Coming out as transgender is a brave move, but you need to understand that doing so could lead to some difficulties in your professional life. While no company is allowed to discriminate based on gender, the fact is that in practice there are some workplaces that are behind the times when it comes to transgender equality. If you believe you have experienced discrimination in the workplace because you are transgender, here are some tips to keep in mind.

First, Offer Light Corrections

In order to prove that someone is discriminating against you based on the fact that you are transgender, you need to establish that there is a pattern of abuse. For example, if someone uses the wrong pronoun when speaking to you after you are out as transgender, offer a gentle correction. Be patient with your coworkers as they adjust to your new reality. But if the wrong pronoun keeps getting used, there may be something else going on. 

Start Documenting

When it comes to discrimination lawsuits, whoever has the most paperwork usually wins. If someone continues to call you by the wrong name, the wrong pronoun, or is even more explicit with their abuse, you can create documentation about what is happening. Put down where you were, what was said, who said it, and the names of any nearby witnesses who heard what happened. Continue to raise your objections.

Contact HR

It's important to note that most human resources departments are there primarily to protect the employer and not always the employee, but you should still give your company a chance to sort things out. Contact HR and tell them about the abuse or discriminatory behavior. You can show them some of your documentation to let them know you are serious.

Contact a Lawyer

After a certain point, the time for talking and discussion is over. If there are people in your workplace who are repeatedly disrespecting you because of your gender choice, you may be able to take legal action. Contact a local attorney who offers gender discrimination law services to move forward with your case. Sometimes, even just a phone call from an attorney to your boss or company's HR team may be enough to get people to realize that you are not going to take it anymore and they better change their ways.

Contact a gender discrimination law service to learn more about your options.

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