Being trans in academia

Sometimes it feels like it happened in a different life. Just over two years ago I sent a series of emails to friends and colleagues in which I explained who I am, and that I would change my gender. I joked that this would be my personal contribution to improving the gender balance in the chemical sciences, but in truth I was deeply scared. With this step, I put my career in jeopardy – at least it felt that way. But I had to do it. I hadn’t chosen to be trans, and after years of denial and then hiding I had reached a point of no return. I am immensely grateful for the positive feedback I got upon my coming out – the vast majority of it was welcoming and negative comments have been scarce.

As positive as this experience was, it also taught me that I had to become an advocate. Knowledge of trans issues is typically low, and the social hurdles to discussing these topics are high. Conversations are often difficult due to a lack of appropriate language or wrong and incomplete information. Trans people face well-meant but nonetheless hurtful comments, and false assumptions are routinely made. These things are a constant source of distress, particularly as we are a demographic group that faces very high rates of depression and suicide, institutionalised violence and jurisdictional discrimination in many countries, and a general lack of healthcare access. Support is essential, especially in the time around coming out and transitioning, and having a stable and professional environment can make a significant difference in the wellbeing of a trans person.