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Deciding to Be Authentic: Transgender Employees and Their Decision to Be Out at Work

In: Exploring Gender at Work

Author

Listed:
  • Lizabeth Kay Kleintop

    (Moravian College)

Abstract

Being out at work is a significant decision in the life of anyone who is transgender. Most transgender people are aware of the transphobia they could experience at work when they come out—exclusion from jobs, unfair work schedules, ridicule, homophobic jokes, bullying, shunning, sexual and physical harassment, job loss, and more. Transgender employees challenge norms of gender that are reinforced in interactions with others in a social process of gender authentication that may result in transphobia. Yet, many transgender people choose to be out at work. Their choice was made when they perceived a psychologically safe environment in which they could be their authentic selves. Transgender employees assess structural and interpersonal stigma barriers as part of their assessment of their decision to come out. Change agents in organizations can support transgender workers in making their decisions by understanding the role of gender in their organizations and use that understanding to create interventions, including educating co-workers, with the goal of reducing transphobia and increasing perceptions of an inclusive environment. Such steps will lead to transgender employees perceiving a psychologically safe environment in which they can safely come out. Coming out will allow them to be their authentic selves and will validate the inclusiveness of their employer’s diverse and inclusive workplace.

Suggested Citation

  • Lizabeth Kay Kleintop, 2021. "Deciding to Be Authentic: Transgender Employees and Their Decision to Be Out at Work," Springer Books, in: Joan Marques (ed.), Exploring Gender at Work, chapter 0, pages 139-158, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-030-64319-5_8
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-64319-5_8
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