northwest
Building a History
Transgender conference takes on the work force
by West Duncan
T
ransitioning to a new job is difficult
enough without any other complications
involved. With the pressure of a new
livelihood on the line, this gets even
harder when also making another life
transition—that of gender identity.
To help with this compounded problem, the
Portland Human Rights Campaign’s Emerging
Communities committee is holding the first-ever
Trans Employment Conference on March 10 at
Q Center. With panel discussions and workshops,
the forum will create dialogue about issues facing
the transgender community—and what to tell
employers when they say, “Huh?”
One of transgender people’s biggest enemies in
their present lives and new jobs can be their past.
Coming back to haunt them in the form of differ
ent pronouns on a resume or some confusion when
talking to a reference, history can sometimes be
best left alone.
“If you want to keep your transition quiet, it’s
really hard to do (in the workplace],” said Brenda
Smith, co-chairwoman for HRC’s Emerging
Communities committee. “We sat down last July
and decided that we needed to address a trans town
hall. Instead, it steered in this direction because
this just seemed more pressing.”
Linda Brown, 55, knows all about moving
through jobs while keeping her transition quiet.
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Identifying as a heterosexual cross-dresser, she I accommodate. It is through
remained in the closet for 45 years. She now has
conferences like the Trans
the support it takes to walk among the work force
Employment Conference
with confidence.
that the discussions of how
Not only is Brown the owner of a business and
to manage even the simple
happily married, she also acts as the public relations
question
of bathroom
director for Northwest Gender Alliance and a per etiquette can occur.
sonal advocate for making the workplace a comfort
The group also hopes to
able environment for gender-variant people. A social
dispel myths that identify
support network for transsexual and transgender
ing as transgender or trans
people, the alliance provides many resources for an
sexual equates to “gender
underrepresented community.
dysphoria." With this being
“I’m kind of a success story,” she said. “When
a commonly held belief
I was coming out, I met people who transitioned
among many in positions of
Linda Brown (right) and Sheryl Weiller helped organize a conference
and lost everything. You basically become reborn
power, the glass ceiling gets
to make the work force more comfortable for transgender people.
and therefore have no history.”
a little thicker for those
Building group discussions around common fears
trying to break through it.
Through the efforts of people lil^e Smith and
and concerns, Brown and the HRC committee are
“Sometimes people say you’re crazy if you want
Brown, Portland continues to earn its reputation
helping make it easier to face a new challenge head
to transition. You’re not crazy—you’re a totally for being a friendly place for those exploring the
on. Covering tips for résumé writing, dress codes and
viable, skilled human being,” said Brown.
city and themselves.
helpful people to know, the group will frankly
This conference is hopefully one of many to
Q Center hosts the T rans EMPLOYMENT
address what is typically a closed-door topic.
come for Portland communities that embraces the
CONFERENCE from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 10
“1 think that there needs to be more communica
struggle of progress. One discussion at a time,
tion between the trans community and businesses.
Brown knows that a shift of consciousness among at 69 S.E. Taylor St. The event includes panel
discussions and lunch. Call 503-381 -9478 to register
We really need to create more understanding through
employers will come with a shift in legislation.
education,” said Smith.
“Sometimes it’s hard to get people to advocate for or for more information.
As with many alternative lifestyles, the experi their own self-interests,” she said. “What people don’t
Portland freelance writer WEST DUNCAN can be
ence of the trans community still has yet to become
realize is that Oregon legislation is so important
reached at WestofAMinorQyahoo.com.
something all business owners and leaders can
because it directly includes transgender equality.”
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