The political situation for trans people in the southern US has been devolving rapidly and I’m looking to move to a protected state. I’m going to start applying to jobs soon, and I’ve been considering whether I should apply as my dead self or not.
I haven’t changed my legal name yet, so my job applications immediately out me as trans and even if it didn’t I don’t pass at all currently, so if I got an interview I’d be outed then. I’ve been reading about how hard it is to get a job as a trans woman and I’ll need all the help I can get to get out of this shithole state.
It would kill me to have to go back into the closet for work, but the alternative is being potentially stuck in a place that will forcibly detransition me which is way worse.
Has anyone been in this situation or has any advice?
Just my thoughts as a cis man, so feel free to ignore me: If you feel safer applying with your dead name and being closeted during the interview process, I’d say that’s a good idea. If you come out after you’re hired and have been working long enough to establish a home there, and they don’t accept you, you can always look for a new job then. Or honestly, it might be a good idea to start interviewing as your real self and maybe even have an offer in hand before coming out at your then current job.
Oh, also California (specifically the Bay Area) is super accepting. I used to live there and worked with several people who came out while I was their coworker. I didn’t notice any discrimination after they came out. It may have occurred and been under my radar, but I didn’t see anything blatant. It’s expensive, but it’s an awesome place to live.