Sent in my transition disclosure letter to everyone in the workplace. It was super keen, everyone said it was very eloquent. Yay!
Here's my chant:
Some clarity to my particular situation. For public release.
To my colleagues and friends,
The following is a very personal relation of me that I no longer have need to keep in confinement. It is a weight that I have carried of which I can no longer, and will no longer continue to carry as it is too much for one person to bear.
Many may have already known about my transitioning in the workplace. However, to those that do not, there is no easy way to relate to everyone that I am transsexual. For many years I have been in transition, from a fairly fragmented male identity, to a more holistic female identity. I have been struggling with this for as early as I can remember; I just did not have the courage or resources to come to terms with it in my tumultuous past. Rather, one comes to a somber belief that torment is a normal part of every minute of ones life and lifetime.
In light of current culture, it is not a simple subject to comprehend or for that matter, deal with. In effect, a good number of transsexuals including myself have existed in a masquerade of who the general public might think we appear to be. Many have become very skilled in creating such a faade for a large part of their life. So much so, that sometimes others cannot tell if there is something, off, wrong, or different. A good number of transsexuals were not able to come to know what a communion of ones soul identity to ones manifested body is. A part of this reality is, a good number of us, are not only assaulted by the stigmas of society, but more so by our own inner fears and bigotries.
Yet, as with any great recognition of nature, one can only hold back a leaking dam for so long. With such, I could not maintain the strength to blockade my own identity from the rest of all living realities. In essence, one that cannot live with oneself will never find life worth living. For a heart that has lost its path, cannot find its way home without help from those that carry the spirit of loving care.
On the sunny side, when I have finally let go and fully come to terms with myself; I have discovered a brilliance that I did not think was possible. Because of such, I exist as I do today, and then some. In character, I am still the same Alex that you have known. Only, a little lighter and somewhat less morose for those that may have caught me in an endless moment of thought. Also, no, I am not on a diet or bench pressing more, it is just a hormonal treatment that has displaced my body mass.
Some words on etiquette, I never expected to come out to everyone or change as I did. Yet, since I did, I am adjusting to this new lifestyle just as much as everyone else is adjusting to my changes. Regarding use of pronouns, I prefer the use of feminine pronouns when relating to me. However, I will understand if someone belts out a he or him for one or two million times. After all, this isnt an over night process. It just becomes uncomfortable for me, especially if I am around people who I have never met before. As well, I am not portraying a male identity, so one might understand my discomfort. Perhaps, it may be easier for everyone if they reference me by name as opposed to utilizing a binary pronoun. Of course, do what one is able, as this is only a request from me.
A small note on such in regards to personal safety and security. There is no assurance that every interaction with people I come across will be one of good will. I suppose it may be my paranoia. However, I have encountered enough information to know that there are those out there who feel they have every right to physically harass and assault those who are different from what they have come to know. In some cases, the only catalyst to drive such hate is a simple difference in lifestyle. Should such be the case, all I have in my defense is trust in my own faith that everything will be ok. I am not a peace keeper, so I do not have the capacity to raise my own defense outside of trying to exit from a heated situation.
To ease some discomfort in finding a sense of understanding. In relation to what a transsexual is, and how it relates to oneself or everything else. I would encourage everyone to ask me any questions that I might be able to answer. Also, it might be easier for others to research that information by themselves. Regardless of the case, I have provided some insight below that may provide some assistance.
The Transsexual Person in Your Life: Responses to some frequently asked questions/frequently held concerns
http://www.tsfaq.info/cgi-bin/index.cgi
Dr. Jamie Koufmans relates her experiences in transitioning.
http://www.inbroaddaylight.net/home.htm
Excerpt from the page below: The purpose of this page, and it's links, is to help clear the haze for anyone who has questions about what being transgendered is about and like.
http://www.transfamily.org/trans.htm
Mission excerpt from the page below: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.
http://www.pflagchicago.com/
A very detailed and technical document on the gender paradigm.
http://www.transgendercare.com/guidance/what_is_gender.htm
Here's my chant:
Some clarity to my particular situation. For public release.
