Foreign Service Bidding and Transgender DADT

Comment by Jenn on September 22, 2012 at 5:25pm

Robyn, it's good to hear from you.

I can think of places not to go.  I hope you've picked interesting and relatively safe postings.  

As a supervisor evaluates a potential employee who is transgender they can look at her one of two ways, either being transgender is a negative or it is a positive.  I prefer to consider the positive.  In this case the supervisor is interviewing a woman who has demonstrated the fortitude to deal with life.  That she presents well and has this inner strength is a measure of what one can expect of her in the future.  

Hugs girlfriend, Jennifer

Comment by Caroline Grace on September 22, 2012 at 8:22pm

Shannon and I were talking about you last evening at MAGIC since the place was filled with federal employees with questions that you could answer and already have in your writing, so we referred people to your blog. Also, as so happens in life, Martha was there visiting. We also had 3 therapists from the area wanting to see what the support group was like.

Hopefully you get back this way....  Hugs, Caroline

Comment by Robyn Ann Jane Alice McCutcheon on September 24, 2012 at 10:45am

Hi Caroline,

I figured that's why my ears were ringing :).  One piece of good news that Shannon may have mentioned is that I am no longer alone as the only out and transitioned Foreign Service Officer.  Who knows, our new transgender FSO may even show up at a MAGIC meeting.  As to myself, I look forward to being at a few meetings when I come back to the US for my one year assignment in Washington next summer.

Congratulations to you on all the wonderful news of impending events in your own life!

Hugs,
Robyn

Comment by Robyn Ann Jane Alice McCutcheon on September 24, 2012 at 10:51am

Hi Jennifer,

Indeed, I agree with you re supervisors.  One of my most important 360 references has been working with me closely on tailoring his reference according to the position I'm applying for, the personalities involved, and the question of whether they are already "in the know."  That's the wonderful degree of support I've been getting.

I'm bidding mainly on countries of the Former Soviet Union in that the language I am best at is Russian.  I get extra pay when I serve in these countries, and that's an easier way to earn extra money than going, let's say, to Kabul.  My greatest hope for Chisinau, Moldova, just up the road from Bucharest.  That would keep me in the region, close to so many good friends.  In truth, I don't even want to think yet about the goodbyes I will need to start saying here next spring.

Hugs and best,
Robyn

Comment by Caroline Grace on September 24, 2012 at 3:18pm

Hi, Robyn

Well, I do know other FSOs but I am unsure if they are out or not to the entire world, so it's not mine to share. the ones I know are out to family, spouses, and selected co-workers, security officers, and their bosses but have not decided to transition on the job yet - at least as far as I knew before they headed out of town -   and so they may not be known to the entire organization yet.  Shannon and I have one friend in common and she is super nice!

It took great courage for you to be the first and I applaud you.  You have always rocked and continue to do so.

Hugs, Caroline

Comment by Robyn Ann Jane Alice McCutcheon on September 25, 2012 at 9:28am

Hi, Caroline --

I also know other FSOs who are not yet out or who are out only in certain settings.  As to the one specific FSO you are alluding to, want to guess who was one of my main supporters behind the scenes from the beginning?  As I think you know, she is not nearly as far away from me geographically today as she was for most of the past year :).

In addition to FSOs, Samia Bhattia -- who is also here on PE -- was the true pioneer.  As a local staff member of one of our missions in a very conservative country, she beats us all in courage and has been one of my main sources of information on anything and everything surgical.

Will be thinking of you come November!

Hugs,
Robyn

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