The political situation for trans people in the southern US has been devolving rapidly and I’m looking to move to a protected state. I’m going to start applying to jobs soon, and I’ve been considering whether I should apply as my dead self or not.
I haven’t changed my legal name yet, so my job applications immediately out me as trans and even if it didn’t I don’t pass at all currently, so if I got an interview I’d be outed then. I’ve been reading about how hard it is to get a job as a trans woman and I’ll need all the help I can get to get out of this shithole state.
It would kill me to have to go back into the closet for work, but the alternative is being potentially stuck in a place that will forcibly detransition me which is way worse.
Has anyone been in this situation or has any advice?
Frankly, that depends on what sort of jobs you’re applying for. My familiarity is with tech work and it tends to be accepting. While you’ll have to put your dead legal name on some forms, it’s generally not a problem to apply under your real name.
Definitely do start applying for jobs in blue states, you might get lucky enough to land one that offers relocation assistance to help with the move.
I work in tech as well. Thankfully my current workplace is accepting. I guess I’m paranoid about people’s biases even if they are outwardly accepting.
My lease doesn’t end until october which is cutting it really close to the elections, but the early termination fee is super exorbitant so I’m trying to balance having enough time to find a job, but not ending up having to renew the lease because I waited too long. Finding one that offers relocation assistance would be a dream come true
Start applying anyway. If they want you badly enough they’ll help pay to break your lease as part of the relocation benefits. =D