Working as a crossdresser

[Ezekiel]

I've been wondering what type of jobs I could get when I go full time. I've heard that nightclubs or gay bars are nice options, but is it really all narrowed to this? I'd like to see what you think and if you have any idea about the subject. Comment please.

[Stephanie Miller]

When this subject has come up in the past it seems the thought pattern gravitates towards hair salons, clothing store sales etc. Places where we can be ourselves in the TG spectrum. Nothing wrong with that per say, I just think one should additionally add other options to their looking. For instance your own company. At home businesses like accounting, graphic design etc. These professions are outsourced all the time by other companies trying to keep their overhead down. You can wear what you want, whenever. If you think you stand a better chance of landing a client if you show up in drab then do so. Then fem out the rest of your life. If you want only clientele that are TG acceptable, and your comfortable to show up en fem, so be. Be your own boss.
But remember that in today's world there are plenty of companies that have very open transgender policies. Just do your on-line research or call prior to applying.
Just don't show up at one of my construction job sites in a dress and heels telling me a tool belt will clash with your fashion statement. Be workplace appropriate in your approach.

[Ezekiel]

I wish I had the money to start my own project and at the same time hormonal therapy, but right now I don't have the money for neither and I'm about to move for new opportunities in France, as the situation where I live now (Spain) is catastrophic. I sure like what you suggest, in the future I planned to start my own business given I get the money of course, but it won't be anytime soon unfortunately. I have good graphic skills by the way, but can't find a job really, its just terrible the situation in this country. Looking forward to more ideas of other members.

[Jenni Yumiko]

Programming, system engineering, development, most high technical jobs that I have seen lately allow telecommute.

[I Am Paula]

Musician. People have always assumed we're- Nuts, ecccentric, flambouyant, exhibissionistic, and quirky. What else could you want?-Celeste

[Beverley Sims]

I am not much help here, it has all been said.
Be tactful and go for a job appropriate to your outlook.

[Maria S]

It is hard enough to find a job nowadays. I have dreamt about a job with full time CDing but know it would just muddy the waters even more.

Maria

[bridget thronton]

I like to think that women can work any where - so if you are living full time job should not be dictated by clothing choice (assuming the employee is enlightened)

[Lorileah]

Since you are saying you will go full time, then the job market would be just like any job market for a woman. However, know that when you do go full time, you will be treated differently. You will lose money, status and privilege.

[Jodi]

Move to Palm Springs, CA. It is totally open for LGBT. I winter in Palm Springs so am familiar with it. Businesses in PS and the Cochella valley are desperate for competant, responsible workers. Note I said competant and responsible. If you are that and willing to work and come to work on time, an employer in PS would not care how you are dressed.

Jodi

[Badtranny]

Well.....

I have a pretty good job and it is decidedly NOT within the LGBT community. I would have a few choice things to say to someone who tried to tell me my only options for employment were as a cocktail waitress in a gay bar.

[kimdl93]

Well.....

I have a pretty good job and it is decidedly NOT within the LGBT community. I would have a few choice things to say to someone who tried to tell me my only options for employment were as a cocktail waitress in a gay bar.

I would suggest that one focus seeking a job that matches your skills, interests and education. Then, look for employers who have inclusive HR policies and practices.

[Amanda22]

Why don't you see all types of employment as possibilities? I think finding loyal, hard-working people is the goal and challenge of most employers, regardless of the candidate's gender expression. I don't know if you would personally feel awkward, however, and that should be considered.

[arbon]

When you talk about full time I assume you mean legally changing your name and transitioning? If you are living as a woman go after any job you want. But if you mean you are dressing full time but still with a guys name / identity - as a crossdresser - then I think it is going to be harder.

[stepanie]

I was in San Fran a few months ago and ate in a resturant that one of us was working. I have know idea at what stage of crossdressing or transition this person was in but it was obvious they were MTF. Just sayin, I noticed as did my wife.

[AngelaKelly<3]

If you find a job that allows you to work from home, then that would be a good solution :)

[Diversity]

Don't limit yourself. How about the fields of administration, travel, and perhaps owning your own business. What education and business skills do you possess? Go for what you want to do, and do not limit yourself. Good luck!
Di

[Memzy]

Interesting. I think this kind of depends on what area you live in. Las Vegas seems to have a high tolerance towards things that are "not of the norm" I currently work at a University in IT, I deal with students face to face every day, and I am in the beginning stages of transition, and no one has an issue with it. If anything, they are just curious.

