Hi Lemmy,
Apologies if this is a dumb question.
I have a trans person that I supervise and I know he is having a hard time after Trump’s only two genders executive order.
Is there anything I can do to make sure that he feels supported at work?
I have regular check-in meetings with my staff so I was hoping to see how he was doing, but don’t want to force him into an uncomfortable discussion.
Note: His performance is still excellent at his job so this isn’t a “coaching conversation” or anything like that
I tackle this two ways.
I ensure that I have a progress pride bracelet, pin, or other clearly visible symbol of allieship on me at all times. I also have prominently displayed safe space signage around my office. There should be zero ambiguity of my support - my hope is that this both makes 2SLGBTQIA+ and any other marginalized individuals feel welcome around me, and I also find it reduces inappropriate jokes or comments from the broader organization. People KNOW that I will make a stink if they are assholes. I try to ensure a safe bubble around me.
The other thing I do is try to make it clear to my team that I care about them as people - they aren’t cogs in a machine.
Ultimately, it’s up to my team members to decide if talking with me will help or hurt. I just try to make sure that my door is wide open.
I haven’t heard of 2S before, but what you say is right. Keep being supportive, protect their privacy, and ensure that people who are marginalising them, get the right consequences.
Two-spirit. Used by Indigenous North Americans to describe Native people who fulfill a traditional third-gender social role in their communities.
Aah, thank you! Interesting, didn’t know that that was a thing.
AFAIK it’s primarily (exclusively?) a Canadian thing
It’s used in the US too. I’ve heard it in both Montana and Arizona, at least
I’d probably just say something non-pressuring but supportive like “I know with everything that is going on recently that things may be challenging for you right now. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and I’ll support you in any way I can.”
big fat raise
LOL. For what it’s worth I recommended to HR that they get moved to the next pay step.
Also, resist any government mandates that want to know where/ how many
jewstrans people are in your department. It’s not your job to help anyone make other people’s lives miserable.I didn’t hear about any mandates yet but if it does I’ll make sure all management is on the same page.
Simply treating that person like a human being would be a good start.
Also, maybe treat him like everyone else, as giving him special treatment would beat the point of equality.
No need for all that fancy stickers.
If you’re not sure, just ask. I’m sure he’d appreciate it more if you ask him directly instead of asking a bunch of internet strangers. Let it be an awkward talk if needs be.
I appreciate that, and I do try my best to treat everyone fairly. As for asking random people on the internet, I just wanted more outside perspectives than just the people around me.
Fair enough
Be kind and approachable. If they want to bring it up to you, they will. Pushing on it from your end might end badly and be very uncomfortable.
Even if it’s not your bag having a flag up or sticker in your personal area could go a long way.
As others said treating as a person #1 always. Sticker is lower key than addressing it in that 1 on 1 deal. They cohld construe it wrong possibly.
You being cognizant of it is already ahead of the game.
I don’t think saying anything is necessary but if you don’t have the conviction to back up your words with action then you’re better off keeping your mouth shut. I would think a betrayal to be worse than to get the impression the support was never there in the first place.
Weirdly accusatory thing to say as an answer to a post explicitly asking which actions they should take to back up their words.
it’s best to ask trans people: hexbear has the largest trans communities and i would ask there.
But, then again, it’s hexbear…
opinions like this are the reason why it has coalesced into most active trans safe spaces on lemmy, it’s the furthest place away from shit takes like these due to defederation; the majority once again pushes vulnerable people into the margins of society where they then flourish.
