Awesome Work Stories

SFFemmePrincess · 09-04-2010, 10:04 AM

So many times our Trans friends and family have really bad experiences in the workplace, but every now and again, someone will do the right thing and make work a great place to be. That is what happened yesterday, so I thought I would start a thread to talk about it and hear from others who have had good experiences just to have some light amidst the darkness.

So during the summer Logic and I work at Shoreline Amphitheatre which is a concert venue. When he first started last season, I asked our supervisor if there was any way she could refer to him by his chosen name rather than his birth name, even though he hasnt changed it legally yet. At that time she said unfortunatly she couldn't until we got the legal paperwork. So we just sorta sucked it up and went on.

Well last weekend in passing, we told one of our queer coworkers about it and she suggested that we talk to the supervisor that is in charge of making our badges and at the very least she would probably make him a new badge that had the right name on it. So as we were leaving we did, and I'm so glad.

We asked her if she could change his badge to say his chosen name until we made it official. She didn't even hesitate, took a new picture and made a note. We thought that would be it, and since the season is almost over, we would not push for more until next season. Especially since everyone knows us as Sarah and Sarah and kinda get a kick out of it. Then yesterday I get a call from one of my direct supervisors who when I answer the phone asks me "Am I speaking to Sarah or Tommy?" I was completely cought off guard, but excited. So when we got to work, we noticed that it is was changed on the paper that they use to check us in and she had his new badge ready. I asked her if she had spead that word and she said yes that she had told everyone, even the head guy at shoreline. And all of a sudden everyone started using it! No one even slipped all night! It was amazing! There weren't even any questions or anything! It was so refreshing and kind of shocking at how easy it was! It makes me so happy to work there!

So are there any other awesome stories about great work experiences?

kassykit · 09-04-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainbowchick07

So many times our Trans friends and family have really bad experiences in the workplace, but every now and again, someone will do the right thing and make work a great place to be. That is what happened yesterday, so I thought I would start a thread to talk about it and hear from others who have had good experiences just to have some light amidst the darkness.

So during the summer Logic and I work at Shoreline Amphitheatre which is a concert venue. When he first started last season, I asked our supervisor if there was any way she could refer to him by his chosen name rather than his birth name, even though he hasnt changed it legally yet. At that time she said unfortunatly she couldn't until we got the legal paperwork. So we just sorta sucked it up and went on.

Well last weekend in passing, we told one of our queer coworkers about it and she suggested that we talk to the supervisor that is in charge of making our badges and at the very least she would probably make him a new badge that had the right name on it. So as we were leaving we did, and I'm so glad.

We asked her if she could change his badge to say his chosen name until we made it official. She didn't even hesitate, took a new picture and made a note. We thought that would be it, and since the season is almost over, we would not push for more until next season. Especially since everyone knows us as Sarah and Sarah and kinda get a kick out of it. Then yesterday I get a call from one of my direct supervisors who when I answer the phone asks me "Am I speaking to Sarah or Tommy?" I was completely cought off guard, but excited. So when we got to work, we noticed that it is was changed on the paper that they use to check us in and she had his new badge ready. I asked her if she had spead that word and she said yes that she had told everyone, even the head guy at shoreline. And all of a sudden everyone started using it! No one even slipped all night! It was amazing! There weren't even any questions or anything! It was so refreshing and kind of shocking at how easy it was! It makes me so happy to work there!

So are there any other awesome stories about great work experiences?

That is awesome!!! thank you for sharing

Logicaly · 09-04-2010, 02:33 PM

Let me just post briefly on my experience of the above events.

I was shocked, when Rain had sent me a text at work at my other job and said they asked if it was Sarah or Tommy they where speaking to. I thought perhaps okay, maybe one person knew, and even then the acceptance of that sort of floored me at first.

Then when I got to work, and everyone made it a point to call me Tommy, and I saw that my paperwork for sign in had been changed to Tommy as well. I was like wow, so everyone knows. It was a very good feeling to know that was one less place I had to try and hide myself for the time being. It was an even better feeling to see such acceptance, without having to fight for it. I didn't have to explain, all I had to do was say hey, my name is Tommy.

Outside of this community here on this site, I have never really experienced that. I have one or two close friends who have always been very accepting of me, but it has always been the case with those that I met outside this site that they would question me, or not be completely accepting. So this was a first for me, having an entire group of people whom I respect and enjoy spending time with, just accept me.

