Ironically, just a day after we were discussing transgender employment opportunities, another LGBT Job Fair story popped up from Salt Lake City.
I immediately became suspicious of this item because of how silent the "T" may have been. Obviously, employers face many more hurdles on their end hiring trans employees as opposed to gay or lesbian workers. I was considering the transgender title was nothing more than window dressing.
But, this event was organized by the Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah. and was their second annual TGLBQ Job Fair. The event was attended by 10 local employers, all committed to TGLBQ equality in the workplace, and about 50 job-seekers, significantly surpassing last year’s inaugural numbers. The primary goal of the job fair was to show employers that “the TGLBQ community has an immense amount of untapped talent,” and to help that talent find jobs with companies who appreciate them and value diversity.
It is important to point out, more job seekers are questioning a company's diversity these days. Diversity is being viewed as an indicator of how good and progressive a company is. Now if more cities would recognize the same thing (where I live doesn't) more economic development would come their way. But as is said in sports "you can't coach stupid."
Saturday, April 5, 2014
If it Walks Like a Duck, Looks Like a Duck, is it a Duck?
I started to write this Cyrsti's Condo post after I read someone's comment (I paraphrase), if she was able to interact with women - as a woman- does that make her a woman? Good question and way too complex to discuss in one post-or ten.
Since the venerable "sex is between the legs" and "gender is between the ears" quote is beginning to go the route of most other "discussions" in the transgender community - into bickering hell, I had to try to come up with something different to toss into the mix. Eventually I went from hell no that's too easy, to why not? She just could be on to something. If gender is a perception held mainly from others, then she is a woman because she is perceived as one plus she perceives herself as one. Finally, I came away with one certainty, all the thinking made my head hurt! Remember the old cheap shot, "look at the head on that?" What would have Einstein thought? Is that what happened to his hair?
As I said though, I didn't plan on continuing to write on the vague concepts above. (Aren't you lucky?) Instead, a mere three word question got my attention, "are you (me) a pre opt transsexual?" Well, in the strictest of terms yes and no. Yes, because of totality of my lifestyle and No, because I don't feel the need for surgery (SRS).
That's as simplistic as my backward noggin can make it. Without another headache of course!
Since the venerable "sex is between the legs" and "gender is between the ears" quote is beginning to go the route of most other "discussions" in the transgender community - into bickering hell, I had to try to come up with something different to toss into the mix. Eventually I went from hell no that's too easy, to why not? She just could be on to something. If gender is a perception held mainly from others, then she is a woman because she is perceived as one plus she perceives herself as one. Finally, I came away with one certainty, all the thinking made my head hurt! Remember the old cheap shot, "look at the head on that?" What would have Einstein thought? Is that what happened to his hair?
As I said though, I didn't plan on continuing to write on the vague concepts above. (Aren't you lucky?) Instead, a mere three word question got my attention, "are you (me) a pre opt transsexual?" Well, in the strictest of terms yes and no. Yes, because of totality of my lifestyle and No, because I don't feel the need for surgery (SRS).
That's as simplistic as my backward noggin can make it. Without another headache of course!
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girl" of the Day
Our Saturday feature cover is yet another beautiful androgynous male model, Makarov ViktorFriday, April 4, 2014
Transgender "Battle of the Babes"
From the Noosa News down under comes the story of a young transgender woman who isn't so much battling to be a "babe" as much as she is to be in the contest at all. Here's a look at part of the story:
AN aspiring transgender model has vowed to take to the catwalk tomorrow night despite a row over whether she was eligible to enter a beauty contest.
Aucklander Amy Brosnahan (left), 18, said she wanted to represent transgender women in the competition and show they shouldn't back down when they faced opposition.
Organisers for the beauty contest - called Battle of the Babes - were forced into a u-turn after initially telling Amy she could not compete when she came out as a trans-woman.
"I'm sort of doing it as a stand, to show other transgenders that they can do anything they want to do, they just have to sometimes fight for it," she said.
"Some of them aren't [confident enough to] take action, [but] things like this need to be spoken about more often."
For more on the story, go here. Good luck Amy!!!!!
AN aspiring transgender model has vowed to take to the catwalk tomorrow night despite a row over whether she was eligible to enter a beauty contest.
