Ask ReproJobs: How do I deal with being the only trans, POC, person with a disability at my job?
Dear ReproJobs,
How do I advocate for myself as a genderqueer and disabled person and ask my organization to recognize and put into practice ways to support, advocate and handle situations with queer/trans/disabled staff and patients, without using up all of my emotional energy as one of the only person (that I know of) with these intersections of identities where I work. I have a chronic, invisible illness and I am Burnt. Out.
— Emotionally Exhausted
Dear Emotionally Exhausted,
First off, chances are you're not alone, but it does feel lonely when you are the only person out in your workplace who identifies as you do. And let's be real, nobody wants to feel like a self-narrating zoo exhibit when trying to make your workplace more inclusive. The reality is, for this to work, it requires a level of intentionality.
Try reaching out to local organizations like the Centers for Independent Living to come in and talk about how to work with people with disabilities. One of their core services is information and referral, and honestly, that sort of cross-pollination of community can be key to building up some resilience and backup. If there are college campuses nearby, engage their LGBT student groups in a similar way. Getting your community to buy into your organization can help in the journey to actually make it a safer place for everyone. The increased attention from potential outside partners can also help serve as an incentive to make folks get right about practices and policies.
Another idea is finding affinity groups in your field to join as a way to build community. There are a lot of Facebook groups for different professions and identities where like-minded people come together to ask for guidance, information, support, etc. Try searching for “queer/trans/disabled” and your field, and you’d be surprised at what comes up. Not feeling so isolated in your work is key when you're "the only" or "one in a handful" with these intersections. Building a supportive, safe network is essential when working in environments where (free) labor is expected from you as the employee and clients in educating staff about your experiences.