To my colleagues and friends,
The following is a very personal relation of me that I no longer have need to keep in confinement. It is a weight that I have carried of which I can no longer, and will no longer continue to carry as it is too much for one person to bear.
Many may have already known about my transitioning in the workplace. However, to those that do not, there is no easy way to relate to everyone that I am transsexual. For many years I have been in transition, from a fairly fragmented male identity, to a more holistic female identity. I have been struggling with this for as early as I can remember; I just did not have the courage or resources to come to terms with it in my tumultuous past. Rather, one comes to a somber belief that torment is a normal part of every minute of ones life and lifetime.
In light of current culture, it is not a simple subject to comprehend or for that matter, deal with. In effect, a good number of transsexuals including myself have existed in a masquerade of who the general public might think we appear to be. Many have become very skilled in creating such a faade for a large part of their life. So much so, that sometimes others cannot tell if there is something, off, wrong, or different. A good number of transsexuals were not able to come to know what a communion of ones soul identity to ones manifested body is. A part of this reality is, a good number of us, are not only assaulted by the stigmas of society, but more so by our own inner fears and bigotries.
Yet, as with any great recognition of nature, one can only hold back a leaking dam for so long. With such, I could not maintain the strength to blockade my own identity from the rest of all living realities. In essence, one that cannot live with oneself will never find life worth living. For a heart that has lost its path, cannot find its way home without help from those that carry the spirit of loving care.
On the sunny side, when I have finally let go and fully come to terms with myself; I have discovered a brilliance that I did not think was possible. Because of such, I exist as I do today, and then some. In character, I am still the same Alex that you have known. Only, a little lighter and somewhat less morose for those that may have caught me in an endless moment of thought. Also, no, I am not on a diet or bench pressing more, it is just a hormonal treatment that has displaced my body mass.
Some words on etiquette, I never expected to come out to everyone or change as I did. Yet, since I did, I am adjusting to this new lifestyle just as much as everyone else is adjusting to my changes. Regarding use of pronouns, I prefer the use of feminine pronouns when relating to me. However, I will understand if someone belts out a he or him for one or two million times. After all, this isnt an over night process. It just becomes uncomfortable for me, especially if I am around people who I have never met before. As well, I am not portraying a male identity, so one might understand my discomfort. Perhaps, it may be easier for everyone if they reference me by name as opposed to utilizing a binary pronoun. Of course, do what one is able, as this is only a request from me.
A small note on such in regards to personal safety and security. There is no assurance that every interaction with people I come across will be one of good will. I suppose it may be my paranoia. However, I have encountered enough information to know that there are those out there who feel they have every right to physically harass and assault those who are different from what they have come to know. In some cases, the only catalyst to drive such hate is a simple difference in lifestyle. Should such be the case, all I have in my defense is trust in my own faith that everything will be ok. I am not a peace keeper, so I do not have the capacity to raise my own defense outside of trying to exit from a heated situation.
To ease some discomfort in finding a sense of understanding. In relation to what a transsexual is, and how it relates to oneself or everything else. I would encourage everyone to ask me any questions that I might be able to answer. Also, it might be easier for others to research that information by themselves. Regardless of the case, I have provided some insight below that may provide some assistance.
The Transsexual Person in Your Life: Responses to some frequently asked questions/frequently held concerns
http://www.tsfaq.info/cgi-bin/index.cgi
Dr. Jamie Koufmans relates her experiences in transitioning.
http://www.inbroaddaylight.net/home.htm
Excerpt from the page below: The purpose of this page, and it's links, is to help clear the haze for anyone who has questions about what being transgendered is about and like.
http://www.transfamily.org/trans.htm
Mission excerpt from the page below: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.
http://www.pflagchicago.com/
A very detailed and technical document on the gender paradigm.
http://www.transgendercare.com/guidance/what_is_gender.htm
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
hotpinkauras:
You are a very strong woman...and in the words of my hypnosis teacher, there is nothing wrong with you, you are exactly as you should be! I am going to write these links down for my freind Sughi, who used to be my nanny. I got a lot of crap from people for having her as my nanny, but i embrace everyone bc i know we are all loved by the infinate Creator 
I hpe you have a wonderful day!
I hpe you have a wonderful day!
hotpinkauras:
how r u?