Transgendered Student Affairs Professional Working at University of the West

Michael H. Lopez <michaell@uwest.edu> To: Lisa Portillo <lisap@uwest.edu> Cc: "peppermlopez@gmail.com" <peppermlopez@gmail.com> Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 12:50 PM

Dear Lisa, This is the promised email that recaps our conversation from Friday July 12, 2013. On Friday July 12, the West, transitioning, and living full time in the role of my authentic gender identity. On a personal so friendly and not at all intimidating. It really meant a great deal to me.

2013, I requested a meeting with you to discuss my transgendered identity, coming out at University of level I want to express my thanks to you for being so absolutely supportive, and making the conversation

As I had mentioned in the conversation, I have come out as transgendered to family and friends

already. On my time not at work I present myself as chosen female gender identity. Work is the only

place that I am still presenting myself in my assigned birth gender. On August 1, 2013 I will be going very funny person whom I still adore. His name was Michael.

full time. This means that I will be living as a woman exclusively. In other words, I am putting away a

Starting on August 1, 2013, or sooner if the university is ready; I will be calling myself Pepper. Eventually, I will engage in the somewhat cumbersome process of legally changing my name and gender, but for now I would like to be addressed by my chosen name. Once those legal changes are complete I will update like to see addressed within this window of time, or by that date.

human resources with the new documents for I-9 purposes. The following are relevant issues that I would

I. II. III.

New business cards will be needed. My name should read as follows: Pepper M. Lopez. I would very much appreciate feminine pronouns being used after this date, and I see this as appropriate with my chosen gender role. Once I start living full time I would like to be using the gender appropriate restroom at work. This would be the womens room. However, there are unforeseen personnel issues regarding this, a gender neutral restroom would be a secondary option. After August 1, 2013, using the mens room would no longer be appropriate or a comfortable situation for me.

IV.

On our website my name will need to be changed, and I would like the photographic image of me

living as a man to be removed. For now, I am thinking a feminine generic silhouette will suffice. I am expecting the way I look to change significantly over the next two years, and prefer at this time not to have a photo on our website. Most staff and faculty do not have photos of themselves posted on our website.

I cannot think of anything else immediately. I know a great deal about the LGBT community and being

transgendered, and I am happy to assist you in the human resources process regarding my transition here

at work. Please let me know if you need any assistance in this regards. Also I am happy to meet with

Vanessa, as you suggested; as well as other administrators and supervisors with you feel are important to to any meetings which I should be having with the university leadership.

this process of transitioning at the university. Please keep me posted on anything you need, or in regards

Sincerely, M.H. Lopez

Enrollment Assistant

University of the West Rosemead, CA 91770

1409 North Walnut Grove Avenue 626-571-8811 x313

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