Transitioning from one gender to another is difficult and stressful in any workplace . But is it any harder to transition in a male dominated workplace , such as the fire and rescue service ?
“ Like everyone who has gone on this journey I found it difficult but I couldn ’ t have wished for better treatment from my workmates . I was initially hesitant to come out for fear of not being understood . I thought being transgender would be seen as too much of a problem and I wouldn ’ t be accepted at all . I worried that I ’ d be dismissed or harassed out of the job I loved if people knew . I couldn ’ t have been more wrong .”
Despite beginning his transition , having undergone a double mastectomy to remove his breasts and taking injections of the male hormone testosterone – causing him to grow facial hair and his voice to deepen - Nic still hadn ’ t told his employers or colleagues . It all came to a head when he was called into a meeting with his station manager . “ He referred to my pre-transition name and I just lost it . He got both barrels . I just blurted it out because I was so frustrated .”
Expecting the worst , Nic was surprised when his manager ’ s first reaction was to make sure he got all the help and support he needed . Cheshire ’ s equalities and diversity officer was in almost daily contact with him and when Nic needed time off to complete his surgeries he was granted it no questions asked .
After coming out as transgender , Nic spent a further six months at the same station where although he felt more at ease , there were times when colleagues would mistakenly refer to Nic as ‘ she ’ or ‘ her ’. “ I could understand why people would get confused as it takes time to adapt . However I felt a fresh start at another station would be the best move ”, Nic says .
Joining Runcorn fire station in 2011 , Nic was able to be his true self from the outset . Although his new colleagues were informed of his situation and were introduced to what being transgender meant , they had never known Nic other than the man he is today . Nowadays , Nic is able to be completely open with his workmates . “ It has been a long journey but I have some of the best workmates possible . At this point they ’ re family to me . I am finally living my life as who I am meant to be , not just existing .”
Nic strongly believes there is an urgent need for transgender role models and if he can fill that void , then so be it . He wants other transgender people to know there are positive stories of people transitioning in the fire and rescue service , and says that if he had known about the positive experiences of others himself it may have made his journey easier . “ When I first began my transition I felt too afraid to ask for help . I don ’ t want anyone else to feel alone like I did ”.
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