Not All of Me Is Welcome Here: The Experiences of Trans and Gender Expansive Employees of Color in the U.S.

Abstract

Every person should feel accepted at work. Organizations can signal that all identities are welcomed and protected through affirming factors in their environment, known as identity-safety cues. However, there are also things organizations can do to signal that certain identities are not welcome. Thus, the current study aims to identify the factors that can impact identity safety perceptions among transgender and gender expansive employees of color, as the past literature on transgender and gender expansive identity-safety cues predominately includes White-majority samples. This study analyzes the intersection of marginalized racial/ethnic and gender identities, and how these combined identities impact the perceptions of identity safety. Researchers conducted 21 semi-structured interviews through Zoom, which were analyzed by hand and through Dedoose software using reflexive thematic analysis. Results found that minimal, partial, or incomplete identity support may signal some identity safety, but the ideal inclusion is support for all identities, and the intersection of those identities. Indeed, limited identity support, insufficient organizational systems, performativity, and discrimination can restrict perceptions of identity safety, while interpersonal support, intersectional representation, and inclusive organizational policies can signal identity safety. Overall, results indicated that it is not sufficient for organizations to signal identity safety for one identity, or for each identity separately; but rather, intersectional support is needed to allow transgender and gender expansive employees of color to feel safe at work.