So it was a great experience for me, and it warmed my heart, and boosted my confidence a bit, for the entire night I was a lot more out going with everyone, as I am sure Rain can atest to.

Brewcityboi · 02-06-2011, 10:24 AM

being openly trans in the work place has never been an easy thing for me. I've been harassed and even fired for my identity. 3 years ago I had my interview for the porn store, and even though its a porn store, i was really scared to even mention my identity.

One day i went into work. My 3 bosses and the big boss were waiting for me. (Lets just call her God because she can fire anyone at will). The told me that they needed to talk to me in the back room, so very slowly they walked me back there. We got into the back room and they closed the door at a snails pace. They then locked the door even more slowly. At this point i am losing my shit knowing that once again i'm going to get fired for it. They all told me to have a seat, and all my bosses sat in a circle around me.
God: Do you know why we brought you back here?
Me: because im in trouble for some reason?
God: Did you do something?
Me: Not that i know of?
God: Its come to our attention that you identify as transgenderd.
My brain: "F*ck! i knew this shit was going to happen! I can't afford to lose my job. shit shit shit!
Me: Yes i do

There is about 5 minutes of nothing but silence from them. At this point im nearly crying with how afraid i am of losing my job.

God and my other 3 bosses: Just so you know we are perfectly okay with it. We brought you back here because we want to know what we can do to make you more comfortable and to learn more about it so we dont offend you in any way shape or form.

Me: your not going to fire me?

Boss: We dont fire people for being themselves.

Me: *speechless* and at this point i cried from tears of happiness.

after that, we spent probably about 20 minutes talking about my identity and what its been like living as transgendered.

three years later, they still make fun of me for giving me a heart attack. I got my happy ending

Kaison · 04-11-2011, 06:29 PM

This is something I have experienced.

I once got a job at the London Ritz Hotel, many years ago.
I was female bodied back then and in the process of getting a referral to the gender clinic. It came to light that I was a transguy when I was asked what size skirt I wore for uniform purposes. To my horror I outed myself straight away and was put on gardening leave the next day for a week whilst an investigation was made.
I was fired the following week on the grounds that I had been less than frank at the interview.
So I did my research and it turned out gender was not a genuine occupational qualification (GOQ) Needles to say I took them to court and won.

I then settled in a company that was more than okay with my transition and even put my colleagues on diversity training. I had some grief from individuals but mostly it was all positive stuff.
I transitioned successfully with in this company.

I've recently started a knew job where nobody knows anything about my past. My transsexual identity is not all of me and it certainly doesn't effect the way in which I work the my ability to do my job.

09-04-2010, 10:04 AM	#1
SFFemmePrincess Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Lesbian Princess Preferred Pronoun?: Female Pronouns Relationship Status: Single but also non negotiably non monogamous Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area Gal! Posts: 142 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 47 Thanked 270 Times in 77 Posts Rep Power: 687705	Awesome Work Stories So many times our Trans friends and family have really bad experiences in the workplace, but every now and again, someone will do the right thing and make work a great place to be. That is what happened yesterday, so I thought I would start a thread to talk about it and hear from others who have had good experiences just to have some light amidst the darkness. So during the summer Logic and I work at Shoreline Amphitheatre which is a concert venue. When he first started last season, I asked our supervisor if there was any way she could refer to him by his chosen name rather than his birth name, even though he hasnt changed it legally yet. At that time she said unfortunatly she couldn't until we got the legal paperwork. So we just sorta sucked it up and went on. Well last weekend in passing, we told one of our queer coworkers about it and she suggested that we talk to the supervisor that is in charge of making our badges and at the very least she would probably make him a new badge that had the right name on it. So as we were leaving we did, and I'm so glad. We asked her if she could change his badge to say his chosen name until we made it official. She didn't even hesitate, took a new picture and made a note. We thought that would be it, and since the season is almost over, we would not push for more until next season. Especially since everyone knows us as Sarah and Sarah and kinda get a kick out of it. Then yesterday I get a call from one of my direct supervisors who when I answer the phone asks me "Am I speaking to Sarah or Tommy?" I was completely cought off guard, but excited. So when we got to work, we noticed that it is was changed on the paper that they use to check us in and she had his new badge ready. I asked her if she had spead that word and she said yes that she had told everyone, even the head guy at shoreline. And all of a sudden everyone started using it! No one even slipped all night! It was amazing! There weren't even any questions or anything! It was so refreshing and kind of shocking at how easy it was! It makes me so happy to work there! So are there any other awesome stories about great work experiences?