I suppose it would be rather hard if the person in question lived in say... Houston Texas, or the south in Alabama. It's a difficult question to answer! I would assume private businesses might be more accepting. I also believe that your mannerism and how you prevent yourself also plays a huge part.. Are you busting in there with a wig, a dress and a five-o-clock shadow? Or are you clean shaven, and nicely done up to look presentable. [. . I don't mean to come off the wrong way with that comment] There's just so many variables! I also don't know the general mentality of Spain towards the T/CD society. When you say full time, do you mean you're transitioning [TS] or just cross-dressing full time?

[Stephanie47]

In Washington State the laws are very favorable for the transgender community in employment, housing, etc. However, legal protection does not mean anything, IF you cannot get your foot in the door. Cross dressers are such a small percentage of the sexual minority spectrum and a cross dresser will usually stick out like a sore thumb, it is difficult to point out discrimination as long as it is not blatant.

I would recommend you do not broadcast your desire to work in a cross dressing mode until you pass any probationary period in the employment. If your presentation disturbs your superiors or they consider you to be disruptive to the work place, they can fire you without breaking the law.

Once you're entrenched in the job and perform to their expectations, it is more difficult to terminate someone. If you intend to medical transform from man to female, that really becomes more protected as a medical/psychological issue.

There are not too many places that a 'recreational' cross dresser would be welcomed. Again, my state is very protective of cross dressers, but, I've never heard of any 'recreational cross dresser' exercising his rights. Yes, there are cases where a man is transitioning, but, that is a totally different issue.

[Karren H]

I've heard that nightclubs or gay bars are nice options, ..

Nice options if you want to be poor the rest of your life..... imho... go get a job based on you capabilities not on what clothing they wear....

[JeanneF]

I think a lot of people seem to have tunnel vision about what jobs a transperson can have. As long as the company that you're working for is open to gender diversity, you can do whatever you want. My wife works for a Fortune 100 company in their HR department, and one of her co-workers is in the middle of her transition. She was hired in to the company as a transitioning person, so clearly they do not discriminate based on gender identity. I also have a friend who was an outside sales rep for a major industrial supply company. When she decided to transition, her and her bosses made the decision that it would be better for her to do inside sales (in the office, over the phone) until she felt fully comfortable in her new role. That took a couple of years and now she's back as an outside rep. She hasn't had SRS yet, but she's in a sales position where she's meeting with customers every day.

At my company, I'm fairly certain one of my (genetic female) mechanics is going to transition as some point. She's still currently presenting as female (at least at work), but the scuttlebutt I've heard from my service manager is that she is trans and it's just a matter of time.

[kellycan27]

As already mentioned it s a hard question to answer without more information such as education and skill level.

[CynthiaD]

I once heard a story about an engineer who went to work with a sock from the dryer stuck to the back of his shirt. When he came home, the sock was still there, because nobody thought it was important enough to mention it to him.

Perhaps you should try engineering.

[larry]

abgender.com/employment

[Ezekiel]

Nice replies, thanks for contribution, its helpful to know some areas are more "tolerant" regarding this. Now to answer questions you have about me:

First, I identify as male and don't plan transition, I am not transsexual, however I do plan to enhance my looks with hormones or surgery if I need it. When I say full time, I mean full time crossdresser.

Second, my education is right now pretty basic except for the fact that I'm quite skilled as 3d designer / graphic artist, no credentials though as I've been autodidact with this. I also speak various languages: Portuguese, English, some Arabic (given my mother background, I could learn some), Catalan (which is only useful in Catalonia) and of course Spanish. I will pursue more studies but not right now, I'm quite desperate for money.

Third, I've been unemployed for more than a year and I have little experience, employers won't hire me because of this and for the fact that they are mostly firing people everywhere. The economic stagnation the country is facing is forcing a lot of people close their business, they can't pay their workers and everybody ends up with nothing on their hands. A lot can't confront debts with banks or state and they are getting expropriated, I'm myself in this situation as neither me nor my family is employed as of now, and because of this we are all moving to France to seek better opportunities and see if we can pay the bank before they decide to kick us out of our home. Its pretty bad, but we are lucky in the fact that we can live with my grandparents for the time we need to be employed by someone, some people doesn't even have this option. Emigrating is a must for us, but since I don't plan to be stuck in this situation all my life, I ask for a job where I could work as a full time crossdresser, sooner or later I will be on hormones and I will look unusual for my gender, so yes I really need ideas.

Your help is being appreciated really, hope this answers shape more any idea you'd wish to share.

[JenniferR771]

I agree with Stephanie, self-employment has some important advantages. Study up on it. Learn some business. Find out what legal steps you might have to take. Independent graphic design. Advertising design. Web design and build.
I was self-employed for 20 years. I did not dress at my work. But sometimes stopped to take a few enfemme photos. Always had my clothes in my vehicle.

