing what I am going to say forever.