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Lady_Chaos
06-17-2011, 07:06 AM
Hi,

I was referred to this place by a friend who is a Doctor for some support, I hope you guys can help with my predicament.

Work background:
I am a professional Mining Engineer and work in a office located above a rather deep metal mine. 90% of my work is done from my office, 10% is by underground site visits. I have been under dressing for many months when only in the office. Underground I am all male as the locker rooms and showers are all open. The city I live in has 10,000 people, mostly older generation.

My start:
Some friends at work know I CD, including my bosses boss (she is a GG).
So, recently (3-4 months ago) I decided to tell the Head HR (GG) about my cross dressing because I wanted to go to work in skirts and heels. To my shock (after her shock) she said she would look into it and see how it can be done safely (our harassment policy covers everything). A few weeks later she found a specialist who would perform sensitivity training ... from there things started to progress. I have met this specialist who has helped other TG change into the workforce, I am his first CD though ...

After meeting him I was a bit unsure of many things, including if I was just a CD or something more. He recommended me to see a licensed Doctor to perform a test to confirm everything. I will probably go to see one. I currently see a psychologist (not a doctor) and we are trying to map things out. She is unsure if it is just the clothes, she also feels it is something more.

My question is if any other professional person anywhere has decided to go to work dressed as a woman, what was it like?

I do not wear makeup or wigs ... so it would be a bit different (I have a 5'oclock shadow 3-4hours after I shave). I have stepped outside fully dressed twice (in the past 2 weeks) wearing pants, but all the trimmings and my red purse.
I am still fairly young at 27 and would like some experiences from the experienced ladies. I was rushing this but I have decided to step back and re-evaluate everything (the safety thread in this forum was one of the reasons for that!).

If you want more detail about everything I can post (I didn't want to make it too long right off the bat).

PS - Can I post a link to deviantart (free art gallery site) to showcase my wardrobe (wasn't sure if this was ok as per the rules)? Could this be in my signature or only in the photo section?

Karren H
06-17-2011, 07:24 AM
Wow... Since there are only 3000 of us mining engineers in the US... I may know you! Lol. SMe member? Personally I don't dress when I go underground. Just in case there is an accident and I have to rely on others to get me out of the mine. I do some dressing in the office. And of coarse I always dress on business trips. I don't shower with the miners. But everyone on me ice hockey team has seen my hairless body and large breasts. And its not an issue

I think that many of my coworkers and supervisors know I dress from the comments. All good, never derogatory. I wouldn't want to fully dress here just because it would disrupt things and where I work is a fantastic place to work! .

Lady_Chaos
06-17-2011, 07:31 AM
I am in Canada, we might run into each other somewhere in the future (that would be cool! - no not a SMe member)! I really wish there were high heel steel toed boots! I would fall in love with them!

I don't dress underground as well for the same reason but the staff showers are all shared and open... I am with discussions with the specialist and the head HR about taking a bra and skirt out of my clean locker with other staff around... lol

What kind of dressing do you do in the office? How was the first few days, any support from management?
Large breasts? (sorry I cannot see your profile yet). Do you still dress as a man elsewhere?

Danni Renee
06-17-2011, 07:33 AM
Well I am not experienced at going out in female mode (yet) I do want to congratulate you on your courage to step forward and be yourself. I look forward to reading more from your experiences.

gender_blender
06-17-2011, 07:39 AM
I too am an engineer. Electrical Engineer at a Naval Shipyard. I work in an office on base and have long hair, long acrylic nails, shaped eyebrows, and feminine attire. Work pays for steeltoe shoes and I wear these sweet pink steeltoe sneakers by Sketchers. :)

Karren H
06-17-2011, 07:46 AM
I am in Canada, we might run into each other somewhere in the future (that would be cool! - no not a SMe member)! I really wish there were high heel steel toed boots! I would fall in love with them!

I don't dress underground as well for the same reason but the staff showers are all shared and open... I am with discussions with the specialist and the head HR about taking a bra and skirt out of my clean locker with other staff around... lol

What kind of dressing do you do in the office? How was the first few days, any support from management?
Large breasts? (sorry I cannot see your profile yet). Do you still dress as a man elsewhere?

I have femininzed the male business suit. And wear lingerie including a corset... Female shoes, light makeup, jewelry. When on business trips I will be enfemme most of the time unless I have to go to a meeting or go underground. A few more posts and you can see profiles and PM people..

Gillian Gigs
06-17-2011, 09:26 AM
I work in an industrial environment and safety clothing is the same whether you are male or female. I have worked in a smelter, and the women were dressed the same in their outer wear as men, as per safety requirements. Hair had to be pinned up, and both sexes looked about the same. Now, I am in the oil and gas sector, and there safety requirements include your undergarments also. Due to explosion flash risks, you are not allowed to wear anything but cotton under your protective safety clothing. OH&S makes these rules and we have to live by them. What you wear to and from work is another story. Good luck, I hope things go well with you.

Lady_Chaos
06-17-2011, 11:11 AM
Thanks Danni for the support :)

Charlie; were you always pretty when you started work or was there a change?

Thanks Karren for your experiences, looks as there is still hope in the mining industry to be myself!

Gillian - I presume you are in the oil sands. That sucks but safety is always first. Every morning I change into safety boots and reflective vest + hat and glasses when I go visit the operations side. I guess I have some luck that the rest of my clothes can be whatever; soon to be skirts and heels :D