A trans delivery driver who needed to pee during a shift found an unexpected ally in their trainer, Lee, who quickly adapted to the driver's needs after learning they were transgender. The incident, described in a first-person account, highlights the power of acceptance and the reality that most people do not harbor hatred toward trans individuals.
Trainer's Response to Coming Out
While parked near a residential alleyway six hours into the first shift, Lee suggested a spot for the driver to relieve themselves. The driver, who is trans and does not have a penis, explained they could not use the location. When the driver blurted out, 'I don't have a dick. I'm trans,' Lee's eyes widened, but he responded firmly yet kindly: 'No. I shouldn't assume. We're all different, and that's beautiful.' He then drove off to find a suitable place for the driver to pee, demonstrating immediate understanding and support.
Longstanding Bathroom Struggles
The driver recounted lifelong difficulties with toilets, even before coming out as trans. As a child, they were yelled at for using the 'wrong' bathroom, and as an adult, they faced confusion and hostility in women's toilets. Coming out in 2016 brought acceptance from friends and family in Malaysia, who, despite occasionally misgendering them, offered love and support. An aunt said, 'Anyone who hates you for being trans isn't really a Christian – God doesn't make mistakes.'
Workplace Fears and Reality
Despite social support, the driver feared workplace transphobia. When signing up for the delivery job, they concealed their gender identity, terrified of being trapped in a van with a stranger who might harm them. However, Lee's reaction proved those fears unfounded. He treated the driver like any other person, sharing tips and joking, focusing only on job performance. Another trainer later echoed this sentiment, saying, 'Anyone does anything like that to you here, you tell me and I'll sort them. We don't do that to each other – I don't care who you are, we're a team.'
Broader Message of Acceptance
The driver, now a Director at Simply Equality, a social enterprise educating on inclusion, concluded that most people just want to know if trans individuals can do their jobs and are decent people. 'Despite what we're told, the vast majority of people don't actually hate trans people,' they wrote. 'Allies are all around us. We just have to give them a chance.' The story is part of Metro's Queer Hope & Joy series, in partnership with LGBT Foundation's Hope Starts Here campaign, aiming to spread hope and joy within the LGBTQ+ community.
