Coming out to work - The Big Announcement

• Posted by Elizabeth (Liz) May 28, 2014 #coming out  1,809 views
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  Wednesday 28th May 2014

  At 9am this morning everyone at work was told via a letter I'd prepared, which included my email address. OMG, I've spent most of the day replying to messages. Here are some excerpts:

   

  I just wanted to pop an email across to say congratulations on your news. Your letter was very touching, and I think it’s amazing you are able to live the life you want.

  I have worked with transgender colleagues before, but this is the first time that I have known the struggles and fears behind taking such a big step shared so openly with so many people. I think you are a very brave, very articulate woman. And I am sure that I am not the only person writing to you right now to tell you so. When you return to work next week and feel those nerves and shakes setting in, please bear these message of support in mind.

  We have just been told the news, I think you are incredibly brave. It will make no difference to me, you will still be the same person who I will come and pester when I need something. I will try to remember Lizzy but no doubt will put my foot in it on occasions.

  I hope you don’t mind me writing, but I just wanted to say how much I admire your brave decision that was announced this morning. I guess there will be a time of adjustment for us all and I think your letter was very well written and helped me understand some of what your journey entails.

  I think you're brilliant at your job, you're super helpful to me and my team and you're very kind hearted so I'm so pleased that you're able to stay here. It would be so awful if you had left the company. I want you to know that I support you fully and truly respect your changes.

  I think it’s tremendously brave of you to have written a letter like that explaining the situation to your colleagues, and everyone at work I’ve discussed it with has agreed. I understand it must be an intimidating prospect to come back to the office, but I truly believe you will have the full support and encouragement of all of your friends and colleagues.

  Wow. I hope you don’t mind me emailing you, but I wanted to say that I think it’s brilliant that you have the courage to be yourself and I’m really pleased for you. I can’t begin to imagine how hard this has been for you. You absolutely have my total support and respect.

  We don’t know each other, but I have read your letter that you sent to Sinead and found it very moving. I am sure that you have come through some very dark clouds, there may still be a few spots of rain on the way, but wish you and your family sunny times ahead. Life is short, to be enjoyed and not endured. Enjoy living it. Anyway, we could do with some more girlies here, we’re outnumbered. Welcome to our group!

   

  Needless to say, I've had to touch up my makeup several times today. I even cried when my boss rang me this afternoon.