Hi Fraus
I've finally been dragged out of hiding to comment because I can no longer refrain from addressing this absolute bullshit!!
I worked in Police Control at almost the exact same time as our friend was in Fire.
We had to wear uniform, but this comprised of traazers as these were felt to be more universally appropriate. Skirts had been phased out years before There was a far larger proportion of LGBQ staff than I have come across in any other work environment before or since and we even had 2 (!!!) trans colleagues.
As other Fraus have pointed out, this was around 2010, not 1910, there was a lot of campaigning around LGBTQ rights; special lanyards, pin badges, societies etc etc. If a Frau with a 'masculine leaning aesthetic' had been denied traaaazers there would have been a monumental uproar. The Union would have been clawing at the walls, a chaos would have ensued and Old Chief would have been put out to pasture. I'm sorry, its just complete bollocks.
I have forensically examined photos of passing out ceremonies of the time and guess what most of the firemanladies are wearing?
If that wasn't enough, I should add that whilst working in Police Control I found myself unexpectedly pregnant and subsequently a single mother (actually single, as in lone). Guess what? I had my beautiful Bebe, asked for reasonable adjustments to be considered, (under all those equal opportunities policies that existed because it was 2010 not 1910) to accommodate childcare and immediately moved to daytime only shifts post maternity. No issue, I just earned significantly less as there was no Ionger an un-social uplift. They don't want to lose experienced members of staff as the turnover is +++ due to the job being HARD, stressful and thankless.
I RENTED and claimed all the benefits I was entitled to. There was no wailing and gnashing of teeth; neither me nor my SB starved. We lived v. frugally but comfortably, warmly & happily.
I worked in Police Control for about 6 years... I would be mortified to even consider putting 'Ex police force' in a bio. It gets a cursory mention in my CV but quite honestly, I remember close to fuck-all and 10 years later, I imagine the role, processes & policies have changed considerably.
My apologies for the essay but I could bare it no longer, and so this has been something of an explosion. And may I add what a fantastic bunch of kind, intelligent and funny Frauen und herren you are.
I've finally been dragged out of hiding to comment because I can no longer refrain from addressing this absolute bullshit!!
I worked in Police Control at almost the exact same time as our friend was in Fire.
We had to wear uniform, but this comprised of traazers as these were felt to be more universally appropriate. Skirts had been phased out years before There was a far larger proportion of LGBQ staff than I have come across in any other work environment before or since and we even had 2 (!!!) trans colleagues.
As other Fraus have pointed out, this was around 2010, not 1910, there was a lot of campaigning around LGBTQ rights; special lanyards, pin badges, societies etc etc. If a Frau with a 'masculine leaning aesthetic' had been denied traaaazers there would have been a monumental uproar. The Union would have been clawing at the walls, a chaos would have ensued and Old Chief would have been put out to pasture. I'm sorry, its just complete bollocks.
I have forensically examined photos of passing out ceremonies of the time and guess what most of the firemanladies are wearing?
If that wasn't enough
, I should add that whilst working in Police Control I found myself unexpectedly pregnant and subsequently a single mother (actually single, as in lone). Guess what? I had my beautiful Bebe, asked for reasonable adjustments to be considered, (under all those equal opportunities policies that existed because it was 2010 not 1910) to accommodate childcare and immediately moved to daytime only shifts post maternity. No issue, I just earned significantly less as there was no Ionger an un-social uplift. They don't want to lose experienced members of staff as the turnover is +++ due to the job being HARD, stressful and thankless.I RENTED and claimed all the benefits I was entitled to. There was no wailing and gnashing of teeth; neither me nor my SB starved. We lived v. frugally but comfortably, warmly & happily.
I worked in Police Control for about 6 years... I would be mortified to even consider putting 'Ex police force' in a bio. It gets a cursory mention in my CV but quite honestly, I remember close to fuck-all and 10 years later, I imagine the role, processes & policies have changed considerably.
My apologies for the essay but I could bare it no longer, and so this has been something of an explosion. And may I add what a fantastic bunch of kind, intelligent and funny Frauen und herren you are.
SO many thoughts on that ramen
but it was a long time coming!
