Transgender Inclusion

Chapter 2Experiences in the Workplace

Being lesbian, gay, or bisexual in the workplace is hard. Being transgender in the workplace can be even harder.

Data shows that transgender individuals often experience maltreatment in the workplace. Many aspects of the work experience are impacted, from hiring to firing and everything in between. Often, the ability to respond to or avoid discrimination is limited. So it comes as no surprise that many individuals are not out as transgender in the workplace.

Being Out in the Workplace

According to the U.S. Trans Survey, 49% of transgender individuals currently working report that they are not out as transgender to any of their bosses or supervisors. It took me many years to come out as transgender to a supervisor or boss. I was afraid of the possible ramifications. I had been working so hard to prove myself and my efforts had gotten the attention of those above me. I knew that I was a rising star in the organization but I worried all of that would come crumbling down around me if my superiors found out that I was transgender. So I hid it. I hid it until I felt I had proven my worth so much so that I had some job security. And I hid it until I had a boss whom I believed genuinely cared for me and my well‐being. Even then I was afraid. What if I had misjudged my boss and their level of acceptance? I had a family to take care of and I found myself grappling with whether I should come out as transgender and remove what had become a heavy ...