'Trans people just want to exist without being a political football' - myGwork Speaks to Enterprise's Tamsin Wallace

Louise Sinnerton from myGwork sat down to talk to Tamsin Wallace, a Recoveries Specialist at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Can you please introduce yourself and your role within your organisation

Hi, my name is Tamsin Wallace. I work for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in their Non-fault Claims Department as a Recoveries Specialist. My pronouns are She/Her/Hers, and I am a trans woman.

Can you please tell us about your experience transitioning? Did you get the support you expected?

Yes and no. The support from family and friends and my employer, Enterprise, has been amazing. I don’t have a bad word to say. Support from a medical perspective is something that I was, and am, immensely disappointed in, a lot more needs to be done in this area.

Do you think the T is visible enough in the LGBTQ+ community? 

I think trans people are visible, and increasingly so. What needs to be ensured however is that it is POSITIVE visibility, where trans people are not seen as ‘other’ or the punchline of a cheap joke, or something seen as unnatural. We’re just people. The Disclosure documentary on Netflix is a challenging, powerful discussion on exactly this issue, and I cannot recommend highly enough that you watch it. I would also recommend reading Shon Faye’s “The Transgender Issue: An Argument For Justice”, which is an incredible book.

What is your advice for allies to be (more) trans-inclusive?

Just treat us as people, treat us with the same dignity and respect and validity you would with anyone else. Trans people don’t want to be special, we don’t want anything more than what everyone else already has, to be treated as regular, normal, valid, human beings. The best thing you can do is educate yourself in a respectful manner. Speak up in support of trans people you see being marginalized or othered or in need of affirmation. Take the time and effort to go away and work on their pronouns. It really makes a difference, not just to the trans people but to society as a whole in helping the progression of inclusivity and evolution of society towards a more enlightened and enriched state.