A TV show I watched (on DVD) the other day reminded me of the discrimination trans people face sometimes in the workplace. The character was a Female-to-Male transitioning person who came out to everyone at work a few months after he had been hired. Until that point, he had just been one of the guys, and a prized employee. He even had a couple of dates with the boss’s daughter.
When he came out as a transitioning person, everything changed. The trans guy started getting the silent treatment from colleagues; some looked away when he walked by them. Others treated him like he wasn’t there, and still others didn’t try to hide their judgmental looks of disgust when he walked by. Sure, they maintained their professionalism when they absolutely had to in work-related matters, but it was an icy professionalism. As for the fictional company’s management, it displayed tolerance and acceptance on the surface, but they soon found an excuse — a pathetic one — to take away the transman’s big assignment and turn it over to another employee. Little wonder that the trans guy quit, which is undoubtedly what many people in the company wanted him to do.
Does it really happen out there in the real world? Yes, it does. Every trans person I know has told me about the subtle forms of discrimination they encounter in the workplace. It’s most often the type of discrimination that is not actionable. You can’t — and wouldn’t — file a discrimination complaint against people because they look away when you pass them in a hallway, or give you a dirty look, or say “good morning” to everyone individually except for you, as if you weren’t there at all. You simply cannot make people like you if they think you are an aberration.
As for management, one MtF transitioned person I know has several university degrees. She is probably the most educated person in her company. Whenever there is a major problem, the company turns to her, as do the company’s clients. But, the trans woman is always passed over for promotions, in favour of people, i.e. non-trans people, with less experience and education. Can anybody prove she is being passed over because of her transitional history? No. But . . . You don’t need to be a rocket scientist . . .
Trans people are acutely aware of every little bit of subtle discrimination, and it hurts just as much as verbalized discrimination does. So, it’s little wonder, then, that many trans people try to keep a low-profile in the workplace.
So, what can companies do to make trans people feel more welcome? Well, obviously, they need to give trans people the same opportunities they give all the other employees, including promotions to management. But I’m not sure what companies can do about the subtle forms of discrimination coming from co-workers. Probably nothing.
Jillian
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Readers’ comments
Hi Jillian,
I’m in the Canadian military and it was an interesting transition. While the official stance is zero harassment the statement “getting the silent treatment from colleagues; some looked away when he walked by them” brought back memories. Except for the washroom thing (ask if you’re interested in hearing more on this) there wasn’t really any discrimination but there were people who wouldn’t even say hi to me in the hallway. They knew me before I started to transition and I think that may be part of the problem. Military personnel are constantly moving and the silent ones have since been transferred out. Those coming into the unit get to meet me as Teresa and, as there are other people in the Canadian military who’ve transitioned, it’s not really a big deal anymore.
– Teresa
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