Getting Involved

[ReneeT]

I know we all differ in how involved we are in the greater trans community. *For me, i feel more in control *of my transition by being involved in the community socially as well as from an advocacy perspective. *Funny thing, though- i had never had any interest in advocacy or community involvement before i came to terms with me. *I guess i never had as much of a dog in the fight as i do now. *As an educated white male i was never part of a minority group. I sure am now!

Over the last year and a half i have become more involved with my company on diversity issues. *Early on, it was non-specific, serving on our coporate diversity council. *In the last 6-8 months, though, i have become more outspoken on lgbt issues, "T" in particular. *I have a healthcare background and work for a health services company, and naturally have an interest in trans health issues. *I am active on our LGBT colleague resource group and have been raising a number of *issues. *The NIH is considering adding LGBT people to the group defined as health disparities populations, and I wrote a letter to the director of the NIH on behalf of our company supporting this. *Our corporate chief diversity officer has taken notice and has been reaching out to me quite a bit lately. *We talked at length last week, and, while I have not transitioned at work yet, i gave enough clues that she can figure it out. *During our conversation we discussed he fact that our only openly trans employee, a physician who is very active in trans health issues, is leaving the company. *I said that we really do need to identify someone to fill her role, and she said, "I think that's you". *I did confide in her that, while i am very committed to these issues, it is a bit scary too. *She replied without hesitation, "I've got your back". I cannot tell you how reassuring that is! *While I have no illusions of how ifficult transitioning at work will be, it seems a little easier with this kind of support.

Two days later, yesterday morning, she called me to ask if i would go to Philly next Thursday to represent our company at the White House Conference on LGBT Health! *Of course i said yes! *I am so excited! *The pieces seem to be falling into place!

[Persephone]

Wow! That is great, Renee!

Hugs,
Persephone.

[LeaP]

Please post more on this topic as it progresses, Renee. I've had thoughts of something similar at work. I've gone as far as to check whether there is a "T" focus in the company's diversity efforts, and can't see any evidence of it.

You have had early transition discussions internally (e.g., with HR), have you not? What concerns me is people drawing conclusions before I'm ready, if not an inadvertent, outright outing.

Lea

[ReneeT]

Lea, i think that its a good idea for all of us to findout as much about our employers diversity policy, particularly related to trans issues, as you can. You maybe pleasantly suprised. If your company is large enough, it may have a published diversity policy. The Human Rights Campaign's annual Corporate Equality Index i also another good starting point.

I did have some "toe in the water" conversatins about ayear ago, but in hindsight that wasnt such a good idea because actual transition was too far off. I wasnt even on hrt yet. There havnt been any ramifications, but I wont have a focused conversation with HR again until 6 mos prior to ffs and full time (yikes-thats next year!). Between now and then I will continue to cultivate my relationship with our diversity chief.

This whole process at work has been quite empowering. 6 months ago I was planning on changing jobs with transition. Now - definately not! If I go asa result of my transition, it wont be quietly or voluntarily (unless the price is right! I have it from a good source that that can happen. She knows who I am talking about!). Really, all i really want is to do my job to the best of my ability, live as i truly am, and maybe help some others along the way.

[elizabethamy]

I have been afraid to get far enough out of the closet to follow your brave and good example, Renee, but last week yet another transwoman was killed on the street in DC for no reason other than ignorant hate. More of us need to summon what it takes to step up to the advocacy microphone, even though the personal cost might be high. Your example helps give me courage.

elizabethamy

[Starr]

Renee,

You will not only be a great representive for the company but also for the rest of us..

Jamie

[karenlong]

thats absolutely wonderful, congratulations, i hope all goes exactly as you want it

[Rianna Humble]

Our corporate chief diversity officer has taken notice and has been reaching out to me quite a bit lately. *We talked at length last week, and, while I have not transitioned at work yet, i gave enough clues that she can figure it out. *During our conversation we discussed he fact that our only openly trans employee, a physician who is very active in trans health issues, is leaving the company. *I said that we really do need to identify someone to fill her role, and she said, "I think that's you". *I did confide in her that, while i am very committed to these issues, it is a bit scary too. *She replied without hesitation, "I've got your back".

Her comments show what a good job you have been doing, congratulations Renee!

[LeaP]

If your company is large enough, it may have a published diversity policy. The Human Rights Campaign's annual Corporate Equality Index i also another good starting point.



It is (it's one of the largest companies in the world in its industry) and it does. It's also in the HRC Eq. Index, though the score isn't terribly high. The policy includes mention of gender expression. But there's nothing outside of that statement (aimed at the trans community, that is). No organization, activity, leadership sponsors, etc. I'm off for the next week and a half, but will do some additional digging when I get back.

Lea

[CharleneT]

you GO girl !!

I'm glad to hear of your standing up and helping to represent "T" issues at such high level!

:bighug2:

[Julia_in_Pa]

Hi Renee,

That's a wonderful honor that you were asked to represent your company in Philly.

As for my involvement in the trans community it has waned with each passing year of full time living.
It began with full immersion within the activist ranks in Montana and Denver and now it involves pretty much only financial support to various in state and national organizations.

It's not so much that I no longer wish to be involved as it is self preservation after years of getting "beat up" on the front lines.

Always be sure to check in with yourself as you help others Renee so you can continue to provide support as long as possible for those that need it and they are many indeed.

It's a wonderful honor bestowed upon you by your company and they could not have chosen a better spokesperson.


Julia

[AllieSF]

Congratulations Renne. You will make a great spokeswoman. Please do keep us up to-date on how all this progresses.

One of the things I love seeing, is when one can transition at their current place of work. I hear so many say that they want to look for a new company to start anew as their new "outed" self. I can understand and do believe that sometimes that is a good approach. However, if one works for a company with a decent HR policy, and where they have put in a lot of time learning the company, clients and their own job, as well as getting themselves recognized within the company as a good and valuable asset to the company, I think that over the long term they will have a more successful transition staying where they are and at the same time have the financial capabilities to move their transition along. Why go to a new company, as a newbie where you would need to prove yourself and your capabilities all over again and be transitioning with all that it entails at the same time?