For the past two years, Bendigo Health Specialist Clinics has proven to be the ideal workplace environment for EJ Clayton to grow and excel in his healthcare career, while also being a safe space to learn about, get to know and become more himself, “more me”.
Last year EJ came out as Non-Binary, and this year officially as a Transgender man.
Following a dark period of poor mental health this year, EJ felt it was time to make some changes and shared with his colleagues through a Gender Reveal cake.
“Everyone was really supportive - and enjoyed the cake too, I wanted it to be fun and comfortable for people,” EJ said.
EJ spent a long time in the “uncomfortable zone” but “as soon as I started transitioning I was able to really recover from that, so I found it really took me out of that dark place I was in and it’s opened my eyes to living again,” said EJ, who now prefers the pronouns he/him.
“My co-workers here have been really supportive. I know that this is a safe space and I’ve been able to move forward and start seeing a medical specialist to explore what transitioning can do for me, and it’s really helped me feel more confident about myself,” he said.
In addition to his administration role in Specialist Clinics looking after outpatients, EJ has taken on clerical shifts in ICU, Palliative Care and other wards in the hospital where he is needed.
Helping in these wards supports patient care develops EJ’s healthcare knowledge, and allows his schedule to be flexible as he is soon to begin a four-year university degree in Paramedicine at La Trobe University.
Fundamentally, EJ has felt supported by his colleagues both professionally and on a personal level.
“Never be afraid of asking questions” he said, whilst encouraging others to do the same, whether it is to excel and be your best at work, or learn more about being a Trans person or ally.
“I really enjoy helping people and I like feeling like I’m making a difference in the work place, and then being able to work together as a team to make sure patients walk out of here happy, even though they might not have come in happy or they are coming in for a bad health reason, we can still at least make their day a little but brighter,” he said.
“Some of my co-workers are great comedians and a lot of us are just very kind, accepting, calming and welcoming and when it comes to someone being stressed or worried we usually try and welcome them in, and give them space and make them feel happy.”
EJ is willing to share his own story to help educate, normalise and create safe spaces for other people.
“If anybody is watching or reading about my situation, I know it might help someone who has thought about it but doesn’t know how to deal with it because they don’t have the right support…and it helps people learn as well,” he said.
“I think people are still learning the ropes of allyship, people find comfort in being a bystander. And it makes sense, it’s sometimes very hard to stand up, but I think the more we can normalise it, the better,” he said.
“And if things are still new to you, I think asking questions is the best way to learn and become an ally. Yes, it can be hard to learn new things but it’s also hard for the person going on the journey, they are learning new things themselves and they are going through so many new experiences too.”
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