I'm still digesting what happened. To be frank, it dropped me into a state of shock for days. I couldn't believe how fluidly they lied, right to my face, knowing better.
This year, I was working in a branch of management, at a location I was bloody excited about. In part, I'm fairly certain a piece of this is transgender discrimination. Problem is? It's doubtful that could be proven, in court.
A volunteer member of our team touched me inappropriately. Right behind an entire group of meeting people, during a tour. I didn't react, despite my C-PTSD, there was zero immediate reaction out of me when it happened. You know what? Felt bloody proud of myself for keeping level headed, right then.
Around an hour later, I talked to an elderly staff member in the laundry department. She validated how I was feeling and reminded me I'm allowed to speak up for myself. (No, before anyone says anything, I trust this woman and her advice. She cares, she didn't know this would be my result.)
After several hours, I ran across this handsy volunteer and spoke with him face-to-face. In front of another staff member- who's also in charge of volunteer based coordination- like I'd been. If anything, I'd incorrectly assumed she would vouch for my conversation to others. Yes, I should've asked her in private first, if she would or not. Still… I didn't know some crucial information about this volunteer.
Days later, friends informed me this man was one of the favorites with upper management. Why's that? Well, he's been there for a decade-or-so, and does driving for free. He saves their location money by doing so. Apparently, he's already been reported over touching employees inappropriately; this wasn't new behavior. Did upper management know of this? Yes, that's alleged to be somewhere on record.
Despite these records, upper management lied straight to my face that they didn't believe me. They entirely knew better; didn't matter. Then, attempted to claim that even if this did happen? Claimed I was still in the wrong for how I handled his conversation. How'd that conversation go, you ask? Well, they lied. Again. Remember that staff member I assumed would vouch for me?
Not only did she not do that. She wildly exaggerated how I spoke, and what my mannerisms were, during it. She claimed I was yelling, acted hostile, pointed fingers. I never did. No, my C-PTSD makes me far too afraid of ever displaying real aggression. That's outside of my nature as a person. I believe she did this because she found out I'm transgender. I believe she wanted me gone- took the opportunity.
Part of me wants to hire a lawyer. I don't know if it's worth it, in the end. The worst part? Her and I had a solid conversation in private after the talk with that same volunteer. She faked her ass off to me that entire private talk- knowing she'd spin the story later on. I feel so damn betrayed.