Reply To: Going to work in head-to-toe women’s clothing

[Stephanie Dubois]

Way to go girl!! Coming out at work isn’t easy. I just started doing the same a few months ago. It started with just wearing heels at my desk. I would interact with some colleagues…but always hiding my shoes under my desk so no one noticed. Then I went braver and decided to start walking around the office (lunch room, washroom, photocopier machine) in my heels. I did get a few stares, but no one said anything and a few people actually had conversations with me as if nothing was different. Last week, I went a bit further and started wearing skirts with my heels. People definately noticed! I would go from blank stares and no interaction (which I take as someone being surprised and uncomfortable…not necessarily objecting to my wardrobe) to sometimes having interaction with people. Again…no one mentioned anything. Cue today…I decided to go all out today. Fully dressed, prosthetics, wig make-up…the whole deal! I knew there weren’t many people in the building and that I would probably spend my day at my desk…but at least enjoying being fully out in public for the first time (well…I did go out in public before…but in the middle of the night in a parking lot where there was no one…so not really with anyone around). Low and behold…the one colleague that was in the building…our admin assistant who knows me very well drops by my office!! Before she had any chance to say something…I explained…”listen…you are seeing me ”fully dress” for the first time! I thought I would try to go further today but wasn’t expecting anyone to be around”. Well…as it turns out, she stayed in my office and we chatted for a good 30 mins about my transition! She was open and accepting. She asked all kinds of questions about my transition…if I was considering doing this permanently…about my family not knowing about it! We even started having a conversation about make-up and wardrobe and she gave me some really good hints of where to buy really good concealer! It was FANTASTIC!!! I never felt so free. We are often tied up in our own fears…but once you discover that you’re the one holding those binds and can release them…you feel free and…happy! This experience today has even given me more confidence of finally having that discussion with my spouse. Life is too short to hold yourself back from happiness! Hope you will continue to experience great things like your outing at work. Congrats! You are brave, proud and strong! Wishing you all the best!