Isha's First Day at Work

[Marcelle]

Hi all,

Well today marks my very first day at work presenting as a woman. It was handover day, meaning death by presentations as to what the section members who work for me do. The whole section has already met Marcelle (Isha) a few weeks back in a social setting but today was the first time they interacted with me in a work environment, not the mention the rest of the building. The education piece provided to the building helped immensely and while there were a few odd looks from some (mainly quizzical), people were respectful, polite and professional. My subordinates used the proper gender titles (Ma’am vice Sir) without so much as missing a beat. I met with the Director General of the section and she welcomed me and affirmed that I would be treated professionally and with respect irrespective of what gender I choose to present. :)

I have to admit, I have been out in public for over a year now and rarely do I feel nervous or hesitate when I enter a venue of choice. However, this time I actually had to pause and collect myself at the entrance to the building as I felt as nervous as my first trip out into the Vanilla world but, I survived and am now back home emotionally exhausted. Fortunately, the person I was a replacing (a good friend) was there to provide support and a bit of a pep talk to get me back in the game. For the most part, boring briefings, shop talk and paperwork . . . sorry no cocktails or dancing, just boring old work :). However, I do have one humorous tale from today . . . As I do not have a building pass yet, I had to hand in my identification in exchange for a visitor's pass. When I was leaving the guard on duty pulled my ID from the slot to exchange it back for the building pass. He looked at me, then the card, back to me then back to the card and said “Marcel G*****” to which I replied “Trust me it is me”. He looked at the card again “But it says male?” to which I responded “Yes that is me” and then the lights went on and he handed over the card with a polite “Have a nice weekend Ma’am”. :)

I have attached a few photos of what I wore that day. I decided to keep it neutral and not too flashy as there was no sense in scaring everyone with a bright patterned dress. Now, I know there are skeptics out there who might read my posts and think “She said she went to work but anyone can say they went to work” :raisedeyebrow:. So for the skeptics, I have provided two photos. One outside the building where I will be working and the other is me in the briefing room after four hours of briefings. I don’t normally take pictures in public as it seems like a bit of a combat indicator . . . look at me the TG person over here not to mention these are horrible pics as it is just point and click, not posing, no lighting fixes . . . super ugly gal on display if you know what I mean :eek:. However, in this instance, I was thinking some may want proof of life.:battingeyelashes: . . . so voila.



Cheers

Isha

[Ineke Vashon]

Congratulations, Isha. Hopefully, your courage is catching.

Ineke

[LeslieSD]

Great achievement! I see you as a true trail blazer. I wish I could do that some day.

[Donnagirl]

Congrats Isha, that really is a remarkable achievement. It's difficult to believe how far you've come and what an inspiration you've been. You know I've followed your journey, figuratively and to an extent literally but there's no way I can keep up. My employer is not so accomodating as yours, happy for Donna to show up, but it's a case of no going back... All or nothing, so, with the exception of a few social gatherings, it's boy me in the work environment, for now anyway.
So.... the question remains, where to from here??? What's your next goal?? We booking adjoining rooms in Thailand :eek:

[Jessica5536]

Wow, that sounds amazing. Congrats on finding place is so accepting.

[Allisa]

All your hard work has finally paid off, congrats. I never doubted you would do it, great pics but not needed for my sake.

[SharonDenise]

Congratulations, Isha! I'm a fan of yours!
Sharondenise

[justmetoo]

Great casual/professional outfit! I can understand how nerve-wracking it could be! That's a whole new situation from going out in the standard vanilla world outside of your workplace.

Regarding the guard - and you say you don't pass! :) (being a bit cheeky; it's possible he thought you were tg, but who knows)

[Samantha2015]

Congratulations Isha. I can only imagine how great you must feel being accepted at your job.
That must have been a weight lifted off your shoulders when you found out they were ok with it.
Continued best wishes to you.

[Tora]

Well done, very professional look.... Bravo!

[ErikaS]

Way to go Girl you look Fab, Hope you had a wonderful work day.

Erika

[Kate Simmons]

I'm glad it was a positive experience my friend. You know I've never doubted you or would I ever as I can tell from your heart you are a person of integrity. Carry on Ma'am. :thumbsup::)

[Christina Kay]

Congratulations Isha. So happy you've come so far. Keep smiling .
Hugs Christina:battingeyelashes:

[Candice June Lee]

Beautiful Isha, really beautiful. Yay for you.

[Sarah Doepner]

Thank you Ma'am. You've done well and deserve all the praise that will fall your way.

[Tracii G]

Isha we are all proud of you!!

[Michelle789]

Isha, I am very proud of you and very happy for you!!! This is a huge step forward. I'm glad your co-workers were polite and respectful. I look hearing more about your gender journey.

[grace7777]

Congratulations Isha! Also, you look very nice.

