To acknowledge Transgender Day of Remembrance and celebrate Transdev Awareness week, we’re proud to share the Journey of Sydney Ferries Inner Harbour Engineer, Max (he/him), pictured on the left.
What does being trans mean to you, in your own words?
For me, being trans means being authentically me. I know that’s a phrase that is often heard around being transgender or non-binary, but for me that means that I now feel seen and validated in a way I never felt before transitioning. There’s a power in being seen, but even moreso in seeing yourself clearly.
What has your journey of self-discovery looked like?
It was a long road with a lot of introspection and discovery. I was socially transitioning with friends and family for a long time, for a myriad of reasons, before starting medical transition while working at Transdev Sydney Ferries. I was unsure and honestly a little apprehensive at how my transition at work would be received at first, as there were no other trans people at work that I knew. However my colleagues have been so supportive and genuinely respectful and I feel privileged to share this personal growth with them.
Are there key moments or experiences that helped you better understand your identity?
Becoming involved in the LGBTQ community at university was when I first met someone who was trans and that started my journey of self-discovery as I previously didn’t realise transitioning was even an option. Being surrounded by supportive people allowed me to explore my own identity and to grow into it in a safe space.
What has been the most empowering part of your journey?
The sense of alignment and wholeness transitioning has given me. The ability to embrace feminine and masculine traits in my personality which I never truly felt comfortable with before and finally believing I deserved to live as myself, not according to someone else’s expectation.
What are some aspects of the everyday reality of the trans community?
Trans people face higher rates of discrimination, violence and mental health challenges often due to lack of acceptance and common myths and misconceptions which can be amplified in today’s social media-driven society. Having a supportive and inclusive workplace and colleagues can help to alleviate some of the alienation trans people experience in the broader community.
What actions or behaviours from colleagues or leaders have made you feel supported?
People really making an effort to use the correct pronouns and the open conversations I had with a lot of my colleagues who had genuine questions about my transition and identity, most of whom had never met anyone who is transgender before. I also found being open allowed other people who had family or friends who were questioning gender identity or going through transition to feel comfortable enough to approach me for advice. It felt great to be able to support others who had supported me. That is what inclusion feels like to me.
What workplace adjustments or initiatives have made a positive difference for you?
Being part of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee and now the Pride Network has really made me feel more connected to help educate and empower others.
What are some simple everyday actions colleagues can take to be better allies?
Be proactive and research, it can be taxing for trans people to be an educator all the time. There is a lot of great information and trans content creators that you can use to find answers. Normalise language (see below).
What language or behaviours help you feel respected and seen?
Language is one of the most powerful tools for allyship, using the correct name and pronouns and avoiding assumptions about someone’s gender can reduce harm, improve mental health and affirm identity for that person. If you’re not sure of someone’s gender identity, it’s better to politely ask than to assume, or you could introduce yourself stating your own pronoun preferences to start the conversation. It’s also OK if you make a mistake. We get it and it takes time to adjust.
How can workplaces create more affirming environments for trans employees?
To inspire, humanise and build understanding.
What message would you like to share with other trans people who may still be navigating their own journey?
That there is no one way of being trans. There’s a lot of diversity within the trans community and all identities are valid.
What message would you share with leaders or workplaces during Trans Awareness Week?
Encourage small steps and simple actions to strengthen inclusion like correct name and pronoun use. Practice using inclusive language and speaking up when something isn’t right. Small everyday choices make a big difference.
We’d like to thank Max for kindly sharing his story with us.
At Transdev we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace where all Journey Makers are treated with dignity and can bring their whole selves to work.
If you’d like to learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 Nov) or Transgender Awareness Week (13 Nov – 19 Nov), click here.