Empowering Perspectives: Tate Smith on trans visibility and allyship

To mark International Trans Day of Visibility, activist and role model Tate Smith talks to myGwork's Pepi Sappal about his experience of transitioning at work and how he is using his recently acquired male privilege to encourage other men to be better allies to women at work. 

Since founding his consultancy business last year, Tate Smith has been actively working hard to promote trans inclusion policies, workplace intersectionality, and diversity by sharing his personal story with many organizations. He highlights the significant reduction in sexist attitudes he now encounters since transitioning and reflects on the challenges he faced while working as a legal secretary when he presented as a woman, including verbal abuse and harassment, which significantly diminished post-transition.  

“I was working in one of the most stereotypical female jobs, a legal secretary, and had to put up with many derogatory comments. However, all of that went away, seemingly overnight, once I started medically transitioning,” shares Tate. “Now, as a man, I'm seen as intelligent, knowledgeable, and confident.” 

One of the first changes he noticed was that senior male colleagues asked for his opinion: “When I was presenting as female, I was never asked for my input on a project or for my opinion. But that changed after I transitioned.” 

From facing verbal abuse and harassment as a legal secretary to becoming an advocate for women's voices, Tate emphasizes the power of leveraging his newfound male privilege to challenge biases and promote equality.  

Having become aware of his male privilege, Tate started to speak up for women in meetings, challenge biases and promote equality. “For example, if a woman suggests an idea that isn’t taken seriously until another man suggests it – which happens all the time by the way – I call it out right away as it’s really important to learn from this type of sexist behavior.” 

Tate believes men need to be better allies to women in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of calling out inappropriate comments and ensuring women feel safe at work. “Another male privilege is that I can walk home after a late night out without fearing cat calls or harassment,” highlights Tate. “That was not the case when I was presenting female.”  

Men need to show up for the women in their lives and workplaces all year round, not just on International Women's Day, emphasizes Tate. “It’s important to celebrate women publicly for their achievements, not just when they're being promoted around women's events. We want this to be an ongoing year-round conversation.” 

He also advises men against virtue signalling, noting: “There are fantastic male allies out there, especially senior leaders. However, there are also a select few who might take it as an opportunity for D&I credit, as more workplaces add diversity and inclusion as a mandatory item to appraisals.” 

Tate, now 25, realized he was trans at 16, back in 2015. Unfortunately, a lack of family support led him to return to the closet until autumn 2018, when he decided to transition again.  

“I started my testosterone treatment in April 2019, and in August 2020, I had top surgery. As my body went through this second puberty, with the flat chest and broadening shoulders, I finally felt at home and at peace within myself. I'm coming up to a very big five-year milestone, marking the end of my transition. I feel like I finally know who I am and who I want to be going forward.” 

Describing testosterone as a powerful hormone, Tate details the physical and mental changes he experienced: “My voice dropped, and I developed an Adam's apple and a defined jawline. I experienced other typical aspects of male puberty, including a spotty back, broader shoulders, feeling hungry and irritable all the time, and a bit more sweaty than usual.” 

Tate also acknowledged some of the unexpected and challenging menopause symptoms he experienced. “One of the really big changes that I didn't expect was the menopause. I’m dealing with challenging symptoms like brain fog and hot sweats. But all in all, testosterone has changed me for the better. I love how much my face has changed – I have thicker eyebrows, a defined jawline, and even my hair feels different.” 

Tate shares how his last employer’s health insurance helped to cover his transition surgery, as well as the importance of policies covering a range of gender-affirming surgeries, something that very few workplaces offer.  

“I speak to many organizations that say they have supportive policies for trans people that cover gender-affirming surgery. However, often, it only covers lower surgery. But not every trans person wants or has lower surgery. Having top surgery is crucial for a trans person like me. I couldn't wear white shirts because I was afraid people would see my binder underneath. So I would advise workplaces to check this point with their insurers.” 

More importantly, Tate highlights how workplace health benefits like this can be lifesaving, as not every trans person can afford them, so you end up on long waiting lists. “If employers can offer this as part of their benefits package, it will improve a trans person's financial and mental well-being,” notes Tate. 

He also reveals the numerous inappropriate questions he faced through his transition at work, attributing them to a lack of education and ignorance around the topic. Tate recommends that employers invest in comprehensive awareness training and education initiatives to have those crucial conversations, ideally well before someone discloses their trans identity.  

Tate’s main advice to the corporate world is: “Don't be afraid to support us. Additionally, make resources readily available on the intranet and host awareness events both during and outside of trans visibility days, so you're having allyship conversations all year round. Even if you don't have openly trans people, it doesn't mean that there aren't any closeted ones who are still too scared to come out. You need to think about how to create a safe and inclusive workplace where people feel proud to come out and will attract future top trans talent.”  

With anti-trans hate on the rise on both sides of the Atlantic, Tate emphasizes the importance of people educating themselves, as the community doesn't have the mental capacity to educate everyone: “A Google search will reel off a list of invaluable TED talks, YouTube videos, and other resources. There are fantastic trans activists and influencers out there too. Just follow or connect with them. Do your research, absorb what you read, and reflect on how you can show up for the trans community as an ally.” 

Tate also offers practical advice for individuals considering transitioning: "My advice is not to rush it. Do it when you're ready and in your own time. Most importantly, make sure you have a support network in place. It doesn't need to be your biological family. My chosen family, including colleagues and allies at work, have been a real source of strength through my transition. Create a support network so you have people to bounce off, people to vent to, and people who can support you in your darkest times, as well as people who can help you grow your confidence so you can become the person that you were always destined to be."