For Jess Mayer, it was the mirrors. Any time she saw her reflection, she didn't recognize the person. And she resented herself. "It just got so overwhelming that I had to reprioritize my own personal health," she said. #TransDayOfVisibility bit.ly/2PnU5sb 
Those who experimented with gender identity behind masks and screens during the pandemic may soon be returning to the workplace as the rollout of vaccines ramps up and businesses reopen.
But will workplaces be ready to provide a tolerant, safe environment for employees who now identify differently? usatoday.com/story/money/20…
"[My managers and team] were very welcoming and happy for me," Mayer said, who adds that she initially felt some trepidation. "I really think that I had kind of an unusual experience compared to a lot of people."
Among Fortune 500 companies, 9 in 10 have gender identity protections and 7 in 10 have health coverage that includes transgender people, says Deena Fidas of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, which helps companies be more supportive of LGBTQ employees.
But policies on paper don't always mean transgender employees will feel comfortable and welcomed. No explicit statewide laws exist in 27 states that protect LGBTQ people from employment discrimination, according to Freedom for All Americans.
"The fundamental question of 'am I accepted in my workplace and do I belong' is still going to be there," Fidas says. "That doesn’t get mitigated by Zoom or a phone call."
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