09-04-2010, 02:33 PM	#3
Logicaly Member How Do You Identify?: Transgender Male Preferred Pronoun?: Male Relationship Status: She is the gamer girl to my gamer boy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California, Bay Area Posts: 683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 395 Thanked 1,744 Times in 513 Posts Rep Power: 8641137	Let me just post briefly on my experience of the above events. I was shocked, when Rain had sent me a text at work at my other job and said they asked if it was Sarah or Tommy they where speaking to. I thought perhaps okay, maybe one person knew, and even then the acceptance of that sort of floored me at first. Then when I got to work, and everyone made it a point to call me Tommy, and I saw that my paperwork for sign in had been changed to Tommy as well. I was like wow, so everyone knows. It was a very good feeling to know that was one less place I had to try and hide myself for the time being. It was an even better feeling to see such acceptance, without having to fight for it. I didn't have to explain, all I had to do was say hey, my name is Tommy. Outside of this community here on this site, I have never really experienced that. I have one or two close friends who have always been very accepting of me, but it has always been the case with those that I met outside this site that they would question me, or not be completely accepting. So this was a first for me, having an entire group of people whom I respect and enjoy spending time with, just accept me. So it was a great experience for me, and it warmed my heart, and boosted my confidence a bit, for the entire night I was a lot more out going with everyone, as I am sure Rain can atest to. __________________ ~Logicaly~ Geeky guy extraordinaire Always and Forever

02-06-2011, 10:24 AM	#4
Brewcityboi Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Trans/queer/lesbian Preferred Pronoun?: He, she, whatever. Who cares? Just don't be mean. Relationship Status: Bitten by the love bug. :) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: milwaukee wi Posts: 43 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8 Thanked 72 Times in 21 Posts Rep Power: 57541	being openly trans in the work place has never been an easy thing for me. I've been harassed and even fired for my identity. 3 years ago I had my interview for the porn store, and even though its a porn store, i was really scared to even mention my identity. One day i went into work. My 3 bosses and the big boss were waiting for me. (Lets just call her God because she can fire anyone at will). The told me that they needed to talk to me in the back room, so very slowly they walked me back there. We got into the back room and they closed the door at a snails pace. They then locked the door even more slowly. At this point i am losing my shit knowing that once again i'm going to get fired for it. They all told me to have a seat, and all my bosses sat in a circle around me. God: Do you know why we brought you back here? Me: because im in trouble for some reason? God: Did you do something? Me: Not that i know of? God: Its come to our attention that you identify as transgenderd. My brain: "Fck! i knew this shit was going to happen! I can't afford to lose my job. shit shit shit! Me: Yes i do There is about 5 minutes of nothing but silence from them. At this point im nearly crying with how afraid i am of losing my job. God and my other 3 bosses: Just so you know we are perfectly okay with it. We brought you back here because we want to know what we can do to make you more comfortable and to learn more about it so we dont offend you in any way shape or form. Me: your not going to fire me? Boss: We dont fire people for being themselves. Me: speechless* and at this point i cried from tears of happiness. after that, we spent probably about 20 minutes talking about my identity and what its been like living as transgendered. three years later, they still make fun of me for giving me a heart attack. I got my happy ending __________________ "I am a witness to my resurrection" - Melissa Etheridge

04-11-2011, 06:29 PM	#5
Kaison Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Transmale Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK Posts: 12 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3 Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts Rep Power: 14	This is something I have experienced. I once got a job at the London Ritz Hotel, many years ago. I was female bodied back then and in the process of getting a referral to the gender clinic. It came to light that I was a transguy when I was asked what size skirt I wore for uniform purposes. To my horror I outed myself straight away and was put on gardening leave the next day for a week whilst an investigation was made. I was fired the following week on the grounds that I had been less than frank at the interview. So I did my research and it turned out gender was not a genuine occupational qualification (GOQ) Needles to say I took them to court and won. I then settled in a company that was more than okay with my transition and even put my colleagues on diversity training. I had some grief from individuals but mostly it was all positive stuff. I transitioned successfully with in this company. I've recently started a knew job where nobody knows anything about my past. My transsexual identity is not all of me and it certainly doesn't effect the way in which I work the my ability to do my job.