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At the height of my gender dysphoria, I made a rather strong effort to become a secretary – I applied for such jobs nearly every day for two months.

I wanted to become subservient. I wanted to nullify privilege.

I rather dreamed of it – just taking orders and putting my head down.

Not one offer came.

I will not claim reverse discrimination – as I had a degree and other work experience, I was probably overqualified.

But it does make me think that at least in conservative areas as I was, in Utah, there was surprise at the other computer at seeing an application from a man.

While I have become less radical, reclaiming manhood (I thought I should be punished for external factors), I still do wonder what it would be like to have such a low-rung role.

If anyone wants to give me a day as a secretary, I’ll gladly take it. I’ll even write about it.

It would probably open me up to a world I’ve never known.

And, as Dominique Gomez pointed out in the Christian Science Monitor, “For gender equality, we need more male secretaries.”

I do maintain that men should feel comfortable to apply for secretarial jobs and that employers should be willing to take a long look at the resumes. At least men appreciate a kind face and curves meeting them at the front desk. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t appreciate seeing a man there, too. Why not give male desiring such work that work? Don’t employers want people who have such hunger?

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If men are still struggling to be humble enough to seek out these positions, please “feel liberated to become secretaries,” as Anne York wrote for CNN.

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