by Gina Bennett

Created on: November 09, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2009

I walked into work the other day and went in to use the washroom. I am an MtF in the midst of RLT and work knows this. One of my coworkers tried to stop me, and I completely ignored her as she was speaking to me. I went in and did my business and turned around to walk out. A manager asked me which department I worked in and I told her and continued on my way, my heart completely racing expecting a full confrontation. I brought this up with my manager later on and was told that - because I am still legally male - not only was I barred from using the women's washroom, but my employment file was being changed to read male.

RLT (Real Life Test), a term I strongly disagree with, means that I have to live in a female role full time for at least one year where I come from, in all aspects of my life. This includes the washrooms and work is, unfortunately, making it very hard to do so. I have gotten involved with TESA (Transgender Equality Society of Alberta) and told them what has happened. They are drafting a letter to work which outlines that GID is protected by the Human Rights Commission here in Alberta and that by telling me I'm not allowed, they are interfering with medical treatment.

This is just one example of workplace discrimination and this needs to be stopped. Everyone has the right to live as their preferred gender without having to fear for their safety or sanity. Because people are prejudiced and afraid of what they don't know, we unfortunately take a lot of abuse because we don't fit into society's standards of normal. People need to stand up for who they are, and still more need to stand up for people who are too scared or unable to stand up for themselves in this situation and say "Hey! This isn't right. You're not allowed to do that." With the passing of the Matthew Sheppard Act in the US, at least this is slowly being dealt with. It's not going to solve all of the problems, but at least GID is now protected under US law.

It is not easy being transgendered, and we should not have to fear people hating us for who we are, or going in to work every day. We would just like to live our lives like everyone else. Hopefully, some day we will be able to do so with the confidence we are accepted for who we are.

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