“Why did you choose that name?”

Last week, a coworker asked me why I chose Natalie to be my name. This question came out of the blue, he has worked with me since before I transitioned and has never asked any questions about it before. Despite the suddenness, he had clearly been thinking about this. He explained to me that mostContinue reading ““Why did you choose that name?””

The interviews went well, but I didn’t get it the job

Two weeks ago, I had an initial interview for a significant promotion at work (Interview Post). That interview went extremely well and I was asked to interview again. And again. and again. Over the last 3 weeks, I had 6 interviews with nearly a dozen different people, several of them back to back. I hadContinue reading “The interviews went well, but I didn’t get it the job”

Preparing for an upcoming job interview

Later this week, I have a job interview. This is a pretty big deal, it is an internal interview for an incredibly significant promotion at work. The position itself is kind of a long shot, they are looking for someone with considerably more job experience than I have, however I got the interview. Landing thisContinue reading “Preparing for an upcoming job interview”

An uncomfortable conversation at work

Last week, two women at my job started a discussion with me that left me feeling uncomfortable. During a working meeting with them, completely unprompted they brought up my choice of the restroom at work. Since coming out, I have only used a single occupancy, gender-neutral restroom at the office, a decision that apparently didContinue reading “An uncomfortable conversation at work”

Tax season and my name change

Ever since legally changing my name 5 months ago, I have been working to change it everywhere. Aside from a few key places, banks mostly, I thought that I had done so. One of the reasons that I had rushed was to finish updating my name before the start of tax season. I wanted toContinue reading “Tax season and my name change”

10 months of voice training

For the last ten months, I have been seeing a voice therapist for help feminizing my voice. At first, these were weekly appointments, but I am now at a point where I only see her once a month to help make small adjustments. For me, these lessons were essential. I was incapable of voice trainingContinue reading “10 months of voice training”

My job wants me keep me at my desk

In general, my job has been quite good about my gender transition. The first two weeks were rocky, especially since they kept me confined to my office to prevent me from encountering bigotry. Confinement to my desk ended after about a week and a half. Things have been quite good since then. Aside from someContinue reading “My job wants me keep me at my desk”

Overprotectiveness and infantilization

Ever since coming out at work, I have had to deal with people around me being overprotective of me. At first, this was a minor inconvenience, something I figured wouldn’t last very long. This defensive behavior started to relax a week after coming out, but it has never disappeared completely. In fact, it has startedContinue reading “Overprotectiveness and infantilization”

The DMV screwed up my license

Two weeks ago, I went to the DMV to update my name and gender marker on my driver’s license. This was my second attempt at doing so, having been turned away the first time because they disliked one of my documents. This time I was completely prepared with plenty of alternative documents, just in case.Continue reading “The DMV screwed up my license”