Hi Everyone - I hope this is not tl;dr for you. I don't like to talk about myself all that much, but I just can't help it and have to tell this to you, part of my world: I'm out at work and full-time 24/7 all day and all night! Yay!
The management at my work, an agency of city government, conducted a meeting the day before yesterday for my immediate work section, a couple of dozen people, and told the assembled about me and my transition. I was too chicken to be there! No, but really, I wanted everyone to have a chance to talk among themselves, sound off their opinions, and the like, and they did. They resolved that they and I were all members of "Team Ann," and that they supported me all the way. O M G
Yesterday, a very high-placed senior manager issued an email to like 4 divisions of our agency, and I think over a thousand people here now are fully aware of Ms. Ann Louise and her transition. I attached a letter to that announcement, which I'm going to post below so that others here may adapt it to their own outings. Please note that the framework was provided to me by another friend here, and I adapted it from her. I hope that some of you girls might find some useful structure in it to help you write your own letters when the time comes. I'm not really trying to redact much here since we work for a public agency, and anyone who really cared could find the original in short-order, I'm sure. If you want to put in that legwork, good for you. So here:
Ann’s Open Transition Letter To Co-Workers, 07Aug13
Dear Colleagues,
The time has come for me to share with you something which is deeply personal to me, yet unavoidably very public. I share, in common with many thousands of others around the world, in a clinical condition known as “gender dysphoria.” In its simplest terms this means that my inner gender identity as a female is inconsistent with my birth sex, as a male. I am fortunate, however, in that gender dysphoria is a bona fide clinical condition for which established and effective medical care exists.
To definitively treat this condition in accordance with contemporary standards of medical practice I have been undergoing a “gender transition.” Among the many aspects of this change, I will take several weeks of medical leave later this this fall, and will return early next year to carry on with my work. But, as many of you already know, my process of gender transition actually began months ago. This may explain some of the physical and other changes in me that you might have noticed if you work with me day-by-day, or see me in passing. I’m pleased to note that my name has been legally changed to “Ann Louise ___________,” and all pertinent legal documentation now reflects my correct gender designation as female, too.
I fully appreciate that this is quite unusual and unexpected, and that some of you may find it at odds with your personal beliefs. I respect this and will make no effort to convince you otherwise. But I want to assure you that I will continue to deliver the best work that I am able to in my role as Senior Civil Engineer for the ___________ , and I will always strive to be a valued member of our team. In return, I would request that you treat me with the same professionalism and respect that you always have, and extend to me the courtesy that you would to any valued co-worker. This includes addressing me by my actual name, “Ann,” and using the feminine pronouns “her,” “she,” etc., in reference to me. I understand that for many it may take some time to become accustomed to my changed identity and name, and your understanding and cooperation in these matters is greatly appreciated.
It may be that you have questions about me in particular, or transgender issues in general, and while in recognition of the bounds of my personal and medical privacy, I would be happy to address these to the best of my ability.
Thank you very much,
Ann Louise ___________, P.E.
Many of you ladies here have contributed to the knowledge and strength that fortifies me, and has enabled me to make the progress on my journey that I have.
Thank you all so very much,
Ann x0*-*0x
paula
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Originally Posted by tgirlceleste
