My story of ME: I transitioned in 2001. When I did so I sought support and a "catching net" by seeking out PFLAG locally and double checking the non-discrimination policy at work. I transitioned on April 10, 2001 and everything went smoothly. I quickly learned though that PFLAG locally did not know what transgender was, and only one member had gone to one "class" at a PFLAG conference about transgender....no one knew what kind of creature I was. My choice, speak up and use my skills as a peer educator to create safe space for myself or go silent. Shortly later I was in a colleagues office at work. She offhandedly asked me/ commented that I could take her beau high heel shopping. When I pressed her about what she knew about me (because I had not revealed anything) I learned that our Vice President had, in confidence, outed me to her. I was betrayed. I could push at work, I could raise a stink Or, I could be quiet I do not do quiet very well. Also, change at work was a quantity that moved at the pace of frozen molasses. So, I began advocacy and education outside of work about trans realities. I took back control of my story by activating. I changed the venue and thereby brought myself some semblance of peace.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 05:07:26 +0000
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