It is a goal of mine to be able to someday be able to go to work presenting as a woman.

[Tristessa]

Wow, congratulations Isha! I hope you are appropriately celebrating this amazing accomplishment!

[heatherdress]

Congratulations, Isha. I am so very happy for you. You look terrific - and very happy yourself.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Isha, It looks like you are really living the dream.:hugs:

[Bria]

Isha/Marcelle, I'm very happy for you, I think that you choose a very good outfit for the day, looks like a girl to me, little or no makeup, but this is work not a social outing.

Is this the new assignment that you mentioned a while back?

I find it interesting that you were nervous going in the door for the first time, but after I thought about it, it makes sense, it is a bit like going to the mall the first time, a new place, but with people that you know/are known to.

Keep it up, you are an inspiration to us all. But, we should expect our favorite military officer to be a great leader!!

Hugs, Bria

[DW]

Looking very happy! Keep up the good work.

[Pat]

Absolutely cool! It speaks highly of you that you persevered to this point and it speaks highly of your siblings-in-arms that they have apparently taken it in their professional stride. I'm honestly thrilled to be a (far removed) witness to this all. Thanks for sharing it all with us and I hope there are many more accomplishments you can wow us with in the future.

[Rachael Leigh]

You look great Isha, sounds like a very nice day. So happy it all worked out
Leigh

[Princess Chantal]

Hiya Isha,
Just like many people on the forum, you have put a smile on my face with all your successes (many not even for personal gain!) Way to go and Thank you!

[paulaprimo]

congrats to you isha, we are all so very proud of you.
keep up the good work and the sky is the limit for you now... :)

[TrishaLake]

Congrats you look great...I love your posts...and you are very brave

[Suzie Petersen]

Good for you Isha! That was a good day!

Hugs
Suzie

[Christina Page]

Congratulations Isha! People like you make me proud to be Canadian.

[MonctonGirl]

In the immortal words of Neil Armstrong when he landed on the moon:

"That's one small step for..."

Oh, wait ... probably not the best quote.

[Julie Denier]

So very cool! Congrats ;)

[Gretchen_To_Be]

You are remarkably brave! I salute you.

[Amy Fakley]

Wow! That is literally amazing, Isha!
I can hardly believe such a thing is possible.
We'll done. Thank you for blazing a trail some of us may even follow some day.

[ChristinaK]

Isha, you are a true inspiration. I have worked with the Canadian Army and know they are about as hard core as the American Army. Don't know how you worked up the courage. I'd rather be storming a building than what you do.

Thank you for pushing the envelope as we would say in the Air Force. You reflect credit upon yourself and uh, the rest of us girls that are in or have been in the service of of our nations.

Your thoughts and advice are always admired and welcomed here.

[victoria76]

That's great, Isha! :)

[Suzanne F]

Isha
My hero! Isha you just are simply the best. As you know my last hurdle will be work;". The day I stop and gather myself at the front door I will think of you and your courage. It has been a privilege watching your journey!
Suzanne

[bridget thronton]

I hope each day forward goes as well

[Debb]

Isha:

Nonsense, you look great! Kudos to you for being yourself. Well done, girl.

[Kevyn53]

I'm so happy for you that you're able to be accepted in your workplace. If we all could be so transitional!

[GretchenJ]

Hey Isha,

it is always nice when all the work one puts in is finally rewarded with the end result. Congratulations on your real first day out , one which I have not yet achieved, where you didn't go shopping or walk around, but put in a full work day as Isha, getting the respect that you deserve from you colleagues. A great day for you indeed.

[Camille15]

Congrats, Isha!! I think you looked great for your first day at the office presenting as a woman. And I'm so happy to hear that it went off without a hitch. Excellent job, Ma'am!

Camille

[Claire Cook]

Hi Isha,

You are such an inspiration for all of us! We're so glad that it seemed to have gone so well -- warmest congratulations indeed. Yes, you indeed look very business like .. and the story about the security guard says a lot.

Like Donna, we look forward to developments.

Warm hugs,

Claire

[Tina B.]

Well done girl, but how long did it take to pick out the outfit you where going to wear for the first time at work? How ever much time it took it was well worth it, you look great, very office looking, as if it all comes natural, oh wait, for some of us it does come natural!
I thought we where going to get to see you in a new uniform, is that still to come?

[Brandi01]

Congratulations Isha. Very happy for you.

