Advice

[Julie]

Hi All

I work for Coast & Country Housing up in Redcar. One of the things that we are doing is writing an Inclusion, Equality and Diversity guide for our staff. Really it is about different groups of people and is all about do's and don'ts.

If you were writing the guide, what do and don'ts would you would have us tell our staff around coming into contact with transgender people. Are there any other than to treat people respectfully etc? Mind I am a bit tired and brain fuzzed as been writing all day.

Your help would be really appreciated. Big thanks xx

[Cassie]

I think the best advice is to treat transgender people as you would any other member of the sex as which they present themselves. If they are clearly dressed as female and identify as female (female name etc) then they are "she" and "her" and can use the ladies.

Just be polite, treat them with respect and allow them their dignity.

thanks

[JENNYJET]

I think the best advice is to treat transgender people as you would any other member of the sex as which they present themselves. If they are clearly dressed as female and identify as female (female name etc) then they are "she" and "her" and can use the ladies.

Just be polite, treat them with respect and allow them their dignity.

thanks

I would agree with Cassie in the main but with a minor adjustment and an addition if I may.....If the company has a diversity policy in place then make sure that it includes the welfare of gender variant members of staff. By that I mean making other members aware, with the consent of the subject, of certain special needs regards comfort breaks and other matters that may arise but with discretion. It is usually ignorance that causes the problems but once dealt with, there is usually no further issue.

Pronouns will be a problem to most if they are clearly aware that the subject has a gender variance, I experience this myself at the theatre I work for on a voluntary basis. They can't help it because they see what is often opposite to how I present although it is getting easier as those with difficulty come to understand. It takes time for them but it is not malicious.

Politeness, respect and dignity is now automatic for the LBG? community and now that the addition 'T' has been added, it should become easier for employers to amend their policies.

I wish you well with your efforts in this area Julie and thank you

[Julie]

Thanks everyone. That is really, really appreciated. All of your comments will be added in

Thanks so much xx

[Ice Maiden]

yeah treat people as they present themselves or simply ask them

read this paper it covers most things

http://www.transgenderzone.com/research/res&comcare.htm