coworker is trans, not sure what it means in this context?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If born male AND identifies as male I would use he pronouns unless told otherwise.

If that’s the case, why make an announcement to colleagues?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If born male AND identifies as male I would use he pronouns unless told otherwise.

If that’s the case, why make an announcement to colleagues?

I have no idea 🤷‍♀️

[Anonymous]

Call them by whatever they want you to. Don’t gossip.

[Anonymous]

How confusing! What are you supposed to do with this announcement?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How confusing! What are you supposed to do with this announcement?!

It’s not that complicated. Just ask which pronouns your coworker prefers.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they are transitioning, and haven't presented to work as female yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they are transitioning, and haven't presented to work as female yet.

+1

Most likely this is the situation. People don't just take a magic pill and change genders. It can take a long time to stop looking like your original gender and most trans women (not all) want to wait until there have been sufficient changes. Most will want to look, at the very least, visibly trans rather than like a cis crossdresser. This could take six months to a year. Some people may wait until they're basically cis passing which could be closer to two years for most people. Lots of people end up passing very well. Some do not. Others get surgery to remove certain obvious masculine facial traits.

[Anonymous]

Best way to deal with it:

“Ok, when can you get me those TPS reports?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a gender neutral friend who calls themselves "trans". Maybe your co-worker is gender neutral?

Either way, just use preferred pronouns and be respectful.

This is OP - and that's what I'm wondering. I hadn't heard the word "trans" used to describe being gender-neutral. It sounds like that's one usage.

And yes, definitely using preferred pronouns, and being respectful. That's the "action" bit here. I just wanted some insight into what trans means in this context. I think you might have it.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts!

My high schooler tells me trans = not identifying with your birth gender, which could include agender, nonbinary, genderfluid, etc. This differs from my old-person version of trans, which is rooted in the gender binary.

I have a friend who identifies as nonbinary and presents as female (uses she/they) who confused me so much with this until she said "I think everyone is a little bit trans and people who reject that are missing out on the freedom to play with gender." Oh, ok. That's fine.

m

What does “she/they” mean?

According to my friend who signs emails with "she/they," it means the person prefers they, but isn't put off by she.