If you have recently come out as transgender, you may have difficulty communicating your new gender identity to your colleagues. However, if you don’t disclose your new identity to your coworkers, it can lead to unnecessary tension and misunderstandings, as they may make assumptions about your gender and start asking you embarrassing questions. You can avoid these issues by being upfront about your choice in your social life. When you tell your coworkers about your identity, you’re showing them that you are confident in yourself and willing to accept support.
Even if you have worked with your colleagues for a long time, it may still be difficult for them to understand your drastic change in lifestyle and behaviour. This is especially true if they are older than you and are not accustomed to diversity in their workplace. The millennial generation and city dwellers, on the other hand, are more used to the diversity of their colleagues.
If you feel uncomfortable about disclosing your new identity to them in person, you can email each individual co-worker telling them about your new identity and preferred pronouns. You can also bring up articles about transgender issues or share experiences of other people who are transitioning. You can use these conversations to engage your team in a discussion about gender identity and how it affects your job.
Don’t start an argument if your colleagues accidentally misgender you. Just politely correct them and remind them about your new identity. Remember that it may take time for them to get fully accustomed to the changes.
Therefore, it is crucial to be open and honest with your colleagues. If you have questions or concerns about someone else’s gender identity, it is important to seek clarification from your colleague. Be respectful and honest about your gender. You will not have to face any awkwardness in front of your colleagues if you’re transparent and open about your choice.
Another important step in disclosing your new identity is informing your boss and HR department about the changes. Make sure that you provide your new name and pronouns if you have undergone the name change procedure.
You can ask your employer to arrange a team meeting to inform your colleagues about the transition. However, it is up to you and your employer to decide who should speak and whether or not you will attend the meeting.
If you are experiencing difficulties coming out at work and looking for the best way to inform your colleagues about your new gender identity, experts at National Gender Training are here to assist you.
In our training sessions, we cover a wide range of gender transition-related topics, including gender transition terminology and pronouns, social relations, legal status, employment equality, and many more.