[lingerieLiz]

I understand your plight. If you have some artisitic capability work at it. Skilled trades make money in hard times whild others suffer.

[Jilmac]

I'm sure there are many businesses besides the traditional beauty salon, dress shop, etc. When I was driving truck for a local hauler, a person was being interviewed and was wearing a denim skirt and tank top, but the person was clearly a guy. I think he was hired to work on a later shift. Once when I picked up a delivery at the FedEx terminal, I talked to a person who was either a crossdresser or was in transition, she said she's been working there about six years. I think it all depends on how the prospective employer sees ones work potential and judges the person on past experience and not the clothes.

[Allison Chaynes]

Until last week I worked for a large transportation company. I regularly saw CD's and TG ladies driving trucks. One even wrote a book on Amazon called "Confessions of a Female Truck Driver."

[Ezekiel]

Really? I would have never ventured into thinking that there were CDs / TGs working in those environments. Transport business is not my thing though, but I would not care as long as I can be tolerated the way I am.

[darla_g]

I was just reading online that unemployment in Spain is the highest since the 1930s. I would worry about a job first and seeing if they were tolerant of you dressing afterwards.

[María José]

I was just reading online that unemployment in Spain is the highest since the 1930s. I would worry about a job first and seeing if they were tolerant of you dressing afterwards.

That´s the point!

The problem in Spain now is to get a work, not to be transgender.

I live in Spain. I know transexual girls who are officer in the army, worker in a factory, lawyer, owner of a bar, sales atendant, protographer, doctor, office cleaner ...

[linda allen]

I was just reading online that unemployment in Spain is the highest since the 1930s. I would worry about a job first and seeing if they were tolerant of you dressing afterwards.

Yep. If you don't soon find a job you will be out on the street and starving. Get a job, then worry about the dressing.

Trying to find a job where you can be a guy but dress like a woman, you're just making it harder on yourself. Any prospective employer would rather have "normal" employees.

[Ezekiel]

Yep. If you don't soon find a job you will be out on the street and starving. Get a job, then worry about the dressing.

Trying to find a job where you can be a guy but dress like a woman, you're just making it harder on yourself. Any prospective employer would rather have "normal" employees.

Yes thats what I'm currently doing, the point is that after I get a job and money, I will need to find a place where I will be accepted in the future. Hopefully the job I find could be that place, but what if not? Thats why I'm asking, I'm curious, I'm gathering information for my future.

[Loni]

all states have some kind of anti discrimination laws. but the big problem is how the "other" workers would treat you. no law can force them like or work with you.

but as a woman expect less everything for the same job.
physically (pending the "norm" injury, etc) any man / woman can do most jobs out there. but do you want a 90 pound woman as a firefighter? as when they are required to get a 200 pound person out of a burning building? could they do it? .but how is the industry in that field? most all one gender, or very mixed genders? as i do not work in a steel mill but how many lady's work in the foundry? so close to molten metals? are there really that many "guys" doing hair? must they be gay? can any out there say there hair dresser is a transgenderd lady/guy?

sure where i work the company has a anti discrimination policy. (required by LAW)..but if it was found out about my interests i could not go back there for my next shift.

if a company or group of people forced to "like" what you do..do they really? would that company/group really do everything possible to help you? or just do lip service?

if you come out at work, new job, be ready and be safe.

who knows you could find a bunch of new and great friends.
.

[Maria S]

When I read through these posts I realise how much harder it is for a CDing person to find a job. Also I get the feeling that there is a difference between USA and UK. For instance Jodi says Palm Springs is totally open for LGBT etc. Even in Brighton which is one of the most LGBT friendly places in the UK I think a CDer would even struggle to get a job clearing tables in a cafe. Transgender might have slight advantage but my guess is they too would not find it easy.

Maria

[jjjjohanne]

If you want to crossdress at work, find a company that is expressing their diversity. Search for jobs and diversity on the web. Large companies try to declare their stance toward diversity.

[Momarie]

Since you are saying you will go full time, then the job market would be just like any job market for a woman. However, know that when you do go full time, you will be treated differently. You will lose money, status and privilege.

Sadly, you are probably right Lorileah.

And of course, you must have excellent references, a good work history, skills and be qualified....even if you're goals are to be bars.

It's not as as easy or "glamorous" as you might think.

[NathalieX66]

I'm happy and lucky that I wear plastic C-shaped hair bands in a deeply conservative "sports jock" sales environment. My hair is now below my collarbone.

[celeste26]

Given the spread of the so called "right to work" (which really means a right to fire without cause) all the diversity laws cannot stop someone who is fired for CD because it would have to be proven and as long as they keep their stories straight will never be fined.
I would always suggest getting the job first and keeping it to yourself.