queer@work: Interview with Faye Kuhn

Please tell us something about your career at ARRK Engineering to get us started!
 

I started in project management at ARRK in November 2021, when there were two of us in the team. When my colleague Ralf left the company at the beginning of 2022, Philipp, my group leader, approached me and asked me if I could imagine myself in the position of team leader.
 

Because I had the feeling right from the start that ARRK cultivates an open and honest culture of discussion, I also played my cards close to my chest and spoke to him about my transition process ... and also about his assessment of what this meant for the role of team leader. He responded very positively. I've been Team Leader since April 2023.
 

You are now in charge of the Hardware and Software Logistics team and also present yourself as a trans woman in the working environment.Did you need to trust your colleagues to come out?What role did the work culture at ARRK and the team spirit play in this?
 

The team has grown since then and was therefore also involved in the process. I sought out personal discussions and told everyone in the team step by step. Of course, it always has to be a good fit, not every day is equally suitable. It was received very positively by everyone, which is certainly also due to the fact that we have a very good team spirit overall and that we all get on well with each other, even privately.
 

Did anyone support you?
 

Yes, I received a lot of support from Philipp, but also from the managers in general. In addition, my team in particular continues to be very supportive, as employees are now also approached and asked about it by other teams. If they can answer questions from other teams and everyone is open about it, then that helps me.
 

Trans people often change jobs after transitioning.When did you feel that ARRK was the company that gave you security and where you could now implement your decision to take the big step?
 

Right from the start. At ARRK, I immediately had a good feeling that I could do this because you can be who you are and, what's more, you are encouraged to bring your own personality to the table. Here you are not only valued for individual aspects, such as your professional skills, but also for your personality as a whole. I couldn't imagine that in the three companies I worked for before.
 

After your coming out, you decided to consistently continue on your path.That probably requires a lot of strength; what inspires you and where do you get your strength from?What can the working environment contribute to this?
 

It's actually the other way around: keeping up appearances is much more strenuous and it's a great relief not to have to do that anymore.
 

A working environment contributes to this by respecting otherness. In recent years, the topic of queerness as a whole has become more socially acceptable, so to speak, and it is currently being instrumentalized in the media for socio-political purposes. Despite the media attention, a lot of educational work is still needed - for example, when it comes to taking a person's name and pronouns into account.
 

At the same time, the use of names is a very central point to which the working environment can contribute. I would like my new name to be mentioned - because the change in the civil register takes months and until then I have to read the old name several times a day. This may not sound unusual to uninvolved ears at first ... but if you consider that the name I have chosen is a sign of my identity and my personality, you can probably understand it better.
 

How important is the visibility of queer issues in the workplace in order to increase well-being and acceptance?
 

The visibility of queer issues is also very important in the workplace because it conveys a sense of belonging and acceptance. It starts with everyday things: If a queer person is asked what they did at the weekend, they have to be a bit evasive to avoid necessarily coming out. Ultimately, you always hide a part of your personality at work if you are not out, because you may consciously express yourself differently on many topics in order to conform to heteronormative ideas, or you may not express yourself at all. It's about creating an environment in the workplace where everyone feels free and safe.
 

My suggestion would be to invite an advisor into the company and offer training on the topic, because the more knowledge there is in the company, the more insecurities are reduced and the less queer people have to explain themselves.
 

We already have this atmosphere in my team or department.
 

We have a unisex toilet on the first floor in Unterschleißheim. Although this is more of a coincidence, it's also a good step, because gestures like this send out strong signals of support and solidarity.
 

What tip would you like to give to colleagues who may be unsure how to deal with this issue?
 

Meet up with people from the community and talk to them. The conversations are enriching and break down prejudices. And very important: ask questions! For example, if you are unsure how someone would like to be addressed or which pronouns to use, ask the person in question. Talk to us rather than about us.
 

Some people know early on that they are trans, others only realize this gradually.Was there a decisive moment in your private life when you realized this?And how did your private environment react to this?
 

There wasn't one decisive moment for me. I would say: you notice it in childhood. At primary school age, gender doesn't play a role yet, it's not an issue when you're playing with girls. As a teenager, I realized that I somehow didn't belong with the boys and I also tended to have female friends. At the same time, when puberty set in, girls no longer perceived me as belonging to them. At some point, I practiced male behavior, or what they thought was male behavior, and took on this role for years. You basically have a professional life, a private life and a secret life, and that doesn't work in the long term.
 

In my private life, people have reacted very positively, they are very happy for me. My family, for example, say I've become a more open person since then.
 

Are you available as a contact person for employees on this topic?Can they turn to you?
 

Yes, of course. If anyone has any questions, I'm available - and statistically speaking, there should be several of us (smiles).
 

A person's gender identity is a very personal matter.At the same time, it has an impact on all areas of life, including working life.
 

Thank you for your insight, Faye!