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1st March - thinking about coming out and career prospects

Working in a professional firm, and one of the more conservative professions at that, I am worried that transitioning would be the end of any prospects for my career.  I don't think they could legally fire me, but I would not expect to ever see any more career progression.  

It was quite heartening to see an email newsletter from our professional body with a series of articles on diversity and inclusion and LGBT people in the profession.  Specifically, there was an article and interview with a trans woman who had transitioned whilst at her firm, been supported in doing so, and subsequently had made partner.  It sounds like her firm is open to diversity and this has not held back her career.  Good for her!

I have reached out to connect via Linked In as it may be good to be able to talk with someone who has been there and come out of the other side, given that I am potentially going to be facing the coming out at work challenge myself.  

My direct team and people I work with day-to-day will all be fine, I'm sure.  

I can't say that I am entirely optimistic about the response of the senior people in my firm.  They've only recently realised that promoting women to partner is a good idea, and across the whole workforce, I'm only aware of about 1% who are openly LGB and 0% who are trans.  If / when I come out as trans, I am definitely going to be the first and only person to do so.  This does not feel like a comfortable position to be in.  


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