March 31^st is International Trans Day of Visibility and we spoke to Jay E, Member Services Associate, Enterprise Car Club, about their experience of being transgender, more specifically nonbinary.

Jay was born and raised in California. Via an online LGBTQ+ community group, they met their friend, who is also transgender. This relationship played a major role in Jay’s decision to relocate to the UK, and the two friends are now roommates.

After studying Game Design Engineering at University, Jay was initially attracted to Enterprise for the remote working opportunities. Jay’s career with Enterprise started within the contact centre and they have since been promoted to the Car Club Membership team. Jay talks about their experience of being nonbinary.

“I’ll start with the bad so that we can end with the good. Sadly, being trans can include losing some people or aspects of the life you had before. I personally lost relationships with people who were important to my life at the time, mainly partners and some friends. There were also just as many who struggled or simply refused to respect my change of name and pronouns, something that any trans person can tell you is very disheartening and distressing. While I have lost people, I have gained so many more through the community. I have a blog post for transgender and nonbinary people which has over 200 members and of course, I met my friend online.

When I was early in my transition (both socially and medically), there was some fear of being harassed for simply being whom I know I am. And sadly, there still is on some days. There is a still constant struggle to just be seen and respected at the most basic human level.

Now that’s enough of the bad stuff, as there is so much good, too. The joy and liberty that comes with finally realising and accepting who you truly are is incomparable. This can be called gender euphoria. I’ve never felt more at home in my own body, which I had once resented, and even some of the aspects that were at one point uncomfortable are now some which I cherish the most.

Enterprise has been exceptionally kind and accommodating with my gender identity. I was surprised by how supportive and accepting my coworkers and manager are. For example, when I first joined the company, I had yet to acquire my legal name-change documents in the UK. Regardless, at my first request, the supervisors in my training group immediately got on with changing my display name in all systems that did not require my old legal name to be used. This allowed me to feel safe and accepted, knowing that I would not be required to either share my deadname or consequently correct people about my actual (now legal) name. Thankfully, my team leaders and colleagues have been nothing but kind and respectful, so I hope I can stay here with them, and Enterprise, for a long time. If I could describe Enterprise in three words, it would be welcoming, accepting and encouraging.

I look forward to the day when my community and others like us can be our truest selves without fear or discrimination because, at the end of the day, we’re all human; transgender rights are human rights.”

On 31^st March, Trans Day of Visibility, we celebrate the lived experience of the trans and non-binary community as well as shine a light on the obstacles they still face. Want to start your career with a Gold, 2023 Stonewall Top LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer? Search for our latest graduate jobs and internships in your area and see where your career could take you.