Monday, November 28, 2005

Just One Example Of How "WE" Are Treated. . .

. . .I think some of you can now relate. . .

The story below (in blue) was posted today on one of the Transgender support websites I belong to. I don't know Nikki personally, but I know dozens more just like her. This is just one example of the way transgendered people are treated in the world. I'll continue my comments after. . . . Apologies for the long post. . .

A manager at a (think major electronics chain. . . BB) store contacted me after seeing my AOL profile, looking for a team leader in cameras. He all but begged me to fill out an application, which I did. I was so happy, here was an employer who already knew I was transgendered and wanted me to join the team! I am very qualified to do this job, since I currently work for a competitor. I was willing to change companies, especially one so transgender friendly. After 2 days he said they didn't receive the application I filled out on line. I told him I filled it out using my legal name and it was at that point he figured out I was transgendered and poof! Nothing else was heard! Now I noticed that on about the third page of said application it said that they don't discriminate based on gender identity. Well, that's not really true is it? Look, I'm not surprised. This happens to people like me on a daily basis and since this is the attitude of (major retailer. . . BB) I'm not going to sue them or anything. In fact, I want nothing at all to do with them in the future. But what I am going to do is post this letter on my blog and every transgender new group I belong to.

Nikki

Me again. . . . This is a fairly typical example of what the Transgendered community lives with every day (I checked Nikki's AOL profile and it states she is TG). Those who have chosen to start the transition process find that their existing job will suddenly be gone and future employment is, at best, bottom of the barrel. It doesn't matter that many of us have advanced degrees, or other job skills that would, ordinarily, be the primary consideration. Instead, we are viewed as freaks. Many are beaten or murdered outright. Many die by their own hand when they finally just give up.

I am the same person, with the same skills, same personality and same desire to contribute, regardless of my outward appearance. We don't ask to be this way. It's not a concious decision. A certain percentage of people in the world are born with one physical gender ID, while their entire inner being is the other. It's a difficult concept for most people. I know that all too well. It took me over 40 years to come to terms with it. Even then not completely, so far.

I wrote an essay about a year ago that was never published as originally promised. It's too long to post here in one piece, but I may be able to break it up over a few days. It might give people a little better idea of what being Transgendered is really like. . .

I really do appreciate the acceptance I have had amongst the people I blog with. I started my first Blog with the idea that I'd try it to see what would happen. I had no idea I would be accepted the way you folks have taken me in.

Thanks. . . I needed that. . .

Much love. . .

Lauren
Posted by Lauren :: 8:19 PM :: 7 comments

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