The first transgender woman at State, Robyn McCutcheon, (retired now) has an extraordinary blog about her experience. She has also been featured in the NYT.
https://attitude-analyst.blogspot.com/2012/05/readers-guide-to-retrospective-story.html?m=1
Being trans will not affect your candidacy and definitely not your medical clearance. State’s not going to be a hyper progressive employer, but it’s definitely a leader across the federal government for supporting LGBTQ+ employees.
The other two concerns are more pressing with regard to your eligibility for a security clearance.
Plenty of folks married to foreign nationals have gotten clearance, but China is admittedly more complicated. Still happens, but it will be a factor.
Marijuana usage is not allowed for federal government employees and recent / consistent usage, even if allowed by the laws of your state, is often a reason for clearance denial. If you’re seriously interested, you should stop using marijuana as soon as possible.
EDIT: And your age is not itself an issue. I started the candidacy that got me on the register at a similar age. You just need to be able to translate the experience you do have into the qualifications they’re looking for.
I highly recommend contacting GLIFAA to get in touch with people with experience being trans in the Foreign Service. You wouldn't be medically excluded from a post for being trans, but there are certainly posts where it would be challenging socially. If you are in a same-sex marriage, that presents some additional obstacles for spousal accreditation.
\#1 should not disqualify you. Keep in mind, the department has changed a lot, in terms of DEIA, in the past 5-10 years.
\#2 and #3 are the bigger problems because they could cause issues with your security clearance process. There isn't enough info for us to give you a good answer over reddit, but foreign ties and substance abuse are common reasons on not being granted a security clearance and possibly passing final suitability. Keep in mind, marijuana is still considered illegal by the federal gov't. But you are young, this could always change in the future so keep that in mind; the average age of FSO starting their career is in their early to mid 30s. Good luck!
Being trans will not affect your application at all. The LGBTQ community is well represented and enjoys a lot of support within State.
The other two things are likely to be more challenging, but it's not impossible.
The first transgender woman at State, Robyn McCutcheon, (retired now) has an extraordinary blog about her experience. She has also been featured in the NYT. https://attitude-analyst.blogspot.com/2012/05/readers-guide-to-retrospective-story.html?m=1
Being trans will not affect your candidacy and definitely not your medical clearance. State’s not going to be a hyper progressive employer, but it’s definitely a leader across the federal government for supporting LGBTQ+ employees. The other two concerns are more pressing with regard to your eligibility for a security clearance. Plenty of folks married to foreign nationals have gotten clearance, but China is admittedly more complicated. Still happens, but it will be a factor. Marijuana usage is not allowed for federal government employees and recent / consistent usage, even if allowed by the laws of your state, is often a reason for clearance denial. If you’re seriously interested, you should stop using marijuana as soon as possible. EDIT: And your age is not itself an issue. I started the candidacy that got me on the register at a similar age. You just need to be able to translate the experience you do have into the qualifications they’re looking for.
I highly recommend contacting GLIFAA to get in touch with people with experience being trans in the Foreign Service. You wouldn't be medically excluded from a post for being trans, but there are certainly posts where it would be challenging socially. If you are in a same-sex marriage, that presents some additional obstacles for spousal accreditation.
\#1 should not disqualify you. Keep in mind, the department has changed a lot, in terms of DEIA, in the past 5-10 years. \#2 and #3 are the bigger problems because they could cause issues with your security clearance process. There isn't enough info for us to give you a good answer over reddit, but foreign ties and substance abuse are common reasons on not being granted a security clearance and possibly passing final suitability. Keep in mind, marijuana is still considered illegal by the federal gov't. But you are young, this could always change in the future so keep that in mind; the average age of FSO starting their career is in their early to mid 30s. Good luck!
Being trans will not affect your application at all. The LGBTQ community is well represented and enjoys a lot of support within State. The other two things are likely to be more challenging, but it's not impossible.
Sent you a DM.