[Marcelle]

Hi everyone,

Thanks much for your kind comments and support. I have to admit, it all seems like a bit of dream now and thinking back to yesterday, I still smile at how natural and great it felt. But oh so tiring and emotionally draining. There were things I did not even think about such as critical make-up fail. While laser beard removal has helped along the cheek and throat area, my goatee zone is still quite dark and coarse (work in progress). Because I live far removed from the city where I work, I start my day at 4:00 AM with my morning run which means make-up is applied by 6AM. By 3PM it was beginning to bleed through and I still had a long and very public transit journey back to my car on the opposite side of the city. Needless to say, I learned to ensure I pack a "critical make-up fail kit" in my purse the next time. Spending the day using my facsimile of a female voice took its toll and by the end of the day, I sounded more like Greta Garbo with a very bad chest cold :).

For now I will keep things to Fridays with the option of dressing other times during the week should my dysphoria become a bit intense. The uniforms are still working their way through the administrative system but it is my intention to have both gender uniforms at my disposal so as not be different from my subordinates or peers (uniform on uniform days and civilian clothing on Friday). I am sure there are other things I did not think about but then again that is how one learns :)


.... the question remains, where to from here??? What's your next goal?? We booking adjoining rooms in Thailand :eek:

Hi Donna,

I would say my next goal is to integrate "working out" in the building gym on those days I identify as a woman. Now I am not talking about hard core aerobic workouts . . . goodness my make-up would melt off my face :eek: but, strength and core weight training. I don't have access to the women's changing facility and to be honest going into the men's change room while presenting female would be just weird. Fortunately, there is a single stall bathroom with a shower (handicap access) by the gym which I have been given permission to use. I just have to get comfortable wearing women's workout clothing in such a public setting . . . so that is my next goal. WRT to Thailand . . . hmmm . . . unless we are going to enjoy the food and sights . . . not likely at this time :battingeyelashes:


. . . Is this the new assignment that you mentioned a while back? I find it interesting that you were nervous going in the door for the first time, but after I thought about it, it makes sense, it is a bit like going to the mall the first time, a new place, but with people that you know/are known to.

Hi Bria,

Yes it is the new assignment I was talking about which drags me back to my parent military occupation (Military Psychologist). Very research oriented and policy/management driven but it will be a nice change of pace from what I have been doing for the last 10 years.

You are correct. Going out in public where the potential of running into someone you know is possible, is one thing. Going into a building where you know a large percentage of the people not to mention, everyone was informed this would be my first day and most likely looking for me . . . well very nerve wracking to say the least. But like any trip in public, once I found my comfort zone and just began to interact as me, things calmed and went well.

Cheers all

Isha (Marcelle)

[JamieG]

Fantastic! Thank you for being on the vanguard, Isha. Going into work en femme is something I would love to do, but don't have the courage for myself. I'm sure that you will be opening many minds on your "not-so casual" Fridays.

[Lacey New]

Isha,
I read that Caitlyn Jenner was being considered for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. I think it should go to you instead. Jenner has millions of $$$ and lives in the Hollywood bubble. You, on the other hand are a career commissioned officer in the military. The military, by its nature is one of the most testosterone filled organizations anywhere yet you have gained acceptance and respect of your group. And you've done it without being on the cover of Vanity Fair and surrounded by Hollywood sycophants. Congratulations and we all salute you!
Lacey

[Michelle 78]

Congratulations Isha so pleased for you, we have all followed you on this amazing journey and you really are an inspiration to us all. Look forwards to Isha's next milestone!!

[KittyD]

This is so Awesome Isha... Big smile on my face for you... Just so Awesome :D

Kate

[Krisi]

Congratulations. I hope it continues to go well.

[steftoday]

awesome news, Isha. congratulations on what you have done thus far!

[flatlander_48]

I:

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Continued success to you!

DeeAnn

[kimdl93]

I admire your courage and resolve. And you looked really nice in the selected outfit!

[Angie G]

You go girl that's awesome hun.:hugs:
Angie

[Henriette7]

Dear Isha

I will start by saying "Wow" and very a big congratulations to you. That some of an achievement you have done for the last year. I know you already are proud of your journey and that's fully earned, deserved and with my deepest respect. You inspire us all with your always wise way of "doing things", so who other than you should this success go to. :-)

I wish you all the best, and remember to always feed us with "the Isha way of doing things" :-)

All the best
Henriette

[Jamie Lynn]

Congratulations and glad your day went well, Isha!

[Katey888]

Great progress again Isha.... :cheer:

I do look forward to seeing how (or if) this develops over time as you cycle back and fro... as in: between male and female presentation - I don't think you'll be bicycling to work looking as smart as you do! ;)

Katey x

[charlenesomeone]

Congrats on a great day. It's awesome how much you have achieved.

[Alice Torn]

You look great in that outfit! Way to go!

[Pat]

There were things I did not even think about such as critical make-up fail. ... By 3PM it was beginning to bleed through and I still had a long and very public transit journey back to my car on the opposite side of the city. Needless to say, I learned to ensure I pack a "critical make-up fail kit" in my purse the next time.

