Meet our train driver, Danielle!
At West Midlands Railway we want you to feel comfortable being yourself, which is why we are happy to support colleagues like Danielle (pronouns she/her) to help create awareness of people who struggle with their gender identity and why using people’s correct pronouns are important.
For Transgender Awareness Week, we caught up with our Train Driver, Danielle, on her story about being a transgender person and why using the correct pronouns are important. Here’s what she had to say.
Can you tell us your story?
“For many years I battled internally with myself, denying and hiding my feminine self behind closed doors before finally coming out to the world as transgender. As you can imagine it was very hard for me as a transgender person and those who are non-binary to come out publically due to many factors. I was worried about being ridiculed by others, losing family ties, and even being openly verbally and physically attacked in the street for just being who I want to be. This is all in addition to the struggle of the internal mental battle to go against many perceived gender and social norms.
A lot has happened to me since coming out. I have become much more confident in myself and in 2016 a book was released, “I just want to be her” written by my then partner Hazel Carter detailing our first 12 months together and the happenings of us coming to grips with our relationship whilst exploring where things would take Danielle.
I have subsequently appeared on the Jeremy Kyle show, local TV, radio, and appeared in the December 2016 edition of the ASLEF Journal.
In 2019, I realised that I needed help to assimilate my feelings and thoughts, so I decided to seek out a gender counsellor. Up until this point, I had always said dressing part-time was enough, but things moved on and following my counselling, which I still have, I realised that it is much bigger than I ever imagined. So, after many sessions, I slowly came to understand myself and where I was heading in a much clearer way and have taken the huge step of beginning to transition.
What was life like at work when telling people you were transgender?
Towards the end of 2019, I met with my depot manager where I explained what was happening in my life and where I formally requested a female uniform. From the start of 2020, I began presenting full-time as a woman at work and in my outside life, now using the pronouns she/her and the name Danielle.
During the interview, I thanked my management for their help and assistance, as well as for their understanding of my situation. My colleagues I work with have also been fantastic in their acceptance of me and to date, I have not had any major problems with passengers.
I am currently in the process of taking a Gender Dysphoria Assessment and upon its completion, things will hopefully be changing further for me, this includes a legal name change and the possibility of starting hormone replacement therapy and so much more.
Why is it important for people to use people’s correct pronouns?
It’s important to use the correct pronouns as it shows respect for the person and their decisions in life. People need to realise it takes a lot of inner courage to come out as transgender and to then have the confidence to go about their daily lives in their preferred gender. So, calling someone he instead of she, or vice versa can have a very big effect on that person’s mental health. The smallest of things can knock a person’s confidence!
How do you feel supported by West Midlands Railway?
Coming out as transgender on the railway has not been an easy thing to do, as it’s very male-oriented, but throughout the process, everyone has been wonderful from providing a female uniform when I requested it, to just checking on my everyday wellbeing. It’s been as much a learning curve for me as well as the others I work with and so far, it’s gone well.
I recently changed my name legally to Danielle, so after giving a copy of the deed poll to my manager all my Company records should hopefully reflect that change soon, which will be wonderful!
I know if I have an issue I can go and talk to people to resolve it quickly, so many within the management side have said come and see me if you need to, which is lovely. I couldn’t ask for anything better at all, thank you all!
What message would you give to passengers who use our service who are struggling with their gender identity?
If you’re struggling with your gender identity, don’t think you’re alone, so many people are supportive but above all, get some help to order your thoughts and feelings, be this by talking to close family or friends if you can.
Alternatively, look for a local gender counsellor, there’s plenty out there. I found speaking to a counsellor over time helped me to put things in perspective and gave me more confidence to carry on the journey I am still on. Talking helps so much don’t hide away and bottle it all up, that can be so destructive for you!