out at work

as of yesterday 3/25/09 i am officially completely irrevocably OUT at work.
*confetti and balloons fall from the top of my skull throughout my body*

that was certainly fast. after the whole talk with my personal HR representative (i only call her that cause i like her so much..lol) there was about a one month delay of nothingness. i wasnt worried per se.. i was sure we would get down to business at some point. on 3/11 i was given a deadline by which time i was supposed to have talked to my manager. despite what i was thinking i talked to him that day. took a trip to california 3/19 - 3/23 and returned to work with a policy change plan and an immediate request for a meeting with HR. my rep was like.. essentially we want to get all of this done by the end of the week. this was tuesday. uum.. ok, sure.
i met with my rep and the VP of HR. i reviewed the company-wide email that was to be sent out and the new Non-Discrimination policy which now included Gender Identity...sweet. it included workplace expectations on pronoun usage (male pronouns effective immediately), restroom usage (use of male restrooms effective immediately), and rights to privacy (dont think you can ask me all types of stupid weird shit cause im the only tran person you know - you might be fired). we even talked about health care as they want to be able to provide wellness for me and keep me employeed while i leave for surgery(ies?). amazingness. (i know its not a word..lol).
my Executive VP wanted to deliver the news to my team personally as an expression of his support.. (would make me teary-eyed if i could squeeze more than a mini-tear out these days). i got a call tuesday afternoon that my EVP wouldnt be available thursday or friday so that the meeting would be the next day (wednesday). ooh! lol ok.
nervous and a bit scared i spent a LOT of time in my HR ladys office yesterday. had a bit of a time concentrating on work too. it turned out ok in the end.. a couple of people at work came to me to express their support...one guy even congratulated me. :) good stuff. all good stuff.
i can tell who is uncomfortable about it.. and i expected it. /shrug. such is life. i do good work.. and they have to work with me so... at some point theyll get over it.. or they wont and itll just suck for them. ;)
anyway.. feelin pretty good about that. i dont know that ill use the large mens room during busy times.. at least not until ive got a new/functioning stp but..i could if wanted. AND i dont have to shave anymore! im stoked. lol!

theres so much other stuff going on ..but nothing as exciting at this. :)

back soon...

Raymond