Aucklander Amy Brosnahan (left), 18, said she wanted to represent transgender women in the competition and show they shouldn't back down when they faced opposition.
Organisers for the beauty contest - called Battle of the Babes - were forced into a u-turn after initially telling Amy she could not compete when she came out as a trans-woman.
"I'm sort of doing it as a stand, to show other transgenders that they can do anything they want to do, they just have to sometimes fight for it," she said.
"Some of them aren't [confident enough to] take action, [but] things like this need to be spoken about more often."
For more on the story, go here. Good luck Amy!!!!!
Cyrsti's Condo "Cover Girls" of the Day
As a Friday "change of pace" I decided to pass along to you a "before and after" video of many famous transsexual women and transgender men.
Hey Buddy! Can "Ya" Spare a Girl a Job?
It's difficult enough to find a job for anyone these days, let alone a transgender candidate. In an interesting exchange I heard not long ago (between a lesbian and trans woman) about jobs, the trans woman told the lesbian "she had a choice to wear gay." Meaning of course, she could "femme" it up to get hired and or stay hired. We can discuss all the possible scenarios of that exchange forever but in the mean time, trans folks remained unemployed at an estimated twice the national rate. Fortunately, there is help beginning to emerge.
US News and World Report recently ran a useful article called "How to Manage a Job Search as a Transgender Candidate."
One of the initial problem/solutions which caught my eye was :
Deciding how to handle disclosure of your identity. Choosing whether and how to reveal that your gender identity is different from the gender you were assigned at birth is personal, but some application materials will inquire about your legal name. Some transgender job seekers have not changed their legal names, but those who have might run into trouble and confusion if an employer requests they submit to a background check that requires paperwork. “An application is a legal document, and if what you report doesn’t match with what an employer finds, they could let you go," Farley** says. She recommends job seekers write the first initial and surname of their legal name on applications. “That allows a job seeker to include the information that’s required by law, but not to have to qualify birth gender.”
Other ideas were job fairs. If you are fortunate enough to live close to major metropolitan areas, a few even have transgender job fairs. Of course, I am not one of those but at the Trans Ohio Symposium last spring, two major financial institutions had hiring presentations. As a former employer and a retired one now, one of my biggest hiring points was how a person looked and acted. It's easy for me to say but I think getting dressed in my best business professional attire and going to any job fair, could be beneficial. At the least, the company would see immediately if they may have interest in me. Anymore, with all the on line resume shuffle going on, the most we can ask for is a human face to sell ourselves to
Of course, networking was mentioned as well as sites such as LinkedIn. Finally, simple basics such as word of mouth and studying a companies CEI Index. Which is the: Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, an annual report that scores major businesses according to their practices and policies pertinent to LGBT employees. The top CEI score an employer could receive is 100 percent – this year, Apple Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. were two of the companies to earn top marks.
So there you go, a few ideas on getting a job. I know it's a tough world out there!
**Clair Farley, is the associate director of economic development for the San Francisco LGBT Center, which runs the nation’s first Transgender Employment Program.
US News and World Report recently ran a useful article called "How to Manage a Job Search as a Transgender Candidate."
One of the initial problem/solutions which caught my eye was :
Deciding how to handle disclosure of your identity. Choosing whether and how to reveal that your gender identity is different from the gender you were assigned at birth is personal, but some application materials will inquire about your legal name. Some transgender job seekers have not changed their legal names, but those who have might run into trouble and confusion if an employer requests they submit to a background check that requires paperwork. “An application is a legal document, and if what you report doesn’t match with what an employer finds, they could let you go," Farley** says. She recommends job seekers write the first initial and surname of their legal name on applications. “That allows a job seeker to include the information that’s required by law, but not to have to qualify birth gender.”
Other ideas were job fairs. If you are fortunate enough to live close to major metropolitan areas, a few even have transgender job fairs. Of course, I am not one of those but at the Trans Ohio Symposium last spring, two major financial institutions had hiring presentations. As a former employer and a retired one now, one of my biggest hiring points was how a person looked and acted. It's easy for me to say but I think getting dressed in my best business professional attire and going to any job fair, could be beneficial. At the least, the company would see immediately if they may have interest in me. Anymore, with all the on line resume shuffle going on, the most we can ask for is a human face to sell ourselves to
Of course, networking was mentioned as well as sites such as LinkedIn. Finally, simple basics such as word of mouth and studying a companies CEI Index. Which is the: Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, an annual report that scores major businesses according to their practices and policies pertinent to LGBT employees. The top CEI score an employer could receive is 100 percent – this year, Apple Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. were two of the companies to earn top marks.
