Thread by @HxwlKnight, I'm gonna have a small thread of something very important that happened [...]

I'm gonna have a small thread of something very important that happened to me last night, and I nearly break down every time for thinking about:

My work is a very inclusive place for the LGBT+ community, even having magnets and other little trinkets with their logo on it, stating they're supportive of us

Hell, there's a person at work who walks around with N/B stuff all the time! For example

Before I got officially hired in, I wasn't sure the temp agency I worked through was as inclusive, and didn't want to screw up my chances at a great job like this, so I kept quiet (mostly)

(Except I am a big gay, and CONSTANTLY talk about my fiancee, but that's nothing new)

But only a tiny amount of people at work I told the truth about my gender:

I am a transman, and I am scared

Once I was hired in, the first thing I noticed while doing the computer work was it asked your GENDER, not SEX!
It had three options, with the third having a slot to further explain what your gender really was

Within the same page, it also asks what pronouns you wish to be called, which BLEW MY FUCKING MIND!!!

So I decided to be honest, marking it as Male, with He/Him pronouns

(I realized this isn't gonna be a short as I thought, but you're free to continue to read if you like!)

Later, it then asked for LEGAL NAME, and then PREFERRED NAME, even giving me the option to add a first AND last name in both sections, to which I did.

I eventually finished that computer work, knowing my bosses would see all these changes, and waited for them to approach me about it.

So slowly, I began telling coworkers my preferred name, despite most of these people knowing me for a good year, because I am too afraid to talk in front of a big crowd, and tell them.
Also, because I am scared how and what people would talk about me.

After now working officially for this company for almost three weeks, I have told about... A small handful

Yesterday, after explaining to a more chattier coworker about it, she went to my boss, explaining not only was she surprised, but she felt awful for not knowing

Like, she has been TRYING now to get it right, and I think she feels bad that she's been using the wrong name/gender, mostly due to my own fear

So as I worked after that, my boss approached me, pulling me off to a more secluded part of the building to talk

My fears began to boil, fearing I was going to get in trouble for coming out trans after being hired in, and not telling the truth about my name

But instead, he mentioned she talked about her feelings, and noticed the changes in my profile, but wasn't sure how to approach me on the matter

I told him, I honestly appreciated that he pulled me off to the side to talk about it (which is true), and we talked about how he wanted to make sure my time at this place was as comfortable as possible, and how to approach the rest of the team about the news

He mentioned that I could take my time, despite never being in this situation himself, he understood that it was absolutely TERRIFYING thing to do, but reassured me that our team was VERY open and accepting

He asked if he could ask any questions in the future about the topic if he didn't understand something, to which I replied he could, as long as I could do the same to him

Spoiler: he also agreed

After our talk, it took me a few minutes to process what happened, even having to run to the bathroom just to cry

My *work* is more open and accepting me for me than *my own blood family*, and it hit me like a ton of bricks

Don't believe me? Here's a copy of a message my stepdad sent to me recently, after arguing with my mother over it (edited it to hide my deadname, and names of family members he points out):

Btw, I never felt a part of my family EVER, and I don't do well around kids, because I see the part of me I hate in them, and seeing how my nieces and nephews are being raised triggers me remembering all the abuse I grew up with. Also I don't fully feel like an adult myself

I told my mother's side of the family before I moved out I was trans and wanted to be referred to as Howl MONTHS ago

These messages are only about a week old (more edits to hide info):

It HURTS knowing my friends and my work are FAR MORE accepting than my own parents, one of which I can't even tell the truth, or his reaction will be WORSE than my mother's!

My brain is still wrapping this information in my head, but I just wanted to share this very important story to me with you all, and show you that the world is slowly trying to change for a warmer, more welcoming future.

My family may hate Howl, but I love me for me, even if it's scary.

I love myself more than I ever have, and I have a family I found all on my own that I thank everyday for being blessed.

This journey hasn't been easy, and it will continue to be a rocky slope, but I have wonderful friends and best of all: I have a loving, caring, supportive partner who's helped me every step of the way.

If you read this long thread, thank you.

And know that even when things look difficult and bleak, there is a small shread of hope, and a better tomorrow waiting for you somewhere in your future.

Howl

Latest Threads Unrolled: