Marty Robitaille’s journey to becoming his true self didn’t begin with a grand revelation. It started with a simple questionnaire, a quiet moment of honesty, and the realization that he could finally embrace who he truly was.
Robitaille, 50, is one of the Assistant Managers of Food Services at Waypoint, where he has worked since 2005. The Penetanguishene native’s career has taken many forms — from working in local family businesses to immersing himself in food service. He acquired his Food Service Worker certificate in 2009, and completed Food Service and Nutrition Management training in 2012. And while his professional growth was steady, his personal journey was still unfolding.
The turning point came during a Safer Spaces training session here at Waypoint in 2018. It included a brief questionnaire encouraging folks to reflect on sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
“It was a little simple piece of paper with pictures and lines with binary sides of female and male,” he recalled. “I thought, ‘I’m going to answer this as truthfully as I can. No one’s going to see it. It’s just for me.’”
Marty Robitaille, Assistant Manager, Food Services
At the time, Robitaille was still presenting as a lesbian woman: “I was never a girly girl. When it came down to how I identified, it was always more masculine. My answers weren’t very surprising, and that truthful reflection opened my eyes to possibility.”
Almost three years later, while at home with his partner, Robitaille voiced the truth he had been holding inside. “I want to transition,” he told her.
Waypoint played a role in opening that door.
“I had seen people transition in my life and I thought, ‘That’s great for them.’ I couldn’t do it. After that training and filling out that little form, I took it home, sat with what it meant to me for a long time, and decided this is who I am and this is what I need to do.”
Marty Robitaille, Assistant Manager, Food Services
By the summer of 2021, Robitaille started weekly testosterone injections. Due to the pandemic, masks covered his early facial hair, but his deepening voice was noticeable: “Staff members here at Waypoint kept telling me I sounded sick. That’s when I decided I needed to share my truth.”
Robitaille was initially unsure how colleagues would react. But when he confided in his department manager and other co-workers, they responded warmly. An announcement during a team huddle was soon followed by an outpouring of quiet support.
“Staff members were quietly nodding and smiling. Honestly, I don’t recall what I said or any other specific reactions. I think I blacked out — it was a pretty monumental moment in my life. One person in particular came to me afterward and offered support with ‘anything you may need.’ I appreciated their unexpected showing of kindness.”
Each milestone of Robitaille’s transition has helped improve his confidence and joy, even as his personal journey has unfolded alongside his professional one. His career at Waypoint has spanned two decades, beginning with working as a Food Service Associate in the main kitchen and Oak Ridge, before moving into a supervisor role and, eventually, his current position. The Food Services team of nearly 60 people prepares more than 1,000 meals per day, runs the Atrium Canteen, and oversees catering and special events like the annual Staff and Patient Summer Barbecue. He thrives on the variety and pace of the job.
“I put my hands in everything, because I like variety. I enjoy working with the team. No two days are alike.”
Today, as both a leader in his field and a role model for authenticity, Robitaille has advice for others who find themselves on a similar journey.
“Reach out to community supports, in person or online. There are doctors in the area who are trained to work with the trans and non-binary community — turn to them for medical support,” he said. “And if you’re thinking about it, then you already have your answer. Cis people I’ve spoken to have never thought about it. Waiting only delays your opportunity for happiness within yourself.”
Marty Robitaille, Assistant Manager, Food Services
March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility – raising awareness about transgender people, celebrating the lives and contributions of transgender people and drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.
Waypoint is committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion, and cultivating an environment where patients receive culturally safe and supportive care and where staff can thrive regardless of their background.