"Makeup fail" makes it sound like something that can't be planned for. But it sounds pretty predictable. Maybe keep an electric razor in your desk and some time mid-afternoon, slip into a handicapped bathroom, get a fast muzzle-razoring and touch up with foundation and be on your way? And since it's a planned thing, there's less stress -- you don't have to worry if it's going to happen -- it's part of your day.

[JessicaJHall]

Perfect outfit, you look smashing, not "ugly" at all! Stylish, yet professional, with a touch of cute. Thanks for keeping us posted!

[Fortuneta]

Very proud of you...you are a real inspiration for us. Thank God for YOU!
Fortuneta

[Brenda Locke]

A very conservative look Isha. Congratulations. I don't think a little more bling would of hurt though.
Just my 2cents. Keep up the good work, as a retired CF Member I wish you well.

Hugs Brenda

[Catherine383]

You should be proud of yourself, Isha! Your outfit looks wonderful!

[Giselle(Oshawa)]

Isha you look like a professional woman which of course you are sis
well done and congrats!

[Heidi Stevens]

Looks like another big step went well, Isha! As you can see by the number of replies, we are all behind you! I'm retired, so no real chance like this for me (though two trans women work there today!)
I'm so glad that the Canadian Government is being progressive on this and you are taking advantage of the situation. Glad every thing went fine

[Marcelle]

Hi all,

Again thanks much for all your kind replies and support. I think my next day at work will include a bit more colour in the outfit choice . . . nothing over the top but a bit more flair yet still professional. :battingeyelashes:



I read that Caitlyn Jenner was being considered for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. I think it should go to you instead. Jenner has millions of $$$ and lives in the Hollywood bubble. You, on the other hand are a career commissioned officer in the military.

Hi Lacey,

While it did take a bit of a stiff upper lip to walk into the building, I am really building the work of many a TS individual who came out in the late 90s and paved the way. I do differ a bit in that I don't identify TS but gender fluid . . . still thanks for the compliment :).


. . . I don't think you'll be bicycling to work looking as smart as you do! ;)

Hi Katey,

LOL . . . now that would be an early day as I live 60 kilometers from work. However, I think I would be in awesome shape by the time winter came. :)


. . . Maybe keep an electric razor in your desk and some time mid-afternoon, slip into a handicapped bathroom, get a fast muzzle-razoring and touch up with foundation and be on your way? And since it's a planned thing, there's less stress -- you don't have to worry if it's going to happen -- it's part of your day.

Hi Jennie,

Great idea! I think I will go razor shopping and find something portable that I can keep at work.

Cheers all

Isha (Marcelle)

[Jazzy Jaz]

I really admire the courageous work you are doing for our community! All of us have a potential role to play in creating awareness and acceptance of tg people, but some really come out as leaders and charge ahead and I congratulate you for your strength and stamina to do so, im sure we are all very greatful to you.

[Rhonda Darling]

Isha:

You're blazing a new trail for all of us. The ability to go to work in either boy or girl mode is awesome. Among other things, it lets the vanilla world know about crossdressers, as distinguished from someone living full time in femme mode, and that we deserve respect and to be treated as the gender we present as at any given time. The fact that you've accomplished this within the Canadian military is icing on the cake.

We we need to get you a publicist and out on the talk show circuit. It's great that the media is interviewing and writing articles about those who transition and live full time, but this is the perfect time to present the CDs of the world as a large, viable population that is due equal rights and acceptance.

I hereby present you with the Trailblazer award. Congratulations. You should do a Ted talk, by the way.

Best regards,
Rhonda

[donnaS]

Congratulations, very happy for you!

[irene9999]

Good for you, congrats!

[HollySmtms]

Congratulations Isha, I am very happy for you and very appreciative of the inspiration you provide.

[carrie2014]

Hi Isha,
Your first day at work was GREAT! So great that I ran to the printer and made a copy of your letter and pictures. I put them on the wall above my desk so that it will give me the courage to get out of my closet when ever I look at your pictures. Maybe it is time to change your quote at the bottem of your post to (Achived genter balance) After reading all the replies to your post I believe you are a hero to many if not all the girls on this forum. Hope your don't mind that I printed your pictures. Keep us up to date with new stories and pictures, more pictures for my wall.

[Bridget Ann Gilbert]

Isha,

This was the day I've been waiting weeks for, and then I miss it by three thanks to, well, life. I'm glad the day went well for you. You are too harsh on yourself about your appearance. I've seen untouched photos of C. Jenner and you beat her by a mile. Here's to setting new milestones for yourself and for other TG people.

Cheers,
Bridget

[Nikkilovesdresses]

I admire you very much- congratulations Isha.

Nikki

[StephanieCLT]

Congratulations, Ma'am! I've very happy for and proud of you!!! What a liberating feeling! Enjoy every minute of it.