I'm about to come out in work!!!!

[Felix]

Well the time has come..... I am noe back at work and having only been there a week today I have been faced with a dilema :eek: There are a few children who I think have guesswd that I'm more than just a butch dyke and have made it clear to me that they know I'm a man. These kids know me cos I've been working with them closely before I went off sick. Thing is there are several new children and it is them really that have given me this dilema. I kinda felt in my minds eye already that it was coming but its come a bit quicker than I expected. The children have been askin a lot of questions, now thats ok in itself but these new kids well the parents don't know me yet!! So the last thing I want for me and everybody else is for one of them to ring up the school and say 'Hey why is my child being taught by a tranny!' So I decided after talking with Dan and lewis that I should talk to the head and my line manager. So I called her up and she was great and explained everything to her and we are gonna chat with the head. I can't believe this is all coming and before I've had my counselling too :eek: Thing is there are kids calling me sir already, they have made up there mind what I am!! Well that's the news for now xx Felix :hugs::hugs:

[Wolfie]

I'm just about to return to work after being off sick (depression) for the last year - and yep I'm returning as a guy. I also teach - but am a peri teacher (I visit children in schools, homes, nurseries etc to give support - I'm a special Needs Teacher) The managers are having a heart attack on how they are going to deal with parents and schools. funny thing is most of the younger children I have worked with over the past few years have thought I was a guy and got confused when they were told I was a Mrs... Seems you cant fool kids can you?
I wish you well - it wont be the children that have the problem just the adults and hopefully if you have a supportive head and managers things will be ok. Will be thinking of you and good luck :hugs:

[Flameboy]

Well done on taking this step Felix - I'm sure it'll all go well for you.

However, it's always best to be as prepared as possible. There's a bunch of good resources around transitioning at work available - I'll put a list of links to the ones I know of at the bottom of this post. They're pretty much all UK-specific, but hopefully could be of some use to others also. Also, it's worth remembering that you don't have to have already transitioned, or even have started transition to be covered legally - it's enough to be intending to transition.

If you're in a union, by the way, it might also be worth contacting your union rep so that they're aware in case you have any difficulties at any stage.

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll keep us posted on how it goes!

Dave

Trans Information for Employers and Employees

Civil Service
Transgender information pages (http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/iam/diversity/managers/gender_id.asp)

Equal Opportunities Commission
Transsexualism (http://83.137.212.42/sitearchive/eoc/Default14e6.html?page=15344)

Equal Opportunities Commission
Transgender and Work: Your Rights as an Employee (http://83.137.212.42/sitearchive/eoc/pdf/transgender_leaflet.pdf?page=18604)

Equal Opportunities Commission
Guidance for Managers and Supervisors (http://83.137.212.42/sitearchive/eoc/pdf/gender_reassignment_checklist.pdf)

Gender Recognition Panel
Legal recognition of the gender in which a transsexual person now lives (http://www.grp.gov.uk)

Government Equalities Office
Gender Reassignment: A Guide for Employers (http://www.equalities.gov.uk/publications/http___192%20168%20201%20210_9090_progress_pagesid 2550942489sp2urlhttp___www%20scotland%20gov%20uk_R esource_Doc_924_0018960%20pdffileName0018960%20pdf refererhttp___www%20scotland%20gov.pdf)

Ministry of Justice
Gender recognition (http://www.justice.gov.uk/whatwedo/genderrecognition.htm)

There's also a slightly out-dated but still useful guide to the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999 published by the Women and Equality Unit, and an article from the Gender Trust entitled How to Transition at Work... And Survive. neither of these seem to be online any more, but I'm happy to email copies to you (or anyone else that wants a copy).

[Felix]

Hi Wolfie and thanx :) I know what ya mean the kids are great really and they just wanna understand but because of the sensitivity of the issue and its kids ya can't plus the law is a bit wishy washy with these things. Anyways I saw the head today and she was really good about it. She agreed with the approach ive taken so far and the approach I'm gonna keep on taking and she said I have her full support :) If any of the parents have a problem she will deal with them for me cos basically I am a valued member of staff. So its sorted for now I think. Good luck with yours and lets know how ya getting on. I'd love to know as we are in similar situation. I too work with special needs children who have behavioural social and emotional problems. :hugs:

Hi Fame Boy and thans so much for ya support and all the useful links :hugs:

xx Felix :hugs:

[ZenFrost]

Coming out can be pretty nerve-wracking, I hope everything goes well Felix. :hugs:

[Felix]

Hi Zen and thanx Hun :hugs: To say I was nervous would be an understatement lol!! Its left me feeling very strange tonight to be honest although I'm feeling a little strange full stop tonight :sad: My emotions are all over the place and I don't like it!! Blah I dunno whats wrong with me right now. Sorry peeps Felix is just tired maybe from his first week back at work, it's took it out of me I guess after all this time off. But also I'm feeling a tad vunerable right now too probably me worrying too much as usual :doh: I feel yuck totally tonight :sad: Sorry if I'm not making sense, I'm not really making sense to me tonight. Omg I've told my boss my biggest secret of my life :eek: maybe thats why :doh:God only knows. I just wish Dan was here to hold me right now cos by the gods I need it!!!! I've exhausted myself this week I know it. Although I've only been doing mornings till 1pm I've thrown my whole self in as usual but thats just me and I can't help it. When I do something I do it with every once of energy and commitment its like I'm driven to do it, blah wish I wasn't sometimes, I've tried to change but I can't I always go back to how I am daft as a brush lol!! Grrrr sometimes I think the Gods are after me and havin a good laugh at my expense :Angry3: Anyways sorry for blastin off, I just don't feel my usual Felix self :sad: xx Felix :hugs: