Monarch Fall 2015

My Top Manager is a Transwoman
By: Michaela
eplmendy99@aol.com
I first met Kristy after she had been working for a month at
one of my El Pollo Loco restaurants in Thousand Oaks,
California. Kristy is a tall dark haired Latina, transwoman in her
late twenties. While observing her, the first thing I noticed was a
caring and good natured attitude with our customers. She was
our first transgender employee and I was anxious to meet her.
The manager who hired her put her front and center at the cash
register, which is where she belongs. She is great with customers.
As we got to know each other she told me the story of what had
happened at a previous job with Taco Bell. Kristy had worked at
a Taco Bell in the Ventura County area. Though she clearly
identified as a woman, the manager told her she must use the
men's bathroom. While using the bathroom one day, she was
sexually molested by a customer. Her employer's response was to
tell her, she could use the women's room but only when no other
women are inside. One time, while using the women's restroom,
a female customer entered after Kristy was inside. This customer
complained to her husband about a man dressed as a woman in
the ladies room. Her husband pressured store management into
firing Kristy. Unfortunately, her story is not unique. I have heard
so many stories just like hers from other transwomen.
The basic need for any transgender person to get a foothold in
this world is to have a decent job. Today transwomen are more
than twice as likely to be living in poverty. There are
considerable barriers both social and legal
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