Being An LGBT+ Teen In The Workplace + Video
By: Percy Okoben
Hello, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals! My name is Percy Okoben, I use he/him and they/them pronouns, and today we’re going to be talking about being trans in the workplace because your boy just got a job *jazz hands*!
Firstly let’s talk about actually getting the job. Most of you, to whom this video appeals, are probably at a point in your lives where you can work because you want to, not because you necessarily need to, so you have the privilege of being able to work at any job you like (so long as they’ll have you) without necessarily worrying about money quite yet. This is your chance to get a job that may not pay very well, but that you will get a lot of joy out of. So, apply just about anywhere you like, that you can see yourself working at, and maybe if you’re qualified and if they need a person like you, you’ll be able to work there. If you see any “help wanted” signs in any of your favorite stores, apply there. Look on company websites, as they’ll often have job listings and applications available.
Once you have the teen job of your dreams or at least one that you’re satisfied with, it’s time to assess the situation: is it safe for you to come out to your coworkers? Often, this will be hard to judge. People are complicated and can often give you mixed signals. But you should try to find out if they are accepting if it is in your interest to come out to them. I’m relatively lucky. I was asked what my preferred name was (though not my pronouns) before I even came into work. And two of my coworkers respectfully asked me if that meant I used different pronouns pretty early on. One of them even told all of my other coworkers for me, just so that everyone was on the same page. My boss still messes up on my pronouns sometimes, and I’m not sure if it is because he forgets, or because of our differing politics, but most of the rest of my coworkers are pretty good about it. If you have an HR department, that would be a good place to go if you have any issues with coworkers.
I must stress a point, in this situation, as well as any other: if someone acts negatively towards you after you come out, that is not your fault, it is theirs. You did nothing wrong, you were only trying to show them a clearer picture of yourself. If they can’t accept that, that is their problem, not yours.
This last point applies mostly if you work in the customer service industry, as I do, and don’t necessarily pass. You may do everything in your power, cut your hair to make them stare, hide your chest… Sorry, Cavetown moment. But anyway, if you are like me and your appearance doesn’t necessarily match the “traditional” appearance of your gender identity, because you’re too short, or you have a babyface, or your voice is too high for them, or the opposite and then they call you “shorty” or tell you to your face that they thought you were 10 years old at first, then refer to you as “miss” or “ma’am” or “milady,” that was a weird one I got once, then you have two options. One, you can respectfully tell them how you identify. Though this may have repercussions if they don’t accept trans people, so I would be cautious. Two, you can keep it to yourself and act cheerful, and then go home later and scream into your pillow. Like I do. Every day.
Well, that about wraps it up. Happy job hunting, have a good day, and, I don’t know, live long and prosper. Okay, bye.