BERIGAN Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Fire capt. files grievance against chief after changing gender Fire Capt. Jamie Faucon says in her grievance her supervisor used incorrect gender terms when referring to her in conversations. March 1, 2006 By DANIELLE BANKS 6 News Anchor/Reporter KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- A Knoxville firefighter claims she's being discriminated against because she used to be a man. Fire Capt. Jamie Faucon has filed a grievance against Knoxville Fire Chief Carlos Perez and her supervisor, Mark Foulkes. She accuses them of depriving her of a take-home car, of reassigning her and cutting out her overtime because she is a transgendered firefighter. Faucon also says in her grievance Foulkes used incorrect gender terms when referring to her in conversations. She says she never thought she would wind up in a situation like this but the actions that allegedly took place earlier this week left her with no other choice. Faucon had surgery to change from male to female in March 2005. Before making the change, she says she spoke with several city officials and her co-workers were supportive. Faucon's personal data change form notes her gender change was entered into the system in May 2005. "I had worked the law department and Chief Ed Cureton, the former fire chief. They were very supportive. We went through the rigors of getting them to understand the situation, the medical terms, some of the legal aspects," Faucon says. "They were very, very supportive and I'm very appreciative for what they did." Faucon is upset about having to move to a different office. She says that makes doing her job a lot harder. She also says her take home company car privileges are now gone after working hours. She says she needs that to do her job in emergencies. Without it, she can't be on call and loses on-call pay. "To not have a drive home vehicle, they cannot have you in a non-call status. There is no requirement for you to drive your own personal vehicle in an emergency situation," Faucon says. "I, on several occasions, had been called to respond to emergency calls. A couple of them were hauling the trailers and my car is the main vehicle for that on such things as the Hazmat trailer and the EMS trailers." Lastly, Faucon complains about supervisors still referring to her as a he or a sir. Since she has legally changed gender from male to female, she wants the misuse of pronouns to stop. "The proper terminology should be she, her or ma'am. Not he, sir, or his." She's asking to be returned to Fire Station 10 with a take-home car and to be referred to correctly by others in the fire department. Representatives with the Knoxville Fire Department say they cannot respond at this time. City of Knoxville representatives had a similar response, also stating they are waiting for the proper paperwork. A fellow firefighter, who even served as best man as Faucon's wedding 10 years ago, disagrees with her claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTMX Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 You know, someone has to really, really want to become a woman, knowing in advance that they are going to be a really, really ugly woman. Lastly, Faucon complains about supervisors still referring to her as a he or a sir. Since she has legally changed gender from male to female, she wants the misuse of pronouns to stop. "The proper terminology should be she, her or ma'am. Not he, sir, or his." How 'bout it. Is it okay? Last one, then I have to get to work: I guess she stopped being a fireman when they cut off her hose. /Thank you, you've been great. Come back for the late show - it gets a little blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.L.M Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 You know, someone has to really, really want to become a woman, knowing in advance that they are going to be a really, really ugly woman. Lastly, Faucon complains about supervisors still referring to her as a he or a sir. Since she has legally changed gender from male to female, she wants the misuse of pronouns to stop. "The proper terminology should be she, her or ma'am. Not he, sir, or his." How 'bout it. Is it okay? Last one, then I have to get to work: I guess she stopped being a fireman when they cut off her hose. /Thank you, you've been great. Come back for the late show - it gets a little blue. What a stupid and raciste post. Why IT? she's not a human being anymore? DTMX you are just a stupid moron, to say the least and your "humour" smells like your feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTMX Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 You know, someone has to really, really want to become a woman, knowing in advance that they are going to be a really, really ugly woman. Lastly, Faucon complains about supervisors still referring to her as a he or a sir. Since she has legally changed gender from male to female, she wants the misuse of pronouns to stop. "The proper terminology should be she, her or ma'am. Not he, sir, or his." How 'bout it. Is it okay? Last one, then I have to get to work: I guess she stopped being a fireman when they cut off her hose. /Thank you, you've been great. Come back for the late show - it gets a little blue. What a stupid and raciste post. Why IT? she's not a human being anymore? DTMX you are just a stupid moron, to say the least and your "humour" smells like your feet. Having reviewed my post I do realize that I was in error. My response was juvenile, and to my shame - a public display of my immature and my racist ways. I apologize to all members of this board who were offended by my insensitive comments. Though I may have mocked, I admire the courage that one must gather to undertake such a drastic change in body modification. Certainly it is not a decision to be made lightly, nor should I have made sport of one who felt that this life-altering change was necessary for them to live a fulfilling life. Wendy Carlos, Jennifer Leitham, David Palmer - all transgendered artists. But do I consider them artists, not its - only because I feel a connection with their musical talents? What about the transgendered individual who cannot carry a tune - how would I see that person? Would I see them as a person or would I only see the transgendered part of that person (metaphorically speaking, of course). I have much to think about. It is time for me to re-evaluate myself: my thoughts, my attitudes, my racist ways. What do I have to offer the world, and what can I do to make amends for the pain that I brought to society? Like I said, I have much to think about. