Meet & Greet: Tate Smith, Founder of Tate Smith Consulting

Rainbow Role Model Tate Smith talks to myGwork about his transitioning journey, with insights on some of the challenges that trans people face at work and the importance of allies to improve workplace inclusion to mark Trans Awareness Week.

Hi Tate, can you tell us about your current role/business?

I founded Tate Smith Consulting earlier this year to equip brands and businesses with policies and specialist advice on trans inclusion. I've worked on everything from transitioning at work guidance to implementing gender-neutral bathrooms, to reviewing CPD programmes and updating pronoun and gender identity fields in HR systems. My goal is to ensure that every workplace is a safe environment to not only come out in, but to thrive in.

Can you tell us about your career journey to date? 

I started my career in business support roles before eventually cutting my teeth as a legal secretary at Clifford Chance. Whilst at the firm, I redrafted their trans policy and successfully advocated for top surgery to be covered by their private medical insurance provider which helped me discover my passion for activism and public speaking. I took this forward to other law firms and started delivering my well-known lunch and learns and launched a new career as a consultant and speaker. I'm so grateful that I am now able to combine my legal, advocacy, project management and secretarial skills into a bespoke role which gives me so much purpose.

Are you involved in any initiatives to mark Trans Awareness Week?

I will be delivering a number of speaking engagements in front of large corporations and attending Trans in the City and We Create Space's Trans Voices event - I'm particularly excited to hear the Trans Choir for the first time! In addition, I'll be sharing content in collaboration with Celebrate Trans Joy and JAAQ at Work to discuss trans awareness and allyship.

Can you tell us about your personal transition journey? 

I came out as trans in late 2015, a few months prior to my 17th birthday and had to go back into the closet due to lack of family support. Once I left home, I started living full-time as male and began medically transitioning in 2019 and then had top surgery the following year. It was the best decision I ever made and I'm so proud of my younger self for prioritising my wellbeing. The odds were really stacked against me but once I took control of my own life, things instantly got better for me.

What were some of the challenges that you faced along the way? 

The lack of support from my family has been particularly difficult, but I am so grateful to have created a life and chosen family here in London. There have been plenty of negative experiences coming out in the workplace including inappropriate questions, unsupportive line managers and being outed by colleagues but I have turned these into positive experiences and opportunities to share my lived experience and educate others.

What challenges are people in the trans community still facing, especially at work? 

Unfortunately, trans people are still hiding their identity at work because they're in fear of discrimination. Many will be excluded by colleagues for being trans or gender diverse. I know many trans people who refuse to come out because they believe their workplace isn't doing enough or some go back into the closet once they've finished transitioning because they don't have the capacity to keep coming out.

What advice can you offer someone considering transitioning? 

Transition when you are ready, confident and comfortable and make sure you have a support network around you. You have a right to enter this phase of your life as your full and authentic self so prioritise your wellbeing and do everything you can to ensure you live a happy and fulfilling life. Remember, it gets better!

How important is LGBTQ+, particularly trans inclusion in the workplace to you? 

Incredibly important. With the number of employees going back into the closet and attacks on LGBTQ+ in the press and real life, I believe workplaces should be making a strong effort to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and check in on their employees at this time.

In your opinion, how important are trans allies at work? 

I would not be so out and confident if it wasn't for trans allies at work. They spoke up for me when I was too scared to challenge colleagues, gave me platforms to speak about issues impacting me in the workplace and encouraged my confidence when I did not believe in myself. Allies have the power to transform a daunting experience at the office into a positive one.

What more can organisations do to improve trans awareness and inclusion at work? 

Workplaces need to create inclusive environments for trans+ people to come out by creating robust and informative policies, providing financial assistance for transition and ensuring technical systems allow for gender diverse individuals to express themselves.

Are there any podcasts that you are listening to or books that you are reading right now and would recommend to other LGBTQ+ professionals?

I'm currently alternating between Pageboy by Elliot Page and Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows by Christine Burns which I both highly recommend as they're really inspiring and informative.

What's your all-time favourite movie/show and how many times have you watched it?  

My all-time favourite movie is an Italian film named Cinema Paradiso. I've lost count of how many times I've watched it. The story and soundtrack is so beautiful!

What's your most favourite holiday destination to date? 

Rome! That was my first solo holiday and trip as a man. I remember sitting opposite the Colosseum eating a pizza and drinking a Peroni, thinking "this is the start of my new life."

What do you do to unwind at the end of the day? 

 Eat good food, listen to ASMR and journal my thoughts for the day!