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At the height of my gender dysphoria, I made a rather strong effort to become a secretary – I applied for such jobs nearly every day for two months.
I wanted to become subservient. I wanted to nullify privilege.
I rather dreamed of it – just taking orders and putting my head down.
Not one offer came.
I will not claim reverse discrimination – as I had a degree and other work experience, I was probably overqualified.
But it does make me think that at least in conservative areas as I was, in Utah, there was surprise at the other computer at seeing an application from a man.
While I have become less radical, reclaiming manhood (I thought I should be punished for external factors), I still do wonder what it would be like to have such a low-rung role.
If anyone wants to give me a day as a secretary, I’ll gladly take it. I’ll even write about it.
It would probably open me up to a world I’ve never known.
And, as Dominique Gomez pointed out in the Christian Science Monitor, “For gender equality, we need more male secretaries.”
I do maintain that men should feel comfortable to apply for secretarial jobs and that employers should be willing to take a long look at the resumes. At least men appreciate a kind face and curves meeting them at the front desk. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t appreciate seeing a man there, too. Why not give male desiring such work that work? Don’t employers want people who have such hunger?
If men are still struggling to be humble enough to seek out these positions, please “feel liberated to become secretaries,” as Anne York wrote for CNN.
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