r/bluecollartrans

Im 21mtf and am gonna start welding courses at a community college soon. I like working with my hands and like the idea of learning to weld, I think itd be a cool skill to learn and could open up doors to a good career. What makes me nervous, however, is the kinds of people I could potentially be in class with or working with. I live in a red state in the US and don't pass as cis so people would notice that I'm trans, and I'm anxious that could cause tension or problems. I dont want to just give up and not do this because this is like the one thing that I think I figured out about what I want to do in life, but I also don't want to potentially be targeted for being visibly queer. If anyone has any advice on how to like ease nerves or deal with possible bigotry, that'd be helpful.

Hey! I don't know if my job is technically blue collar, but I cook gummy candy. I work with a lot of mineral oil, 200°F+ candy slurry in open pails, and sharp objects that can poke me. Bending and crawling into the machine, as well as having to squat to lift 20 liter buckets of tapioca syrup are usually the issues I deal with. I've trashed a pair of cotton pants that I had, my right leg is stained from oil where I have to kneel on the machine to fill it.

We are provided those white lab coats that Cintas sends, but having to cook 15+ kettles a day in a tin box without working air conditioning makes wearing them unbearable. On top of that, my coworker already got caught in one of the chains because of his coat. Granted, he wasn't paying attention but we shouldn't have to risk that doing a task that needs to be done quickly and over and over.

I was wondering if anybody had suggestions for workwear that is breathable and light, but can also stretch a little. Jeans are my next best bet. Any help would be appreciated!

Hey so I am obsessed with pink. I don't want to bring any more attention to myself/individualize myself further.

I will have to continue to be the most npc white woman imaginable.

Bullying has happened too much. My union is mean. Most contractors, managers, and people on sites are mean. This contractor is the only safe haven, and I want it to stay that way.

They do not need to know my sexuality.

They do not need to know my culture.

They do not need to know my gender identity.

leftists and conservatives, both could bully me.

Not a blue collar worker just yet but about to start a course to learn to weld and get a degree in it, hoping it goes well and slightly concerned Ill probably be the only queer person in class and maybe even the only woman or woman adjacent person there

As the title says. If you're blue collar or not, a manufacturing company here in Dallas is hiring. Many people for many positions. I work on wiring low voltage switchgear for them and I recommend this company to anyone here needing a job. Flex/Crown if you want to look it up. And I wouldn't mind a referral bonus if you do decide to hire on. 😁

Side note. I hate my life, I'm tired of my existence, but I do like this job. Even if it is helping data centers get built. They are a DEI company still and treat their employees well. I hope someone here finds this helpful.

❤️Dayna