I need some advice and help. I'm a 30 year old single male starting my transition to MTF transsexual. I was accepted to a BSN program and start my clinicals in Fall '09. And might have a problem when it comes time for me to start living full time as a female. The problem with my school is that it is a private Christian school. I chose this particular school because it has one of the best nursing programs in the city. And I am transitioning while still in school because i've been informed that universities and colleges will not change names on students records AFTER you have finished a program regardless of a legal name change. It must be changed while you are in college or before graduation.
I'm not sure of how the school will deal with me transitioning. I've been told by nurses I work with who are former students of the same college that I won't be put out explicitly or overtly for being transgender, but they will do their best to ride me out of the program.
What should I do? I can't put off my transition because there are set times and accomplishments you are supposed to keep in order to transition properly. My job is not a problem, they will allow me to transition on the job.
I don't have any advice on what to do, just wanted to offer my support!
I do think you made the right choice in switching schools. A Christian school may be legally prohibited from doing anything to you, but I'm willing to bet they would still make things uncomfortable for you. You don't need problems like that souring what should be an exciting and happy time in your life.
I would imagine that violating a person's civil rights, be it public or private institution, still applies... but I'm no lawyer! Again, I believe OP was seeking an attorney's advice.... ACLU would also probably be able to shed some light into this topic - there are many private schools out there.... that are big-time schools and you never hear of any ruckus.... so maybe they shake them out or they do a good job or covering up issues.
There was a MTF transgender in Largo, FL that got fired from a public service job when it become time for him to live full time as a female. He sued the city and lost.
Good luck to you! I'm glad to hear that you're changing schools. I hate to be negative and generalize, but Christian schools can be difficult for LGBT persons. A guy recently gave a talk at my UU about this subject and it was disturbing the things he went through.
Again, not to generalize because I got my RN to BSN at a Christian school (online) and it was a good experience.
This I know to be a fact; not only am I Transgender, but i'm also African American as well. I've already started the process to transfer to another nursing program. I'm stressed out with crazy stuff going on at home and it's affecting my ability to function on an academic level. I've got to bring my grades up again in order to be able to transfer to another program.
I'm trying to alleviate all stress and tension from my life right now so that I can enjoy these next few years. The University of Memphis, Loewenburg School of Nursing is where i'm transfering to. They shouldn't have a problem with me being MTF, because there are many transgender students there already.
This I know to be a fact; not only am I Transgender, but i'm also African American as well. I've already started the process to transfer to another nursing program. I'm stressed out with crazy stuff going on at home and it's affecting my ability to function on an academic level. I've got to bring my grades up again in order to be able to transfer to another program.
I'm trying to alleviate all stress and tension from my life right now so that I can enjoy these next few years. The University of Memphis, Loewenburg School of Nursing is where i'm transfering to. They shouldn't have a problem with me being MTF, because there are many transgender students there already.
wow, i just found this thread today.
sorry i didn't find it earlier.
transgender, i swear we went to school together in the 90's...
i attended a baptist son, and there was a black transgender in our class, with a very neutral name.
she was brilliant, reserved, polite, and was very warm, sincere w/her pts.
when she was in clinical, that is when you'd see her shine.
but when she was with us in the classroom, she sat in back and kept to herself.
my point being, no one bothered her...
she graduated top of our class and talked about moving south to pursue her grad degree.
i guess i'm saying that if you had attended this Christian school w/o changing your name, i'm thinking there wouldn't have been any problems?
maybe i'm being naive, since i only have this 1 experience to go on.
First I would like to agree with everyone who already suggested that you change your name before you enter in to school. Second from my experience in the military, I've learned that the higher ranking individuals in any organization don't like people that are different and are open and loud about it. My advice is similar to the above post. Keep as low key as possible. I'm not sure if you already dress and live as a female but while you are still going through all the other processes there is no reason why you should have to tell anybody your true sex. How would they even find out? Do they check your birth records once you are admitted into the program? If they ask your sex say female. Good luck to you and get those grades up!!
Unless you are already accepted into the actual Nursing program at Memphis, and have IN WRITING you will have a spot in their program, don't leave Baptist. Especially if your grades are down. The Competition for spots is very high and getting worse every semester, and because of the type of program Baptist is, it was easier to enter. If you have to finish pre-req's then apply to LSN program. Don't take the chance. You are already in a nursing program, and have a clinical spot.
I wish you the best of luck in getting through school as well as all of your changes - and I sincerely hope that you don't need it. Tweety - I was about to bring up the Largo official as well, but you beat me to it. I'm straight, but I absolutely can not imagine ever discriminating against anybody because of gender identity or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, many religious organizations retain that right, as does the US military, and apparently the city of Largo. I'm also an ACLU member, and while I certainly advise you to seek out the help of your local office, realize that challenging discrimination can be time consuming. If you can get it all squared away to go to U of M, you'll get your degree much sooner than if you try to take on the entire Christianist Right and all of their lawyers. It's a battle that needs to be fought, but perhaps by someone who can afford to wait a few years before earning a nursing degree. I hope you can start as soon as possible, and graduate to become the kind of nurse who has compassion for ALL of her patients. I wish you the best.
bekindtokittens
353 Posts
I don't have any advice on what to do, just wanted to offer my support!
I do think you made the right choice in switching schools. A Christian school may be legally prohibited from doing anything to you, but I'm willing to bet they would still make things uncomfortable for you. You don't need problems like that souring what should be an exciting and happy time in your life.