The state of Nevada, as a whole, is a nationally recognized leader in supporting transgender rights. Through legislation and messaging, our current batch of elected leaders, led by Gov. Steve Sisolak, have endeavored to foster an environment where trans people can, at the very least, feel welcome in public. 

By leading from the front, these constitutional office holders, legislative officials, and members of the judiciary have helped create a landscape which in partnership with local nonprofits has given rise to a very active and vocal community focused on justice and advancement for all those along the gender spectrum. 

Even among Republicans in the #WeMatter State, a group with whom I was closely involved for a period of time, I never experienced hostility because of my transness. This included the titular head of the GOP's state party, Michael McDonald, who — while advocating for a big tent when it came to advancing the "Big Lie" — personally welcomed my presence at events and get-togethers. 

It is no wonder, then, that the first transgender contestant in Miss USA history, Kataluna Enriquez, represented the Silver State during last year's pageant, or that one of the original transgender activists from the Stonewall era, Judy Bowen, chose to retire to Las Vegas. 

It is also true that though those representing gender non-conforming students, such as the Nevada Alliance for Student Diversity, have lit a brighter future for the next generation of trans and non-binary trail blazers, a major concern must be addressed if the notion of full visibility is to be fully realized: Employment rates for those who identify as non CIS gender lag terribly behind that of the general population. 

While the unemployment percentage is at historical lows, many in the trans community are not reaping the benefits of the strong economic growth. 

On a personal note, I was twice fired from very good positions because of my refusal to sacrifice who I was for a job title. The first was as an investment analyst for a hedge fund; the second was communication and outreach director for a multi-state healthcare company. Although these setbacks pushed me into the happy role I now inhabit as a published and paid journalist and author, not everyone in the trans community is so fortunate. 

My experience while transitioning directly led to a belief I now firmly stand behind: We need to decriminalize sex work throughout the state. Many trans women, especially trans women of color, lack any other avenues of income and are forced into trading sexual favors for money. 

Having been solicited for sex or dominatrix work on multiple occasions, each of which I was in position to reject, I understand the fetish-laden, dehumanizing view many men have of my trans sisters. And how do I know this? I once undertook a research assignment and embedded with trans women who were stuck deciding whether to perform oral sex on a random guy for $20 or $40 bucks or going hungry for a day or two. Every time, they chose the money and the ability to afford food.  

Those doing sex work should never be forced or coerced into it for any reason, especially by the need to find money for sustenance. 

An easy, manageable solution exists. 

To every business owner, every hiring manager and every human resources department in every industry across our beautiful state, I implore you:  Don’t just welcome transgender applicants — actively seek them out. 

Not only will you find a pool of employees who are ready and eager to work hard, you will encounter people who bring a unique outlook and life experience to your company's mission. Furthermore, you might just literally save a life. Suicide and murder rates among those living a gender-diverse life far outpace any other demographic in the United States. 

The numbers don't lie.

The decision to live a life outside one's assigned birth gender is not about a "woke" fad, a clothes fetish, or some unspoken sexual perversion. It's about having made the choice to live a life of full authenticity, and as a complete human, despite the hardships involved — or die trying. 

Beginning today, some of you can help make sure the authentic, human part of the equation is the one which wins out. 

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo publishes at the Nevada news portal, Political.tips, and her work has also recently appeared in LGBTQ Nation. She has lived in Las Vegas since 2004, but is presently in Ukraine covering the war with Russia. A parent to one child, she is an analyst by profession.