Supporting Transgender and Gender Non Conforming Employees and Customers

In this session we will discuss how to support customers and employees who fall under the transgender umbrella. We will cover gender neutral language, how to navigate potentially awkward situations and how to create more inclusive systems.

Speaker: Mason Aid

I WAS 17 THE FIRST TIME I WALKED THROUGH TWO LOCKED DOORS ONTO A PSYCHIATRIC UNIT.

Self hatred had consumed me and I turned to self harm. The next seven years I was in and out of the hospital and it wasn’t until I came out that I began to figure out how to love myself for who I am.

Along this journey, my life was saved by so many individuals who stepped up, called me out, and supported me regardless of faith or politics. I will never forget the face of my gifted teacher when she pulled me out of Chemistry to talk to me, letting me know I was SEEN and that her and the other teachers cared. I will never forget the professor to whom I first said the words “I’m gay” to and how the support she offered me as my world shifted saved me. I have learned so much on my journey with bipolar disorder and learning to love myself as a queer person.

Everything is baby steps. All progress starts with a thought, a question, the desire to learn and grow. We all have this capacity to meet people where they are and love them, regardless of what our personal beliefs are.

I have a dream of having ONE safe person in every school, mental health office, and place of worship for youth to come to when they are struggling with mental health and/or going through the process of coming out. I’d love for you to help me make this dream reality.

Hope to see you there!