Odd One Out

You apply for a job at a fancy hotel. The job calls for a professional individual and doesn't necessarily state no tattoos, but you know the stigma over tattoos and know that you are perfect for this position so you cover up at the interview because, well, it's none of their business. As long as you don't flaunt them and it doesn't impede on your work, it shouldn't matter.

You get hired! And you work hard and everyone seems to like you and you keep your tattoos and opinions of tattoos to yourself. One day, your superiors and coworkers are talking about tattoos and not so kindly. They say that people with tattoos are trashy, not very intelligent, and have made mistakes that will destroy their careers and personal lives. You keep to yourself. People can have their own opinions.

Then the next day, that coworker sees your tattoos while washing up in the bathroom and the gossip begins. People begin to stare at you. Some, whom had previously been kind, start to treat you with a lack of respect. They exclude you from whispered conversations and conveniently forget to mention crucial work information to you and your work suffers as a result. Your employer brings up your "mistakes" in a private meeting, blaming you for incompetence, and when you mention what is happening, tells you that they can't do anything about gossip and it is best to just ignore it or deal with it yourself (even though your superiors are also being prejudiced). You go back to work with your head held high because you are proud of your tattoos. They mark your battle wounds and you don't believe you should be ashamed of what you have been through and what kind of person you've become by overcoming those obstacles.

You tell your coworkers that you have tattoos and you will continue to cover them for professionalism, but you won't tollerate the bullying. They say nothing, but a lot of them won't acknowlegde you anymore. Others, men and women that haven't necessarily been friendly previously, have begun asking you personal questions about the tattoos, like what they represent and where you have them. They linger in the bathroom to catch a glimpse of them when you pull your sleeves up to wash your hands. You begin to feel uncomfortable and develope more anxiety about the workplace.

A week later you are called into the office. They aren't allowed to fire you for tattoos due to laws, but they mention the sick day you took the day after telling your coworkers (before passing the probationary period) because you needed a day to get out of the hostile environment and recooperate from the anxiety of dealing with your coworkers. They mention the work that has suffered due to misinformation. They say that you have shown that you aren't reliable and you don't seem to "fit" into their team. You are fired. Once again. And you begin to lose hope in humanity because this is job number five. You know it will only continue to happen and you feel ashamed because people look at you like you are the failure.

Now. What you would you say if we changed a few details and replaced tattoos with being Transgendered...?