Non-binary in the Workplace: My Experiences

A (bit of a marathon!) recap of my experiences, positive and negative, navigating being non-binary at various levels of "outness" in the workplace, and a reflection on my recent interview and the impact it had on me.

[@ollykay4871]

Thank you for this video. I'm a non binary college student and I'm close to graduating so I'm starting to freak out about what getting a job is going to be like for me. It's good to know your experience, even if it was bad. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for what could happen. I'm so sorry your experience has been so negative. I have hope that the future will be better for you, and I hope you do too.

[@samjamz7009]

Hi friend! I appreciate you saying this so much, and I’m sending all the good vibes I have that you’ll also have a positive experience. It’s really scary to put yourself out there and be vulnerable, but what I found was that when I did and owned that conversation on my terms the right opportunities started finding me. This video is a few years old now, and it shows me basically at rock bottom. It was hard to rewatch because I acutely remember how painful and scary this time was. But it also lit a fire in me to make sure that my field didn’t keep doing this to other people (or worse, patients who are trying to access care). So, just a brief update: I’m now a pharmacist (in a post-grad residency program) at a large LGBTQ non-profit health system. I’m also going to be teaching at a pharmacy school alongside a faculty member who is also trans. And I’m hoping to start publishing papers this year that improve care for trans and non-binary people in my field. I didn’t get here with all sunshine and daisies, but I made it through my training and now I’m here. And I’m really glad I am. In short: fuck anyone who makes you feel small. You are brilliant, and you have so much to offer to your field and to this world. And if nothing else, know that I’m rooting for you ♥️

[@jaybergh7068]

Thank you for posting your experience. I work in finance and have also struggled to be out at work and to be "seen" especially in such a straight white male-dominated field.

[@caitlincarter2068]

I know this is an older video, but I just watched it because I'm starting the process of coming out at work this week. I work in mental healthcare, which seems like it would be more accepting, but it's a South Carolina state facility, so there's a lot of more narrow mindsets here. This video is extremely helpful (and the puppy is cute), but the main reason I'm commenting is because you said you're mad at yourself for just putting your head down and taking it. We do what we have to do to survive in our environment. You did what made you feel safe and I hope you're able to feel more comfortable speaking up for yourself now and that you give yourself grace when you don't feel like you can.

[@gillb9222]

I'm really sorry you went through a bad experience at the pharmacy Sam. Having worked in a negative environment I know how difficult it is but it must be worse when it is around something like your gender which is so personal and fundamental to who you are. It is shocking that employers can behave like that. In the UK the law is supposed to stop this kind of behaviour. It doesn't stop people's opinions but there is at least a legal recourse (though it costs a lot of money and takes forever to get to court), are there not the dame laws where you are? I'm so glad you are in a better place now and I'm glad you are happy. Thanks for posting this video. It does make a difference to people x

[@kaitlynlillia]

thanks so much for this, I have been really struggling at work because i am not out cause i don’t really know how to be like hey btw i’m non binary now not a girl and i use my preferred name but i am just nervous