Coming out at work: FTM teacher
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2014
- I teach at the college level and am telling about my process of coming out as trans to colleagues who have previously only known me as a "butch woman."
Here's the link to the APA pamphlet you could give to those you're coming out to: www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/trans...
Here's the email I sent to my colleagues:
Hello colleagues,
I hope you are enjoying your summer and getting some sunshine!
I just wanted to let you know about an upcoming change for me. The main change as far as work is concerned is that I'll be changing my name. This is because I'm "coming out" as transgender. Another part of this change is that I've been taking testosterone for two weeks now and will be continuing to take it indefinitely. This of course will make me look and sound male, over time (it's pretty gradual). I'm really excited about going through this transition, as I already feel more fully myself, more confident, and happier.
So, work-wise, this means that I need everybody to call me "he" instead of "she," and to call me by my new name, "____," instead of "____" (my last name will still be ___). My college email address and other official records will still list me as "___" for some time to come, since these things take time and many steps to change. But regardless, I ask that you call me ___ from now on. Thank you!
My plan is to present as male to students in the fall. So I'll simply be "Professor ____," or "Mr. ____" to my students. I request that colleagues refer to me accordingly, to prevent students' confusion and to aid my stress levels as well as my safety. Now, I realize that some students may find out that I'm transgender, especially since I'm teaching English __ so I may have some of my spring English __ students in the class. My plan is to email such students before classes start, and briefly and simply explain my situation and ask them to call me by my new name.
At the end of this email, I'm including some resources and information about what it means to be transgender, and what gender transition is like for FTM (female to male) trans people, just in case you're curious about this and are interested in learning a little more.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to let me know, even if it's just stuff you're curious about. I'm happy to talk more about this, any time; I enjoy talking about gender transition and appreciate chances to answer questions, because I'd prefer that people possess understanding instead of confusion, and because I feel excited about transitioning and want others to know that it is a happy time for me.
Thank you for reading! I hope you're having a rejuvenating summer!
Take care --
[my name]
Some resources about what it means to be transgender, in case you are curious:
1) I've attached to this email a short and helpful informational pamphlet PDF from the American Psychological Association about what transgender means and what it involves.
2) Helpful books, if you want to learn more:
Transgender 101 by Nicholas Teich
True Selves by Mildred L. Brown (written for families, friends, and coworkers of trans people. A bit outdated but still useful.)
as an ftm individual who aspires to become a teacher, this is very inspirational and encouraging to see. the best of luck to you in both your job and your transition!
A. Taylors I'm glad! Thank you.
@@survialfordummiesbasicesse7768 are you okay? is he hurting anyone? it's not contagious, you absolute ignorant fool.
I have watched your videos for so long. Helps me out you always have good topics that aren't very common. Thanks bro. Big inspiration.
I agree, we need more unisex bathrooms. Congrats in your 3 weeks on t. Mine starts Wednesday. I'm so excited.
I look forward to more of your videos. Enjoy your summer vacation. :)
Coming out takes bravery. Well done!
Thank you so much for this video, I've been looking for this exact thing!
Thanks for sharing, Allen. That was really helpful. I work in educational outreach at a university (and plan on going into teaching after I finish my undergrad), and the prospect of having to come out as trans in either of those settings terrifies me, but it sounds like you're handling this with a lot of grace and dignity. I think I often tend to unconsciously conceptualize transition as being incompatible with my career aspirations, so thank you for reminding me that it is possible to be a transgender educator.
Thanks for sharing this! It's good to here how other people handle these situations.
Really really helpfull, I'm also a teacher, so basically Crtrl C Crtrl V. Thanks for sharing this email, it's quite hard to put it down and you did it pretty well. \0/
What a great positive coming out letter. I had a similar amount of positive emails back at my work and I've had no problems yet so hopefully you're correct that things will go well with the more conservative colleagues and students too. :-)
Good job on everything!! I like the positive spin. I think giving them very specific guidelines and expectations is very wise. People I know who are proactive like this prevent problems I see coming up with other people I know who don't use this kind of proactive approach. I wouldn't worry about single occupancy men's either. But I've never understood them. :)
Congratulations Allen, I hope that if I ever taught with anyone in a similar situation that they would also have the courage to be so comfortable in their own skin....
lmao a rat is running across my balcony, in broad day light. thats just gross
You are so brave!
thank you so much I'm in high school and I needed help writing my email to my teachers
evoxl bae Best wishes for your coming out!
hey guy. I just wanted to show my support to a fellow transman. my transition is almost over and I like to look for people who are just starting and giving them positive feedback. I'm glad that you've had a possitive experience coming out at your workplace and wish you the very best. GOOD LUCK TO YOU SIR!!!
Thank you!
You are so handsome! More power to you!!!!
Thank you very much! :)
Thank you for talking about this! I'm still at college but one day I'll start working and I'll have to tell them I'm non binary.
What did you put as the subject to send the email? Thanks for sharing!!
I don't remember! but thanks for your comment.
So handsome
Do you work at College of Marin possibly? Sorry if that's creepy and you don't want to reply, I was just wondering because it's a community college in the Bay Area where I live.
No, I worked in the south bay. But I have since moved away from the bay area.
I'm a ftm also and a student in high school and have zero support from my parents and way wondering how I could come out to my teachers at school
Brooklynn James Either tell them an email that is kinda proffesional or just go and tell the ones that you trust. Teachers are amazing most of the time, I'm sure you'll be fine. And sometimes they can even help with the whole problem at home and I bet you could even talk to some of them about stuff that you would normally talk to your parents about.
Hey! Would you mind sending me your letter that emailed your work? You of course can edit the information. I am trying to figure out the words to write myself to my place of employment about name change and pronouns etc, and could use a starting point.
The text of that email I sent them is actually in the video description box. :) Feel free to make use of it, and good luck!
wow this is a great story but trans people arent protected legally at work correct ? my biggest fear is that I will get fired
+S Ag Unfortunately, the anti-discrimination protections (or lack thereof) are different in different states or cities. You should check the laws where you live. I hope you won't get fired!
Thanks
don't call my rat babies gross smh
You talk so low on all your videos. I can never hear you.