by Joseph Wardy

Created on: August 10, 2008

I have read several articles about transsexuals in the workplace here at Helium. I was, unfortunately, very saddened but not surprised to hear of the prejudice and bias against transsexuals in our workplace. It proves how much work our culture needs in understanding this condition and how weak our base of diversity is.

I am going to address this issue around the fact that when transsexuality is embraced it is at times due to a policy that allows for a "token transsexual in the workplace. I have experienced this token policy in another way. In the late 1980's, I was hired as a management trainer for an insurance company as a token male in a department of thirteen women. This reverse discrimination was so blatant forcing I left the company within ten months.

But now I am experiencing bias in a mild way regarding transsexuals in the workplace. I am an atypical transexual...that is, a transsexual who discovered my condition later than most. I was 59 when I was diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder. Why so late? The deeper the shame in your environment, the more difficult the discovery. I wonder how many transsexuals went to their grave not knowing they were transsexual.

I reinterated that I am experiencing bias in a mild way. How can bias be mild? Unlike some of the essays here, I am not in a career situation. I am a retired teacher and professor.

By mild means I have over the past nine months applied for part time positions that I was overqualified for. I have not been given one offer. This is because I have informed them of my condition and desire to present myself as a woman.I have worked as a Consultant for ten days a year for a major corporation for 12 years. The company takes pride in their diversity. Will I survive when I begin the process of living 24/7 before surgery?

In order to protect themselves, not one employer has outright rejected me. As well you can imagine, they allow me to fill out the application and in some cases interview in order to meet the requirement legally. There is, however, no intention of hiring.

Unlike other transsexuals, I am comfortable in retirement and a job is not necessary for survival. What is the answer to this dilemma? I'm more comfortable with progress on the family and legal than from the employment front.

With family and legal, a force to educate about the condition is a possiblility that will take many years. But it may be a bleaker situation in the workplace. We already live in a lean and mean environment and hiring of people who are different like transsexuals may be too much of a risk for managers who cannot afford a loss of competitive edge.

Ultimately, the condition of a transsexual defies logic. I look very masculine..I'm athletic and a Vietnam veteran. But my brain, heart and soul is that of a woman. The challenge in our society is spiritual. Can people go beyond the logical by acting with a compassionate heart? For the benefit ot the transsexuals, I pray the answer is yes!

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