'It's tough to get by'
- Name: Diana O'Brien
- Age: 42
- Hometown: Wilton Manors, Fla.
I was working at a spa while I finished transitioning, and my boss insisted I couldn't present myself as female at work -- and even bought me men's polo shirts to wear as soon as I bought women's shirts.
It created such a hostile work environment that I left in mid-December and I've been looking for work since.
I've applied for 213 jobs. A coffee equipment company offered me a job a couple days ago and I just needed to meet with the technician to get trained. But after I discussed the name change with the employer on the phone, I got a call saying 'we changed our mind,' and they gave me some excuse.
Video: Transgender and unemployed for four years
I've spent all my savings now and sold almost all my valuable personal property. I'm doing dog walking and handywoman projects to get by -- I brought in $725 in the month of January.
I receive $47 per month in food stamps and get some groceries from a local church's food closet. The money I've made will get me through March, at which point I will either have made enough to pay April's rent or will face homelessness.
It's tough to get by, but it's important to maintain a positive outlook -- and I do.