So there you go, a few ideas on getting a job. I know it's a tough world out there!
**Clair Farley, is the associate director of economic development for the San Francisco LGBT Center, which runs the nation’s first Transgender Employment Program.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Living Trans in Rural America
Not long ago I wrote a post here in Cyrsti's Condo which included a link to a topic called "Transphobia in Rural America."
Shelle, who lives in rural Indiana responded:
Some thoughts from the rural location I live in,my area consists of Lafayette,and West Lafayette,In. two small cities separated by the Wabash river,and a very intellectual divide as well.I grew up on the Lafayette side of the river a mostly redneck farming community,on the other side of the river lies Purdue University,while there are very minimal resources for girls on my side of the river,there are pretty good resources available on Campus at Purdue
I have managed to become friends with the guy who runs the office of Diversity and Inclusion so have something but I find the people there look at themselves as better than the rest of us.One Of the persons there has also taken over the Transgender part of our local pride office,I have tried to understand how to deal with this person but am failing miserably she/he claims to be Transgender but gender fluid Identifying as what ever from day to day,I can't even wrap my head around what pronouns to use around her/him.
She/he recently posted on the pride site that Transgender,now includes these people. Transmasculine,Genderqueer,MT3,Third gender,Gender Questioning,Gender Binary,Neutrois,Gender fluid,FtX,FtL,Transfeminine,Two Spirit,Pangender,MtX,Bigender,Ft3,Androgynous,FtM,Trans* man,MtF,Omnigender,Agender,Trans*woman,Gender non-binary,Abigender,MtI,Fourth Gender,Transgender. Hell I used to think I sort of understood my condition,But now now not having a clue what some of these things even are I'm more confused than ever?
Thanks Shelle, I think there is always the person who tries to "overdo" it and in some cases is trying to justify their "diversity" job. I did bring it up at the Trans Ohio meeting that simply discussing genders in a class room setting is only that. Unless the system is trying to bring real life individuals in from the community along with the occasional transgender student on campus who has come out, then the overall benefit is diminished.
I use the amazing concentration of resources in Stana's part of the world as an example of what could be. But those of us who don't live on the right or left coasts know how limited our resources are. Not to say things aren't improving, but there still is a long way to go.
It's just me Shelle, but I think the "50" genders similar to the new Facebook classifications are merely the beginning of the younger gen beginning to figure this mess out. They are doing a great job already but just don't know it yet!
Shelle, who lives in rural Indiana responded:
Some thoughts from the rural location I live in,my area consists of Lafayette,and West Lafayette,In. two small cities separated by the Wabash river,and a very intellectual divide as well.I grew up on the Lafayette side of the river a mostly redneck farming community,on the other side of the river lies Purdue University,while there are very minimal resources for girls on my side of the river,there are pretty good resources available on Campus at Purdue
I have managed to become friends with the guy who runs the office of Diversity and Inclusion so have something but I find the people there look at themselves as better than the rest of us.One Of the persons there has also taken over the Transgender part of our local pride office,I have tried to understand how to deal with this person but am failing miserably she/he claims to be Transgender but gender fluid Identifying as what ever from day to day,I can't even wrap my head around what pronouns to use around her/him.
She/he recently posted on the pride site that Transgender,now includes these people. Transmasculine,Genderqueer,MT3,Third gender,Gender Questioning,Gender Binary,Neutrois,Gender fluid,FtX,FtL,Transfeminine,Two Spirit,Pangender,MtX,Bigender,Ft3,Androgynous,FtM,Trans* man,MtF,Omnigender,Agender,Trans*woman,Gender non-binary,Abigender,MtI,Fourth Gender,Transgender. Hell I used to think I sort of understood my condition,But now now not having a clue what some of these things even are I'm more confused than ever?
Thanks Shelle, I think there is always the person who tries to "overdo" it and in some cases is trying to justify their "diversity" job. I did bring it up at the Trans Ohio meeting that simply discussing genders in a class room setting is only that. Unless the system is trying to bring real life individuals in from the community along with the occasional transgender student on campus who has come out, then the overall benefit is diminished.
