Transgender Workplace Diversity Network
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Denise E. Brogan-Kator
- Female
- Southfield, MI
- United States
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Denise E. Brogan-Kator's Groups
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Midwest Express(ly)
34 members
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Law, Lawyers and Legal...
38 members
Denise E. Brogan-Kator
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- What is your job title?
- Managing Attorney
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- http://www.RainbowLawCenter.com
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Northeast USA
65 members
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Law, Lawyers and Legal...
38 members
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Midwest Express(ly)
34 members
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Employers who have hir...
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Hello...I live in Ithaca New York and work at a community development credit union. I am part of a diversity group within my job and we are working on various issues surrounding our diverse membership. Part of my contribution to the group is to ac...
I will be presenting a keynote address at "First Event 2010" in Peabody, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. First Event, an annual event presented for the past 29 years by The Tiffany Club of New England, will be held January 13-17, 2010.
The...
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I wanted to let you know how this turned out. I actually talked to a person in a supervisory position twice. The first time I called him, I explained the situation. I told him up front that I was trasngendered and that I really only want to disclose this on a need to know basis. He listened very carefully understood the situation. He sincerely apologized and wanted to review this with the supervisor and the actual person with whom I talked. He was able to find out who it was and reviewed with them that they are only to ask the question "are you married?" and husband/wife name. They are not to pass judgment - only collect the info. When he called back with the outcome, I thanked him and told him that my goal was not to "come down" on the person on the phone, but rather to address the policy. He agreed that there is no need to disclose my gender identity. I asked why the marriage info was even needed. He said the primary reason is to determine if there is any co-insurance issues and next of kin. I ended the conversation feeling good and felt that if I was called again by the admission folks, there would not be a problem. However, I would really like to test the actual process somehow (must be the engineer in me!). Not sure how to do this, got any ideas? Thanks for your help and input.
Stephanie Peck
Thanks so much for your reply. The answers to both questions is no. I did not tell the admin person on the phone that I was a transgender woman and no, I do not have my spouse documented as my POA.
I do not have any problem outing myself when the situation is one of a need-to-know. In this particular case, I did not feel that this was needed. Maybe I should have. Prehaps the admissions group is trained to recognise a transgender marriage. I will be calling the supervisor today to get more info on that.
I see your point about well intended worker just following her orders, which happens to be don't recognize same sex marriage. My beef is not with her, rather it is with the system in general.
My spouse has continued to stay with me thru this transition and probably top on her list of fears or things that make her angry is the non-recognition of our marriage by some people. It seems unfair that we need to show documentation that we are married. Unfair because hetero couples do not need to show documentation. I think that is the heart of the matter.
I agree that this state, as good as it is, unfortunately does not recognize same sex marriage (yet). I feel that I have to speak out to bring this to their attention -squeeky wheel theory. However, to be practical, the POA idea would at least get her listed on the form- good advice. Mean while while I recovery from surgery, she can continue to raise awareness, protest march and work on changing laws in Minnesota.
I really appreciate your input.
Stephanie
Thanks for your input.
Ok, Here is the situation. I am transgender MtF. I transitioned in November 2006 on the job. I got married in 1978 to a woman (as a man and woman) in Indiana. We are still married. Just celebrated 31 years!
A week ago, I needed to be answer some questions over the phone to be pre-admitted for some surgery I was expecting to have at a local large Minneapolis / St Paul hospital. I was asked the usual questions: Name, address, health insurance, and of course the question “Are you married?” to which I answered yes.
The admission person asked my husband’s name, to which I replied “XXXX, and she is female.”
Admission person says “ If she is female, then you are not considered married.”
I say “Yes I am married”
We went back and forth a few times, she did not budge. So, I think my wife was left off the information form as next of kin.
I was very much caught off guard and did not know exactly what to say.
The issue: we were married (legally) as a man and woman. I transitioned and now we are transwoman and woman. I legally changed my name, and gender on passport and driver’s license. I know we are still married, no one can un-marry us. I think that I was discriminated against, since this admission person would not accept us as a married couple.
I want to contact the hospital admissions supervisor on Monday or Tuesday to revisit this issue and explain my point. I want to see the hospital policy changed. In the short term, I think for my case, I have a legal case to have my wife listed as my spouse (not husband) on the next of kin. Long term, I want the hospital policy to be changed for all couples (GLBT and straight too). Any suggestions on what to say?
Thanks
Stephanie
Welcome to this group. You have quite an amazing web site and your list of accomplishments is incredible. I feel as if I am in the presence of greatness. Thank you for your hard work. I would like to ask you a transgender discrimination issue question, but not workplace related.
Now, I ask humbly Would you be open to an email discussion? Here on this site or perhaps a different personal email address? ...Stephanie