ABSTRACT
The quote in the title of this chapter is from an American transgender officer and reflects what all transgender research participants conveyed when they explored their position within the LGBT+ policing community. Drawing upon 14 interviews of transgender police, this chapter answers the following research question:
What are the occupational experiences of officers who identify as trans within policing?
This chapter examines transgender participants’ experiences and opinions in an attempt to clarify the unique struggles they face within policing. A large portion of the chapter explores how trans officers construct a social identity within police culture, while negotiating a hyper masculine environment where gender expectations are heightened. Further, this chapter explores the obstacles transgender officers face when disclosing their transgender status at work. Besides examining how transgender officers disclose their transitioning status, their perceptions of gender performance (i.e. the performance of masculinity or femininity) and trans feminine occupational experiences are also examined.