Katrina McGie: The Trans Talk

By Katrina McGie

VFC Dispatch and Commercial Pilot-in-Training

Let’s talk Trans. Trans World Airlines? No. Transavia? Nah. Transair? Still no!

We’re here to talk about the fantastic support that the Victoria Flying Club has shown me in my journey from being a non-binary person named Michael to the girl I was always meant to be.

Let's be honest: aviation hasn’t always been the most inclusive industry in the world, and even now the percentage difference between self-identifying male pilots and self-identifying female pilots is extreme.

When I started at the VFC, I was already openly nonbinary, which meant that I didn’t consider myself to fit in either category of the man/woman gender binary. I was undoubtedly a little nervous coming into aviation as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. When I asked my co-workers and the Club's members to please not refer to me as “Sir” or “Mr.”, I was honestly expecting it to result in some questions, comments, or even uncomfortable moments. What I wasn't expecting was to be overwhelmingly met with simple and enthusiastic “All right!”s or “Will do!”s. Of course, being pilots, I even had a couple “Wilco”s. It was fantastic. But I was always Mike. One of the FOUR Mike’s at the VFC. Well folks, we have one less Mike now.

Well folks,

With that, I’d like to formally introduce myself as the VFC's newest Dispatch member: I’m Katrina, but you can call me Kat, and I use She/Her pronouns!

It’s been great to meet all of you. Some of you may have already guessed this was going to come out sooner or later, but the reaction from everyone here, both staff and members alike, has been fantastic.

Of course I have had multiple people bring up to me “You know this life will make aviation that much harder for you, right? The sad truth of it is, it will ABSOLUTELY make everything in aviation harder.

If you ask the majority, if not all, pilots from a minority or female pilots if they’ve ever faced any discrimination and the answer will be yes.

we have one less Mike now

Pilots in the LGBTQ+ community face similar issues and consistently have to prove to their colleagues that they deserve to be here. But things are changing, and in 2016, the FAA changed their wording for Trans people from suffering from a Gender Identity Disorder to the much more accepted term Gender Dysphoria. This makes for a

good start at least, and the LGBTQ+ community is coming out into the spotlight more in our wonderful world. CAME’s are getting more education on the effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, and how these can affect one’s ability to fly. Airlines are having more inclusivity training.

Even airport security is finally starting to move in the correct direction.

“Flying as you identify” can still definitely be a challenge, but it’s becoming easier. Soon people aren’t going to have to dress up and act as the person society thinks they should be every single day. With inclusivity, mental health gets better. Stress goes down. Physical health improves. When you’re not pretending every single day to be someone you aren’t, you’re generally a happier person. Aviation is already stressful, we all know that. With something as simple as being inclusive, it doesn’t have to be as stressful.

Luckily for me, people in Victoria, and people at the Club have been supportive, and have all been trying their best. Mistakes will happen, it’s inevitable, but corrections are being made just as quickly as a slip-up happens. I don’t expect the world of aviation to revolve around my identity, but what I would like is for anyone else here that’s a part of the LGBTQ+ community to know that you’re not alone! If you’re nervous about coming out in an industry like this, you can always find me at the Dispatch desk and I’ll gladly provide an ear to listen. Whether you’re out or not, you’re supported, you’re valid, you’re respected, and you’re cared about.

Whether you’re out or not, you’re supported, you’re valid, you’re respected, and you’re cared about.

I’d really like to get together with other LGBTQ+ members of the VFC. Let’s make this Club a shining beacon of inclusivity. After all: don’t forget to be awesome!

Sincerely,

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Trans Dispatcher, Katrina