Acceptance

[I Am Paula]

As freelance sound and lighting engineer, at this time of year I get a lot of calls from schools. It's a nice break from my usual work with rock bands, and I enjoy working with the students. This year as the bookings and inquiries come in, I come out, and explain how it will be Paula working with them from now on, and whether this will make a difference to them. Many of them are religious schools.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. I have never felt so welcome, and accepted, as I was certain I was going to lose some of these clients. My job is very high visibility, from both students, and their parents.

To those of us who fear coming out at work, or to your clients, or customers, I've pasted in some excerpts from my correspondence.

Hello Paula! I am writing to you to say congratulations on your renaissance! I just spoke with Scott and shared your news. We are happy for you and understand that such a transition comes with much consideration and courage. Thank you for taking the time to write, it was thoughtful of you. We want you to feel assured that your change does not affect our working relationship in any way. We have always appreciated your expertise over the years and welcome Paula next time we see you!

I am happy for you and we all accept you and the new you!!! and by all means I do not feel singled out at all as being your bearer of news...perhaps it was meant to be that way? Happy to be a part of your new beginning and I look forward to working with you, as we all are...as we have in the past, we still do now!

Thank you for contacting me. I would love to work at graduation, as usual. I'm facing a busy year, so I'm glad you contacted me early.
Since you addressed me as Paula (thank you), you have heard about my new life, and presentation. I'm so glad to be able to continue at **.
Please up date your contacts as I have changed email. paulapykala@***.com

Hi Paula:
In conversation with *** today, it was brought to my attention that you requested an email from me to confirm your continued work with our school in your capacity with sound and related equipment.
Our work with you in the past has always been to our utmost satisfaction. You are welcome to continue in that capacity as needed by our school.
We all congratulate you, and always wish you the best.

I hope this gives some confidence to you girls who are considering coming out at work.

[diannega]

Congratulations Paula, and thanks for posting such positive news to all the girls out there. I was also real scared of coming out at work and was amazed at the results and I have very much received similar treatment from most people. Although I do think that there is a lot of different possibilities depending on the job one do, it is refreshing to see how much difference education made to the general public that TG's are just normal people who has been part of society for a long time, and we are not freaks nor dangerous. In my experience it is often the fact that people know nothing about TG's or have a serious misconception based on some misinformation that will be the drive behind the negative non-accepting ones.

In my workplace most was ok with it and there was a few that were non accepting. Even with that it has been a breeze and the accepting ones made a real effort to make me feel welcome and be one of the girls. Over time it was amazing to see how many of the non accepting people became accepting or at least tolerant as they got the correct information to replace their misconceptions and the more they saw a comfortable and happy women who does not look like a guy in a dress the more their resistance broke down also....

My advice is that it would help to be as fem as possible, dress well and appropriate as a lady your age and be comfortable and classy, and that package makes it very difficult for them not to accept!

[princessheather86]

I'm glad it went so well for you! I'm not working right now since I'm a full-time student... but I don't anticipate any problems with my college. It would be illegal for them to do anything against me, anyway. I'm more worried about my family.

[Barbie Anne]

Paula I can only imagine how good this must make you feel. Sounds as if there is overwhelming support and acceptance in not just your personal, but proffessional life as well.

Congratulations hon :)

[kimdl93]

Great and encouraging experiences!

[Jorja]

I know this has to feel good. As you continue, it won't even be a question asked anymore. You will just be Paula - Sound girl.

[Angela Campbell]

This mirrors my experiences of transition at work. So far there has been either complete acceptance including words such as "courage", or simply a professional attitude working with Angela to get issues solved. Not a single complaint, ill word, or even a funny look. The same responses I always experienced when I worked with them before.

Some of them actually opened doors for me and offered to help me with heavy items.