Misgendering in Meaningful

  • April 3, 2025, 9:36 a.m.
  • |
  • Public

I was called to an emergency and when I arrived at the location I found a group of employees huddled around a man on the floor panicking. As I approached I asked what happened, is he ok and that the ambulance was Enroute. Immediately half the group of people corrected me abruptly/sternly and said it was a woman and that “she” was …. I kind of froze in confusion and then felt bad but my mind was in emergency mode for the unconscious person on the ground. As the paramedics loaded the person onto the stretcher they gathered information and to note: the individual had a man’s name and ID. Everything went smoothly/text book from there and the individual was later well and in good health. The next day I was shocked to find a complaint filed against me from the person I just saved because I had misgendered them in the heat of the moment. The company was serious about it and an investigation was underway for a week. I was very confused but I admit I felt a bit upset and betrayed. Normally when you save someone’s life they’re thankful and the main larger issue is the emergency at hand yet this wasn’t the case and a first for me. I knew the laws regarding geneder for my state I work in and the recent changes to fenderal law under President trump. None of those issues really affect me and I don’t really care but now I was having to look into everything. In my report I said when I arrived at the scene the person was in men’s clothing, had no breasts, was over 6ft tall and at one point their outer work gown had to be removed for the paramedics and I saw male privates. I also stated I felt bad and had nothing against that issue but that I did think it ridiculous it had taken fore front over everything else. In the end HR sided with me and the individual apologized and thanked me, (forced to). I know this is a touchy subject but it was an eye opener to the ripple effects of politics and how you think something won’t effect me but later it does…? So regardless I have to add that to my arsenal of things to be cautious about during an emergency. I think from now on no matter what I see I’m going to refer to non responsive people as they/them?


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