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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