What brings you to this site?

[Jillian T. Weiss]

What brings you to this site? Let's share!

[Jillian T. Weiss]

I created this network because I believe that people looking for resources in this area need a place to find others. Here's my bio:

Dr. Jillian T. Weiss has a J.D. and a Ph.D. in Law, Policy & Society. Currently Associate Professor of Law and Society at Ramapo College of New Jersey, she has conducted research involving hundreds of companies and public agencies that have adopted "gender identity" policies. She publishes a popular blog on the subject of Transgender Workplace Diversity, and has numerous research publications on the subject of gender identity. Links to these are found below.

Dr. Weiss is also Principal Consultant for Jillian T. Weiss & Associates, a consulting firm that works with organizations on transgender workplace diversity issues. She has trained hundreds of employees at corporations, law firms, diversity trainers and governmental organizations. Dr. Weiss has worked successfully with Fortune 500 companies and large public agencies during the past few years, including Boeing, HSBC, KPMG, Viacom, and the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Her work has been featured in news stories by the New York Times, Associated Press, the Society for Human Resource Management, Workforce Management Magazine, and HR Executive Magazine.

[Sara Law]

One of the most important factors in one's transition is the ability to keep and/or obtain a
job during this period. This site could be a wonderful resource for both transitioning employees
and interested HR professionals to share information on what works and what doesn't. I've always believed it is a team of people that makes workplace transitioning successful. Just having a forum in which we can share ideas and support one another is valuable in and of itself.

Thanks Jillian for your work.

Sara Law, Washington DC ...

[Donna Tara Lee]

Hi all,
My name is Donna Tara Lee, email [e-mail]. I am joining this site so hopefully I can work with others to remove the stigma's and discrimination attached to transgenders/transexuals. ( I had my SRS 7 & 1/2 yrs. ago ). I was a federal employee for 35 yrs. until I retired, faithfully doin my work on a daily basis. I will not stand for discrimination towards us. it is not in my vocabuary. I am an activist where I live and will do all I can to help our cause. Yes I am "out" and very militant. I am willing to work with anyone fighting discrimination. Also hoping to meet, chat with and devolop online friendships with other T's. Looking fwd. to hearing from all of you.
Respectfully,
Donna Tara Lee

[Donna Tara Lee]

Sara Law said:

One of the most important factors in one's transition is the ability to keep and/or obtain a
job during this period. This site could be a wonderful resource for both transitioning employees
and interested HR professionals to share information on what works and what doesn't. I've always believed it is a team of people that makes workplace transitioning successful. Just having a forum in which we can share ideas and support one another is valuable in and of itself.

Thanks Jillian for your work.

Sara Law, Washington DC ...

[Jill Micayla Anglin]

I was invited and once I entered the site I was intrigued. I left the workforce in 2002 due to non- acceptance. Since then I have been involved in NAMI (National Alliance on the Mentally Ill). I was the first transgendered person to become a Facilitator for NAMI Connection in Delaware. I am now a State Trainer and a Peer to Peer mentor.
I am an advocate for my self and have become involved in a War Survivors Support Group as the only Transgendered member.
I was born intersexed but raised as a male. I present as female now daily. I believe in equality for the Transgendered and do not feel they should be tagged with the GLB's. I personally believe it is an injustice as it gives people the wrong view of who we really are.

[ShawnOnsgard]

I love Jill. I'm an ally, musician (pianist/composer), parent, and partner of Dr. Megan Davidson.

[Katrina C. Rose]

Well Jill, I received the invite from you - and the site certainly looks useful.

I can be long-winded - but I can also be succinct :)

[Rikki Arundel]

Hi

I am Rikki Arundel. I have set up a social enterprise in the UK aimed at tackling gender inequality, and especially trans inequality. We have a slightly different environment in the UK, in many ways ahead of yours in the US because it is now illegal to discriminate against trans people in the workplace and in the delivery if services. Proving it is more difficult.

More importantly the public sector (government agencies including education, health and local government) have a duty to prevent discrimination against trans people) That duty extends to the voluntary and community sector (non-profits) because they are funded by or deliver service on behalf of the public sector. The private sector does not have that same duty unless they are supplying or delivering services on behalf of the public sector. Despite all that we still have a long way to go before discrimination stops. We have had equal pay legislation for nearly 40 years and still women on average earn 80% less than men and the latest statistics on sex and power show that women are losing ground almost across the board in their representation in power positions,. And of course inequalities towards women directly impact ont he situation f trans women and trans men. My sence is that in the US you have been more successful in tackling this area of inequality.

So I hope to learn from being a member here - what you are doing int eh US that is successful and could easily translate to the UK environment.

I am a trans women myself - pre operative but have lived as female for 7 years. I have a masters degree in gender research and did my dissertation on coping strategies of trans women and have been a professional speaker for 30 years - though coming out did not do a lot for my speaking career and has resulted in a few very hard years reinventing myself.

Do come and visit our UK equivalent of this network at http://gendershift.ning.com

[George B. Montgomery]

I would like to learn how to help an employee who is going through a transition, and to learn by meeting people who have been involved in these situations.

[Rebecca]

Hi Jill,

I've followed your blog for a while now and linked to it and referenced it in some of my writing at my blog, Beck's Cafe. I've also faced management pressure in two jobs as I started down my road to transition. Both experiences taught me the lesson that our world isn't as open to us as I thought and caused me to have to backstep in my transition. Maybe that'll be for the best in the long run but at the time, it was pretty unpleasant.

I'm also hoping to network with others and learn more on this topic so I can be better informed for myself and to help other transgender men and women I run into.

So thank you so much for inviting me :)

[Patrice D]

I am a diversity professional and know this site will be a great resource. Thanks for the Invite!

[Dylan]

I am really interested in how other trans people acquire hormone and trans related health care services through the insurance company provided by their employer.