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Mar. 7th, 2013 12:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dolariA story from the book, just cause I like telling it:
The first few weeks at any job for a transgendered person can be kind of dicey. If you don't pass as a woman all that well, you know you're being talked about. You're being judged. You're being tested. It can be a little harrowing, and absent-minded-making. And the goofyniess makes you do stupid things.
Case in point.
It's my first day on the job and I need to use the restroom. Considering I was fired from my last two jobs for this, I'm really not looking forward to it. I managed to sneak into the stall and do my business when two other women walk into the otherwise empty bathroom. They're not there to do any real bathroom business, though. They're on break and talking. And talking some more.
I ended up sitting in the stall waiting for them to leave...and time is ticking away. My break is almost over...and I'm waiting...and waiting.
And I have to leave...and they're still talking....and I'm still waiting.
To be fair, it was probably only about twenty seconds. But twenty seconds in the women's restroom after two firings for just sitting down and peeing in a bowl can feel like an eternity. I couldn't wait any longer – I didn't want to be late from a break on my first day. So I pulled up my underwear, pulled up my pantyhose, draped out my skirt...and opened the door.
I briskly walked to the sink washed my hands. I didn't linger and quickly made my way to the door.
“Excuse me!”
And there it was. The next firing. I was going to go home and have no paycheck for another two years. In time, I'd be unhireable. Forced to live off the charity of others forever. A social pariah who's only worth--
“You're skirt's tucked into your pantyhose!”
I'd never felt so relieved at a wardrobe malfunction in my life.
The first few weeks at any job for a transgendered person can be kind of dicey. If you don't pass as a woman all that well, you know you're being talked about. You're being judged. You're being tested. It can be a little harrowing, and absent-minded-making. And the goofyniess makes you do stupid things.
Case in point.
It's my first day on the job and I need to use the restroom. Considering I was fired from my last two jobs for this, I'm really not looking forward to it. I managed to sneak into the stall and do my business when two other women walk into the otherwise empty bathroom. They're not there to do any real bathroom business, though. They're on break and talking. And talking some more.
I ended up sitting in the stall waiting for them to leave...and time is ticking away. My break is almost over...and I'm waiting...and waiting.
And I have to leave...and they're still talking....and I'm still waiting.
To be fair, it was probably only about twenty seconds. But twenty seconds in the women's restroom after two firings for just sitting down and peeing in a bowl can feel like an eternity. I couldn't wait any longer – I didn't want to be late from a break on my first day. So I pulled up my underwear, pulled up my pantyhose, draped out my skirt...and opened the door.
I briskly walked to the sink washed my hands. I didn't linger and quickly made my way to the door.
“Excuse me!”
And there it was. The next firing. I was going to go home and have no paycheck for another two years. In time, I'd be unhireable. Forced to live off the charity of others forever. A social pariah who's only worth--
“You're skirt's tucked into your pantyhose!”
I'd never felt so relieved at a wardrobe malfunction in my life.
