I thought some folks would appreciate to hear about a recent 'coming out' to a co-worker yesterday.. it was very ad-hoc, but just goes to show that there are plenty of accepting people out there.
I had a friendly coworker stop by my office door yesterday, and ask me how my weekend was. Backfill for this story is that she's a wonderful middle-aged woman, very the been-there-done-that type, traveled 'round the world and such, we've talked Celtic and pagan beliefs before, and has been been an easy-going person to talk to.. we talk a lot, about family stuff, kids, you name it. Well.. I bet you can guess where this is going.I mentioned this and that, and that I was in NoHo for the Pride March / event. She seemed to light up at that, and asked how it was and such. After noting it was a great time, I just let it go that I was actually IN the march as much as I was there FOR the march.. And she just kinda looked at me and smiled. After some more words were exchanged, she sat down at my desk and started telling me this TG story/joke: (Of which I'm sure you've heard similar)
She knows this TG girl, a very flashy dresser (Very Queen-esque), who wanders about the streets doing this and that in the Boston area, and is known by many. She's a very friendly sort. Passes by a particular Fire Station quite a bit and is very flamboyant and such. The Fire chief routinely sees her walking by and they stop and chat for a time and so on. Well, one day, a regional Supervisor of the Fire chiefs (I don't know that they're called) stops by to talk to that local chief.. and wouldn't you know it, the TG girl happens to wander by.. calling out to the Chief by name, waving from across the way and sauntering over. The Supervisor, in looking at this fairly well-dressed / overdressed lady, just shakes his head and generally motions over towards her as she's approaching and says: 'That is SUCH a travesty!' To which the Chief looks at him, and starts to form a scowl on his face and says 'Excuse me?' The Supervisor looks at him, and then points over to the girl, and says: 'Doesn't she KNOW?? It should be against the law to wear white shoes this time of the season!'
Anyway, I digress, she also noted that she does some events with another MtF TG as well! I was so relieved, though the reason I brought it up in the first place was because she is THE ONLY person I've felt, in my work, that would be almost 'automatically tolerant' if you will. At least my instincts were on par. She was as understanding and friendly about it as one could hope, told me not to worry, and that if I needed a shoulder to cry on to stop by her desk. Oh.. and that and my secret's safe with her - though she admitted to noticing the 'little things' I've been letting float to the surface lately.. hair, nails, other things about jewelry and such... so she wasn't surprised I came out to her at all. As she said.. 'I was beginning to wonder...'
Some time after that, I walked up to her desk and just lightly confirmed that I was incredibly nervous telling her, and that it did worry me afterwards, though she told me not to. She didn't skip a beat and started asking me if I had started hormones yet, and what I was going to do about my beard.. *deep sigh of relief* After another 5 minutes I wandered back to my desk much more relaxed and happy. YAY! I have an ally at work!
co worker