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 How is this racist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeCity Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 What a stupid and raciste post. Why IT? she's not a human being anymore? DTMX you are just a stupid moron, to say the least and your "humour" smells like your feet. "raciste"- It's true, everything sounds more classy in French! (insert smiley with a beret and cigarette here) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Twizzle Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 (edited) I used to ride a commuter train into NYC in the afternoon, and most days the only other person at the station was a talkative guy who told me he worked as a security guard in the city. Generally I don't like making small talk with strangers but this guy was so friendly and upbeat that most days I enjoyed bullshitting with him. After a while he stopped showing up and I figured he either moved, changed his hours or quit his job, etc. Then one day about 5 or 6 months after I had last seen him, he reappeared dressed as a woman complete with a pair of very noticeable female breasts. Apparently he had taken time off to get a sex change operation. He was not a good looking guy and as woman she was grotesque not unlike the woman pictured in the first post. The only thing I could say to "her" was "You look different" She just smiled. I quickly moved away because I couldn't stand to look at her or even talk to her. I only saw her a few more times after that and each time I snubbed her. Do I feel guilty for being such an uptight transexualphobic? Yeah a little. Edited March 3, 2006 by Randy Twizzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I work in the middle of West Hollywood. Fairly common here. Saw one who looked like John Lithgow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERIGAN Posted March 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 (edited) ...and your "humour" smells like your feet. I hear his feet smell like springtime. Edited March 4, 2006 by BERIGAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDK Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I work in the middle of West Hollywood. Fairly common here. Saw one who looked like John Lithgow. You sure it wasn't John Lithgow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I work in the middle of West Hollywood. Fairly common here. Saw one who looked like John Lithgow. You sure it wasn't John Lithgow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Last one, then I have to get to work: I guess she stopped being a fireman when they cut off her hose. Shit. Do I have to pretend I didn't laugh at this one now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Why IT? she's not a human being anymore? Hey, I'll be honest; I am not comfortable with transgendered people. I've known some, and dealt pleasantly with them, but I am NOT comfortabel with them. I can easily understand that, in time, this position will be looked upon as equal to being a racist or xenophobic. But that's for me to deal with, and it would be dishonest for me to pretend that I didn't in some way think that removal and/or replacement of original parts didn't in some way void the warranty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I've met a fair number of transsexuals and other transgendered individuals over the years, I have to say that I find the kind of mocking that goes on behind their backs to be quite juvenile. These are human beings who have made a very difficult decision, and by so doing they have opened themselves up to ridicule (and, believe me, they know that people laugh at them). We owe them a little more respect than they commonly get... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Agreed. Tougher life for them than it is for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcy62 Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I've met a fair number of transsexuals and other transgendered individuals over the years, I have to say that I find the kind of mocking that goes on behind their backs to be quite juvenile. These are human beings who have made a very difficult decision, and by so doing they have opened themselves up to ridicule (and, believe me, they know that people laugh at them). We owe them a little more respect than they commonly get... I could have write the very same post, (maybe with some grammar errors in it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownian Motion Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 [ I can easily understand that, in time, this position will be looked upon as equal to being a racist or xenophobic. I believe it just as likely that a desire to change gender will be seen someday as a treatable form of mental illness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Possibly, but that again is an oversimplification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 How is this racist? Good question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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