Principal engineer at Intel, Rachael Parker, was one of the first openly trans employees in tech. Here's how she's continuing to fight for workplace protections:
25 years ago, Rachael Parker took a job at Intel as a closeted transgender woman. She thought it would be safest to keep her identity hidden, but after a year of holding this secret inside, she couldn’t do it anymore. Seeking guidance, she joined what was at the time the company’s GLB employee resource group for gay, lesbian, and bisexual employees. Parker was the only trans-identified member.
“At the time it would have been perfectly legal for Intel to say, ‘That’s weird, we don’t want you here,’ and fire me,” says Parker. “There weren’t any protections for trans employees. So that’s what I started to work on with HR, internal allies, and advocates.” For two years, Parker made presentations to various Intel leaders, continuing to move up the ladder until she was finally able to present to those at the very top. “I had a few minutes to come in and make my case," she says."And they said yes. And that was amazing.”
To anyone else fighting for workplace protections, Parker insists on finding allies. “Don’t do it alone. Find an ally in HR. Find an ally in legal…So much of the work was even just knowing the right people to talk to, who to approach, how to approach them, and that’s stuff you can get help with from your allies.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
11 Transgender & Non-Binary Musicians You Need to Know11 transgender & non-binary musicians you need to know summerofpride pridemonth
Read more »
Tensions between trans women and gay men boil over at Stonewall anniversaryA black transgender woman wanted to be heard, but the white men wanted to celebr...
Read more »
Baby Blue Would Like to Put You in a Trance'I am fighting for everyone by simply existing in the public eye.' baby__blue_
Read more »
New York bans gay and trans 'panic' defensesNew York became the sixth state to ban the so-called gay and trans 'panic' defense Sunday, as millions of revelers celebrated WorldPride in Manhattan.
Read more »
'Pose' Star MJ Rodriguez on Being a Trans Actress of Color and the Power of MakeupPoseFX Star MJ Rodriguez on Being a Trans Actress of Color and the Power of Makeup PoseOnFX
Read more »