tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post8741000302910687175..comments2023-09-15T03:34:55.825-05:00Comments on Genderqueer Chicago: Trans (Un)Employment—a primer (part 1)Genderqueer Chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07956927774176088863noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-79377805566686444342010-07-15T21:34:50.673-05:002010-07-15T21:34:50.673-05:00André,
Let's see if we can collaborate on thi...André,<br /><br />Let's see if we can collaborate on this to get the info workable. I am a trans-activist as well as a statistical analyst and programmer. I have had severe contract failure over my transition. My video and story can be viewed at: www.standingonthesideoflove.org with the title Allison & ENDA . Best wishes and hope to speak with you soon.Allison D. Woolberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14886597175852648098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-18366345487744414172010-07-13T22:02:04.790-05:002010-07-13T22:02:04.790-05:00I grew up in the midwest US, transitioned right ou...I grew up in the midwest US, transitioned right out of highschool. I graduated university magna cum laude with two bachelor's degrees. My past was unavoidable however, as I was born in a state that won't let you change your birth certificate. Social Security also will not change your gender marker unless you first change it on your birth certificate, so you can see where this goes. I was repeatedly compelled to out myself to potential employers and as a result I was all but unemployable for the next 8 years after graduating college, until I moved to Seattle, where I got my first ever DAY-job at the age of 30. Without disclosing my status, this time. <br /><br />I still live in fear of getting a no-match letter and being forced to identify as male to my HR depts or else be fired. This means I haven't stayed more than a couple of years in the same job, for fear that that no match letter is going to catch up with me if I linger. <br /><br />I haven't been unemployed since I moved from Texas, but I've been UNDERemployed for the last year. I'm i n the middle of negotiating towards full time at my current job, but they can't guarantee they'll be able to accomodate me. I am not out at my job, and even tho I don't think I'd be fired from this particular job if I were outed, I am not willing to take the chance. If I lose this gig there is no guarantee I'll be able to replace the income in a timely legal fashion.<br /><br />I'm going to be 36 this year, and after 19 years of struggling to support myself and never getting ahead because of my trans baggage, I'm just about spent.Jane L.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-37235526386016851062010-07-13T16:42:02.011-05:002010-07-13T16:42:02.011-05:00Sounds like a great project. I don't feel com...Sounds like a great project. I don't feel comfortable participating myself, but I will pass on a link at Questioning Transphobia :)queen emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06039121133703594308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-65436373254163196992010-07-12T16:22:58.393-05:002010-07-12T16:22:58.393-05:00@ Anonymous: I've actually recently read that ...@ Anonymous: I've actually recently read that the trans community is 3 times as likely to have a undergrad degree than the average population and almost five times as likely to be unemployed. Whether or not this sampling includes people who live on the street, participate in sex work, id as genderqueer but pass as cisgender person, etc. is questionable but it does indicate that education is not the problem here.<br /><br />@ Julie Kristine: underemployment is very high. Add to the equation the fact that trans peopel often find employment in non-profit or free lance sectors where part-time work abounds. I have heard of a recent study that set out to prove job discrimination with some pretty compelling results: http://www.citylimits.org/multimedia/258/transgender-need-not-apply-a-report-on-gender-identity-job-discrAndre Perezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01712835444325891804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-15942520657189362462010-05-30T05:08:38.054-05:002010-05-30T05:08:38.054-05:00I'm one of those whose had chronic unemploymen...I'm one of those whose had chronic unemployment -- both due to my trans identity and severe depression.<br /><br />I've only had one true full-time job in my life, and I'm 50 years old, now. Most of them have been part-time jobs in the service and retail sector.<br /><br />I've been without a job for nearly five years, and if it wasn't for family and a roommate, I'd never be able to afford an apartment (which I have Section 8) and pay the bills. I'm also on $200/mo food assistance. I've been on Medicaid, but was knocked off, and trying like hell to get back on.<br /><br />There has been very few if any hard scientific research and general interest articles into transfolk in the blue collar/service/retail industry. Most of the attention is on folk who can either pass well, like Calpurnia Adams, or professionals like Susan Stanton, Jenny Boylan, etc. who stayed in the closet for decades before coming out.<br /><br />I'll be interesting to see the rest of this article as it plays out!Marlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796191877135640907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-90916864117312436222010-05-28T10:32:41.394-05:002010-05-28T10:32:41.394-05:00I'm really glad that you wrote this piece and ...I'm really glad that you wrote this piece and are investigating employment patterns of transpeople. <br /><br />I would also suggest you investigate "underemployment". This is a situation where people get employed in situations below their level of education, experience or expertise. <br /><br />It has been reported that trans unemployment is somewhere between 2-3 times the norm. I would guess that underemployment is more on the order of 4-5 times the average. <br /><br />What will be difficult to track is hiring bias on the front end. Employers will mouth the right words, especially in a state like Illinois where we are allegedly accorded protections, but then too often we find the job offers lacking. I suppose you could track months out of work as evidence of this. <br /><br />I think it would also be interesting to break your study down into FTM vs. MTF vs. andro or gender queer, as well. <br /><br />I think that we are often judged by our looks, and our ability to pass. Beyond that, however, we have a work experience and reference trail that follows us. Most often, this trail is made up of people and experiences that were accumulated in the wrong gender. <br /><br />Good luck on your project!Julie Kristinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6958945178575143333.post-67817259643935311732010-05-28T10:21:57.499-05:002010-05-28T10:21:57.499-05:00It would be nice to see a break down of transgende...It would be nice to see a break down of transgendered unemployment statistics by education. For example, are the rates being pushed higher by those without a high school diploma? What are the rates for those who have a college degree?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com