This document summarizes Chris Philipps' experience transitioning gender while working in the tech industry. Some key points include: in 2015, Chris realized they needed to transition gender from female to male; a transition affects one psychologically, physically, emotionally, and socially; most customers and colleagues accepted Chris' transition positively, though a few withdrew temporarily; Chris learned it is their responsibility to clearly manage and define expectations around their transition. The document provides advice for being an ally to transgender individuals.

1. TRANS*CENDING GENDER IN TECH
- a LGBTQ* CTO’s experience
Chris Philipps
Google for Entrepreneurs Stage @ Tech Open Air Berlin 2018

2. Chris Philipps
• Tech Advisor for Startups / VCs
• Interim CTO
• In Tech since 2000
• Conference Speaker
• Author
#lgbtiq #vegan #fairtrade #art
#books #meditation #writing
#consciousness #coffeeshops

3. Disclaimer
• This is my personal experience
• I cannot and do not want to
generalise personal experience
• Every person is different and
has their own story (LGBTQ*
people, too! ;))

4. #woman
#man
#non-binary
#male
#trans*

5. 2015: The elephant rhino in the room
• “I am transgender - and I need to do something about it”
• “How the hell do I survive this?”

6. A Transition is both scary and exciting AF!
Affects social environment:
• Family
• Partner
• Friends
• Colleagues
• Customers
• Strangers
Affects you in many aspects:
• Psychologically
• Physically
• Emotionally
• Socially

7. One of the Most Burning Questions:
“Will I loose my customers / jobs?”

8. Fortunately not
- Most people were positive
- A few temporary withdrawals
- Most of them came back

9. Lessons Learned

10. Someone saved my life tonight…
#1

11. #2 - It is my responsibility to manage my transition!
- Leaving it unmanaged is risky
sometimes, because it creates
uncertainty and insecurities
(“shall we say ‘welcome to the
boys club?’”)
- Don’t delegate it

12. #3 - It is my responsibility to define the new normal
- If you feel awkward,
the others will feel so, too
- Minimise the drama
- Get off the guilt train
- Have a clear understanding
of your feelings and boundaries
and let others know

13. How can you be an ally?
@All:
- Accept that people are truly diverse,
don’t promote heteronormativity
- See the human being
- If a person comes out, offer support
- Some people are fine with questions,
others are not. Don’t ask questions
you wouldn’t want to be asked either

14. How can you be an ally?
@HR:
- Hire LBGTQ* people!
- If a person comes out, offer support
and help with communication
if wanted
- Have a pro-diversity /
anti-discrimination policy in
your work contracts!

15. Thank you! <3
…and don’t forget:
cphilipps@me.com

16. Image references:
https://www.boredpanda.com/cute-smiling-animals/
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/2e/b4/9a2eb40942fb40273251ea43788c13ba.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/464715255285793496/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/482870391269213434/
https://www.infoworld.com/article/3237508/agile-development/what-is-agile-methodology-modern-
software-development-explained.html
https://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/kittens-doing-very-human-ish-things-15.jpg?
quality=100&strip=info&w=600
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/The_Elephant_in_the_Room_Banksy-
Barely_legal-2006.jpg
http://animaliaz-life.com/data_images/rhino/rhino1.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/611xltuYOhL._UL1500_.jpg
If an image reference is missing or you think that any right are violated, please contact me under
cphilipps@me.com