I use the amazing concentration of resources in Stana's part of the world as an example of what could be. But those of us who don't live on the right or left coasts know how limited our resources are. Not to say things aren't improving, but there still is a long way to go.
It's just me Shelle, but I think the "50" genders similar to the new Facebook classifications are merely the beginning of the younger gen beginning to figure this mess out. They are doing a great job already but just don't know it yet!
We Got Mail!
I have bunches of responses from many of you to get to! Thanks!
First of all, a touch of politics from our Gender Proud post from Pat:
I wonder if Geena's group 'Gender Proud' will be confused with GOProud (www.goproud.org) which is a group that I follow. GOProud was formed after the 2008 election. I also follow the much older and established Log Cabin Republicans (www.logcabin.org).
While these groups support many causes and do what they can to push their political positions forward their primary goal is to promote the LG causes from a position of conservative libertarian inclusiveness. While most of the participation is from LG Republicans and I would like to see more participation from T folks I believe that both groups would be more than accepting of T people. You should check them out to see who are the active movers in these groups and who have worked with them.
An interesting point. Any more Pat, I think it's a shame too many people dismiss one or the other of the major political parties out of hand-without looking a little deeper.
Jennifer commented on our "In the Company of Women" post and my "ring selfie":
Thank you for sharing. I love the rings. I myself follow nature in my spiritual journey. It feels right to me. I am glad your exploring this. Be blessed and keep the positive thoughts flowing.
Thanks Jennifer! As I have pointed out, I have such a long way to go with yet another journey but indeed this one feels right. In my part of the world too, I'm trying to experience more how the native American people related to the earth. Allow me to send some positive thoughts back your way!
Speaking of relating to the earth, I know Paula is a serious gardener and sent along the hint that raking is a good way to tighten the tummy muscles...and riding a motorcycle on a cold wet day isn't the top way to travel. From what I gathered about the UK weather recently, you have had your share of rain and other folks share too. Finally, thanks Paula for your compliment on the new blog design!
Terrance, a transgender Navy man of color, commented how much he loved our transgender military service member quote: I Fought for your right to Hate Me!" Terrance, as much as I dislike using the "hate" word, I'm thinking of getting the slogan put on a T-Shirt for a few of the pride events this summer. Thanks for checking in!
There is one more comment to get to and I am going to save it back for a future post.
First of all, a touch of politics from our Gender Proud post from Pat:
I wonder if Geena's group 'Gender Proud' will be confused with GOProud (www.goproud.org) which is a group that I follow. GOProud was formed after the 2008 election. I also follow the much older and established Log Cabin Republicans (www.logcabin.org).
While these groups support many causes and do what they can to push their political positions forward their primary goal is to promote the LG causes from a position of conservative libertarian inclusiveness. While most of the participation is from LG Republicans and I would like to see more participation from T folks I believe that both groups would be more than accepting of T people. You should check them out to see who are the active movers in these groups and who have worked with them.
An interesting point. Any more Pat, I think it's a shame too many people dismiss one or the other of the major political parties out of hand-without looking a little deeper.
Jennifer commented on our "In the Company of Women" post and my "ring selfie":
Thank you for sharing. I love the rings. I myself follow nature in my spiritual journey. It feels right to me. I am glad your exploring this. Be blessed and keep the positive thoughts flowing.
Thanks Jennifer! As I have pointed out, I have such a long way to go with yet another journey but indeed this one feels right. In my part of the world too, I'm trying to experience more how the native American people related to the earth. Allow me to send some positive thoughts back your way!
Speaking of relating to the earth, I know Paula is a serious gardener and sent along the hint that raking is a good way to tighten the tummy muscles...and riding a motorcycle on a cold wet day isn't the top way to travel. From what I gathered about the UK weather recently, you have had your share of rain and other folks share too. Finally, thanks Paula for your compliment on the new blog design!
Terrance, a transgender Navy man of color, commented how much he loved our transgender military service member quote: I Fought for your right to Hate Me!" Terrance, as much as I dislike using the "hate" word, I'm thinking of getting the slogan put on a T-Shirt for a few of the pride events this summer. Thanks for checking in!
There is one more comment to get to and I am going to save it back for a future post.
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