Journal Entry: 03/20/2012 - High Level Support

Well today it was time to elevate Laura's story to the next level at work.  That was the Commander (Colonel) in charge of the military hospital I work at.  She is my boss', boss', boss.  Her boss is the General in charge of the base.  Well my boss, a female Major, named Catherine ironically, agreed to come with me for moral support.  I had made an appointment and we went into her office and sat down and thanked her for giving me the time.  As with others, her first question was to ask me if I was ok.  I assured her I was and thought I'd be even better within the next few minutes.  From there I launched into the story of Laura.  Using the same story I have become comfortable with as I describe my journey to others.  I tell how I have been dealing with an issue for my whole life, dating back to 5-6 yrs old but didn't really understand it until last year.  I told her how about 10 yrs ago I briefly embraced myself but then discounted my own insight.  Then I told her I was tansgendendered, specifically transsexual.  I told her that I was almost 1/2 through laser facial hair removal and had been on hormones since December.  She listened attentively, interjected when appropriate and in the end we were talking about what color nail polish was acceptable for active duty member in uniform.  As the Major and I were leaving she gave me a hug and offered her full and complete support, applauded my courage and assured me that there would be no trouble at work.  She also told me that she needed to talk with the General and would try and do so today.  I showed her this profile picture and got the same, positive response that most give to it.

Later on she stopped by my office and gathered, with my boss, in a room in our clinic and she told me about her conversation with the General and his second in Command, a Colonel.  In my job I see the both of them on a regular basis.  The short of it was that they both extended their full support and the General went so far as to say that if he caught wind of someone giving me a hard time they would find themselves talking directly to him.  Wow, it most definitely appears that my job is safe.

Later I called a good friend who works in the AF Surgeon General's Office, the section in charge of the Domestic Violence program that I run at my base.  I told her the same story and she also commended my courage and extended her support.  Like most people who know me she also asked about my wife, as the Colonel had done and I told her how great Lynda has been.  Tomorrow I will call her boss and her boss' boss in that office, an AD Major and an AD Lt Colonel, also good friends I've known for years, and both females.  I have no doubt I will receive their full support.  Thursday will be the staff in my office and from there others will follow quickly. 

So, the scary, hard work is done and my job does feel safe. I will be comfortable to present full time, and at work, once my name change takes place.  Probably in the next few weeks to a couple of months.  I do have hopes to make it by my birthday in June as my driver's license is due to expire then and I really want Laura's name and picture on it.

Yes, today was a day of very high level support.  It was a very good day indeed.  :-)

I am sincerely,

'

Laura Catherine