Emotionally available because it shouldn’t be that emotions are more for women and others are more for men. We should feel, regardless of our gender identity.
I am a woman, but my mum tells me I can be whoever I want. So this morning I woke up, I took the first clothes I found in my closet and I went to work. Nobody asked me how my child is and with whom she is with. People give it for granted that a kid has a full cycle of options of relatives and care staff ready to love her and address her needs. They know that being a mum is also being a worker.
Another thing happened: during a meeting, everybody refers to me for decisions, with respect and professionalism. What I wear or the title I have is completely unbound from what I identify with.
During the meeting, we realized that a mistake has been made by one of our co-workers. The pressure is high, the deadlines are tight. Plus, everyone has their private life and what we understood is that John, the guy who slipped, has a lot going on. He started crying. We were all very soon. Do you imagine if this would have happened 20 years ago? People used to say “cry like a girl”. And instead today I assisted a moment of pure humanity: after the meeting, some co-workers came to me to organize a small gathering and a karaoke night to show support to John. One of our co-workers told me that he often feels sad in the same way. We hugged. And I guess whether you are a she, he, they or gender-fluid person, a hug is a life-saver anyway and anywhere.
I am glad we are in a world where I can finally be regardless of my gender identity. I am so glad we are in a world where feelings are for everyone.
Matteo Haenen
Irene Trabalzini
Wien, Austria
02/06/2022
