Emily and Steve Part 8

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The uneasy feeling disappeared in the afternoon, when I saw Mike and Irene from HR walk into Glen's office. After an hour of talking, Glen called everyone in the department into a conference room for a "special meeting." Myself, Rita and the three cackling hens who also work in our department sat down as Mike, Irene and Glen stood at the front of the room.

Glen straightened his tie, and cleared his throat before starting his speech. "Okay, I have just been speaking with our valued co-worker Mike and Irene from Human Resources, and starting tomorrow there are going to be some changes... ummm, positive changes, I should state... in our department. As you all know, we value diversity here, and are welcoming of people of all races, genders, sexuality and ... ummm, other differences, I guess. Anyway, we try and make a positive environment for our staff, and that is all our jobs. So I want us to make a positive environment for the changes... positive changes... that are happening."

Glen stopped and looked at the room for some confirmation that they understood. Other than myself, everyone looked very confused. Glen, reading the confusion on the faces of the staff, turned in a panic to Irene.

Irene stepped forward. "As part of our policy on sexuality and gender diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of sexuality or gender identity. What Glen is trying to say is that Mike has let us know that his gender identity... I mean, her gender identity... is not of ... the... male... identity."

The folks in the room looked around at each other. I was trying to stifle a laugh. As much as I was looking forward to having Emily in the office, watching Glen and Irene squirm through this announcement was quite funny.

Finally, Mike decided to take the reigns himself, and stepped forward.

"What Glen and Irene are trying to say is that, even through I was born as a male, for my entire life I have felt like I am female. No, not felt like a female. All my life I have been a female. My outer appearance has not matched with what I know I am. I would like that to change, and starting tomorrow, I am going to start coming to work dressed on the outside as I am on the inside."
Mike took a few deep breaths. With each breath, I saw mousy, nervous Mike disappear, and in his place strong, confident Emily.