Jessica Bussert is an American transgender woman whose professional journey has taken her from information technology to emergency nursing, while also pursuing her passions for photography, firefighting, and invention. A former senior IT professional at Hitachi Data Systems, she faced discrimination at work after beginning her transition and eventually took the company to court, although she lost the case. Despite the painful financial consequences, Jessica chose to focus on the positive changes in her life and discovered a new calling as an emergency room nurse, a profession she truly loves. Throughout her transition, Jessica was fortunate to have the unwavering support of her spouse of 24 years, Sharon, whose love brought them even closer through the difficulties they faced together.
As a member of the Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance, she participates in educational initiatives, speaking to students, business groups, and community organizations in the hope of changing attitudes and challenging discrimination. Now, following her long-awaited gender-affirming surgery, Jessica looks forward to returning to work as a traveling emergency room nurse. Together with Sharon and their youngest daughter, she also runs an art gallery in Southern Indiana, where they sell their photographs. In our interview, Jessica shares her experiences of workplace discrimination, the importance of love and acceptance, the challenges facing transgender people in American society, and her advice to those struggling with gender dysphoria: to look beyond life's hardships and recognise the joy and blessings that surround us.
Monika: Jessica, welcome, and thank you for joining us today.
Jessica: Hi Monika! Sorry for taking so long in getting this together. I've recently had a few major surgeries and have been laid up with recovery.
Monika: Tell us a little about yourself.
Jessica: “A few words about myself” (grins).
Monika: Almost 10 years have passed since you were demoted from your senior IT job at Hitachi Data Systems after you began your transition. Do any bitter feelings linger?
Jessica: Well, just to set the record straight, the company claimed that I was not demoted. It was their assertion that everyone else had been promoted above me. Yeah... Right... Am I bitter? Yeah, a little bit when I'm having a bad day. That said, I try to focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives. If things hadn't turned out the way they did, then I would have never discovered nursing. And I -love- being an ER nurse!
Monika: You took the company to court, but the case ended in a loss. What was that experience like?
Jessica: During the hearing, we successfully made every point we wanted to and caught the company telling a number of blatant lies. Regardless, the court found in the company's favor. It will forever be one of the great mysteries of my life.
Monika: In your view, what are the main challenges of discrimination against transgender people in the workplace?
Jessica: I believe that the biggest challenge related to discrimination is the fact that, since we make up such a small percentage of the population, we don't have much of a voice in the public forum. As such, it is imperative that we educate the masses so as to hopefully foster change in the future. I regularly give talks to college classes, business groups, and community organizations in the hope of changing hearts and minds on the subject of trans discrimination.
Monika: Losing such a well-paid job must have made that period very difficult.
Jessica: Oh my, yes! If it hadn't been for our savings, we would have definitely gone bankrupt. As it was, we ended up depleting all of our reserves just to make ends meet.
Monika: Did your spouse stand by you during the transition?
Jessica: Sharon, my spouse of 24 years, is the most amazing person I have ever known. She stuck with me through it all, and we became closer because of the trials we had to endure. I am truly blessed to have her in my life.
Monika: Back then, were there any transgender role models you could look up to?
Jessica: There are a number of trans men and women who are wonderful role models. People like Lynn Conway, Dr. Marci Bowers, Christine Burns, Ruth Smart, and many others keep fighting the good fight for all of us. One of my greatest advocates and role models at the time wasn't even trans. His name was Vincent Keter, and he was the barrister who handled my case. Vincent has since passed away, and the trans community lost a great friend when he did. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
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| Courtesy of Jessica Bussert. |
Monika: Coming out is never easy. What was the hardest part for you?
Jessica: I was terrified that I would lose my friends and family as a result of coming out, but the pressure inside just kept mounting and mounting until I couldn't keep it in any longer. The miracle is that I kept all of my family and all of my true friends after transitioning. I guess that is a testament to the quality of people that I've surrounded myself with during my life.
Monika: How would you describe the present situation of transgender women in American society?
Jessica: Wow... That is a tough one. Trans men and women alike are often victimized and cast out like so much fodder. If you don't pass well in the US, then you will most likely end up on the wrong side of the poverty line regardless of your skills and abilities. It is a very sad commentary on my nation.
Monika: Some say transgenderism is the new frontier for human rights. Do you agree?
Jessica: I believe that it already is. LGBT issues are hot-button topics in the political circles of today. Most of the advocacy being performed is focused on the “LGB” end of the spectrum, with the “T” being somewhat of the red-headed stepchild. But as “LGB” becomes more and more mainstream, we are getting a larger share of the spotlight.
Monika: Are you active in politics, perhaps through lobbying campaigns? And can transgender women truly make a difference in that arena?
Jessica: Absolutely! I'm a member of the Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA) and an active participant in their educational speaker's bureau. While other members focus on political lobbying, I prefer to try and open the minds and hearts of our future leaders. I find that younger people tend to have more open minds on the subject of trans issues.
Monika: Love runs through so many life stories. What role has it played in yours?
Jessica: *smiles* I spent the first half of my life convinced that I was unlovable. That is a sad, sad way to live a life. It took a Divine miracle and a loving woman to open my eyes to the love that surrounds me every day. Now I can honestly say that I am unconditionally loved and blessed beyond measure.
Monika: Fashion is another topic worth exploring. Do you enjoy it, and which outfits, designs, colors, or trends do you favor?
Jessica: I miss living in London! There I had the opportunity to dress nicely and follow all the newest trends. Since returning to the States and moving to a rather rural area, I find that I'm in jeans and T-shirts much more often than I'm in evening gowns and trendy outfits! If you wear heels around here, you end up sinking into the mud!
Monika: Many transgender women choose to tell their stories in a memoir. Have you ever thought about writing a book of your own?
Jessica: Sharon is the writer in our family. She is currently working on a memoir called “Life with Jessica,” wherein she discusses being the spouse of a transgender woman. I feel that what she has to say is very important, and I hope her words have the ability to provide encouragement to other spouses dealing with a similar dilemma. Now, if we can only find a publisher...
Monika: What comes next for you right now, and where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 7 years?
Jessica: Well, my immediate next step is to finish recovering from surgery. Even though I transitioned 10 years ago, it was only a couple of months back that I was finally able to have my GRS. Once I'm healed, I plan on going back to work as a traveling emergency room nurse. Sharon and I recently bought a 36′ motor home, and we are touring the nation while I accept short-term contracts in hospitals around the country. We love it! It also gives us the opportunity to take some amazing photographs while we are on the road.
Monika: Photography is clearly a big part of your life. Is it something you share with your family?
Jessica: Together with our youngest daughter, we own an art gallery in Southern Indiana where we sell our images. If you are ever in the area, please stop by and see our work!
Monika: Finally, what would you say to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Jessica: In every day of our lives, we have the choice to fill our awareness with the shit that surrounds us or with the joy and blessings that surround us. It is our choice. Even in the darkest life, there are miracles everywhere if we only open our eyes wide enough to see them.
My advice? Focus every bit of your awareness each day on the joy around you. Yes, shit happens. But that doesn't mean I need to focus my life on it.
Monika: Jessica, thank you so much for this conversation.
Jessica: You are very welcome! Thanks for helping to give us all a voice.
All the photos: courtesy of Jessica Bussert.
© 2014 - Monika
Kowalska
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