I had asked this on another’s post and someone responded that I should make my own, so here it is!

I’m an apprentice diesel mechanic. I’ve been at my shop for 2.5yrs, I feel like I have a prettybgood work-relationship with everyone here. However I know their views on trans issues, and they aren’t kind. In fact they’re outright hateful. I rely very heavily on other techs for help, questions, borrowing tools from time to time, etc. and I worry that when I start transitioning at best I’ll be ignored and avoided. At worst…well obviously there’s worse than being ignored…

This is a new career for me, I can’t afford to change jobs again at my age (37), and I have a wife and kids I support. Besides all that I’m pretty much an indentured servant here because the company has paid for my training and tools. If I leave for whatever reason I have to give/pay all that back.

I haven’t come out yet to anyone but ya’ll here on Reddit, but I plan to within the next 2 weeks, at least to my wife and kids. After that I want to immediately begin working on my transition because putting it off feels unsafe for my mental and physical health.

How do I navigate coming out at work and keeping my job? Any advice or experience would be invaluable to me! Especially anyone who has transitioned in a blue collar job!

Thank you all in advance!