I have been on my 'journey' for many many years and in the last 6 months or so begun hormones. All I ever wanted was to be fixed inside and thankfully the hormones have worked a treat, although its not all funky at first. But what I am always fearful of is lack of work (I know this is something 'regular' people fear) but being TG doesnt exactly make it easier.

I currently work for myself as a designer and have done for 6 years, doing mainly magazines, websites and photography (do a bit of design work to help the TG cause too). I am on px hormones for my dysphoria and I am allowing myself to emerge depending on what physiological side effects take place - so its a slow process and one that I am working with. As I said I just want to be rid of the dysphoria and that starts inside and its working, so presenting as a male or female isnt that important to me - what ever happens happens.

The likelyhood is that I will present more as a female than a male so womanhood it is.

I have posted this here to ask the people who 'live full time' what work they do and if they have found it harder to find/keep work because of their TG 'condition/situation'

Personally I feel that TG people have so much to offer int he work place - we are equal but have the obvious ability to have a balanced perspective of opportunities and situations, hard and soft, competitive and compliant. I may be wrong but from the people I have spoken to and what I know of myself it seems to be the case. In many ways I believe our Psychobiology lends itself to balance in that way, the binary gender society is what causes the most difficulty or it does for me.

Anyway would love to hear peoples thoughts on the boring but essential topic of work, how you earn a living and how its been for you. I personally think it would be good to have a TG only business lol.

hi dee dee i have been having the same thoughts when i am finally ready to start my transition i dont know what i will do yet as all the freelance work i do is male dominated and i dont think i would fit in with it i do hope i can get this sorted but rigging theatre lights in heels is a no no lol xxxx

I totally understand what you are saying. I'm actually suprised I even got any comments to this forum post to be honest. Well thats not true I spent so long exploring my gender issues and running away from my dysphoria, wondering how to label myself etc. But I suppose when I grabbed the bull by the horns and opened the door I felt a sense of relief and then saw a heap of problems (that I guessed woudl exist) its not surprising that many people stay 'in the closet' no matter what colour of TG person they are.

Sad part about it all is that really we are all harmless, I suffer from a condition that hurts nobody but many see it as such a problem, yet be born with hermaphrodite physical issues and most would simple appreciate the pain, have psycho-biological hermaphrodite problems and people simply label you something less than savory, or that is my experience anyway - why choose extraodinary when they can choose ordinary.

But hey I hope you find your answers soon - we should all set up our own country and re-right the rule book lol.

xxx

Hi Dee Dee , i hav,nt transitioned full time yet as im giving the mones and dermal fillers a bit longer to get my face as fem as poss , however everyone at work knows and have seen all my pics including the bosses , they know that i will be transitioning to living as a woman full time and have already said that they will support me and help me in anyway they can , this will include uniform change and i have requested to move to a different dept , it would appear that they have no problem with it at all , i will keep you updated when it happens , incidentally i work as a customer service assistant for Southern Rail , and we do have a wide selection of genders , races , colurs , creeds etc so they do have some experience with it , however i would,nt want to be looking for a new job as a transgender ( unless i was totaly convincing ) i would,nt mind betting that in a choice situation that the company would always choose the " normal " person !.

It depends where you look for work, they won't take you on at a building site because they'd be worried ( as would many employers) about you taking them to court,everyone would rib you,on site's that's how people get along. In the public sector they love you because you tick all the diversity boxes.When i started all of this i left work,they wanted me to stay but as i told them it just wouldn't work because the people i was dealing with were street drinkers and drug addicts and the type to only look for weakness to abuse and exploit me.
I co-ran a night club for a while where everyone new took the piss on there way in but loved me on the way out.The way i deal with people i don't know is not to mention anything about being transsexual and nowadays i get treated like a woman.
I am wondering Jet ? If everyone at you're place of work will support you why would you want to go to another office where things may not be so good.

This is all good stuff and thank you Jet and Sireag for your comments. I understand Jet why you would want to move to another office but at the same time understand why Sireag you ask why move. For me it's all part of the need to start afresh and yet the need to stay with what you know, I am currently in that dilema but stay with what I know - currently :-)

What job do you currently do Sireag?

At the moment i am C.E.O. of a limited company, we mainly do online retail at the moment.

Wow thats cool and an inspiration that TG people can be successful. I suppose its all about accepting yourself first, which is something I have always had trouble with. Thats great to hear :-)

Hi girls , i will only be tranfering within the station , and the only reason being that i dont think platform work is any place for a woman , the passengers etc are ok but its , wet , cold sometimes dirty and involves some fairly heavy lifting , it is a bit of a macho job sometimes and i just want to be in a position more suited to my femininity , i will still be working with my same workmates just in more pleasant surroundings .

Ps ; Sireag , once the mones start to kick in and i hopefully start to look mre feminine , that is also my intention , i will have my female name and hopefully looks and i will not be mentioning that im trans , i would expect to be accepted as a woman and would,nt feel the need to let them think otherwise , i only tell them at the moment when im in my " male guise " but when im done up and i meet people if they think im a woman i just let them , thats my eventual aim , by the way like the name change .

Hiya Jet, That's just brilliant for you to stay where you are with you're support and ti's a good job you're going to a less manual area because most people loose upper body strength really quickly, i know i did.

thanks Sireag , i thought i should just clear that up ( it could have come across like i was trying to hide away or something , ) , i have already discussed it with my manager and he,s fine with it ! .
love Jet xxxxxxx

Hi Dee Dee, I transitioned as a woman 6 years ago, it was more awkward for myself as I'm a doctor. However, I did my homework and approached the GMC with an action plan for 'Millie', over approximately 6 months I very slowly introduced 'Millie' full time, my colleauges were very supportive and still are today
My personal worry was how my patients would react, again this was a learning curve for me and once again I have had only positive feedback.
Employers in most cases have policies where they cannot discriminate transgendered individuals, for me my qualifications and experience are what I use not my look or body. Obviously there are those in the minority that attach labels and fail to see the BIG picture.
I am married to a genetic girl (16 Years)she, has supported me throughout that time. I have gone through the hormone programme and electrolysis, to make me feel hole, however the original plumbing is I'm afraid staying...Lol....even tho I'm a doc I don't really do a lot of pain...etc etc.

An amusing little anecdote was when I changed doctors (GP), the receptionist without really looking at my records enquired....'When was your last smear test?'....Lol...I nearly fell over...and said....'Take a look at the records again...Hun...she was soooo embarrassed...Anyhow I took it as a compliment.

Anyhow I hope these comments are of some use and substance, should you want any more information or support..please ask.
Best Wishes Millie X

This post was edited by Deleted Member at April 28, 2012 11:28 AM BST