I’m about to start a new job working with a TRA and I’m nervous

The only people I've ever talked politics with at work were very very good friends. Politics have no place at work. Neither does religion.

In the charities sector you will need to have your game face well primed on this if you want your career to survive. Be prepared with a clean exit route out of this job if you need it. These men are baying for blood right now and if you are vulnerable they will find you and destroy you. Clean up your social media, and don’t say anything remotely about women’s rights to anyone. At least not while this guy is in a senior position to you.

Look, jobs are just jobs. Leave your true ‘self’ at home and play the game so you can make your living. I know it’s not fair - it never is. This man gets to bring his whole misogynistic self to work and flaunt his hatred of women all over the internet and you need to watch every word you say if you want to feed yourself. It’s just reality, you need to learn to play the game - not just on this issue either. I learned far too late and I’m still hopeless at it and my career is totally rubbish as a result.

Maya Forstater gave a word of caution like this in a recent interview and it surprised me but I also appreciated her realism and her understanding that not everyone can afford the risk to do what she did, even now. So unless you have a trust fund, or a very good plan C, just put your head down, watch, listen and say as little as possible.

I work with many TRAs ( they are all straight women being kind) and they all think I am one of them. I don't air my GC views or religious views in the workplace. There may come a time when I will, but not now.

Will your job involve working with him on neutral activities (i.e. not related to single-sex setrvices or whatever)? If so, can't you just keep your head down and minimise commumication with him? After all, you probably wouldn't discuss your voting intentions with him or your religious beliefs so why would you discuss this? Having said that, I do sympathise with you. This stuff is a minefield.

I would be starting a diary on day one, noting every single thing he says which suggests that he does not respect the sex based rights of women and LGB people

Islam is protected belief, and I suspect that being a TRA (in general terms) is protected. But, I also suspect that certain aspects of both Islam ("FGM is good, gay men should be in prison or killed") or TRA ("we need to end the sex based rights of women and LGB people") are not WORIADS and there is no more reason that you should be forced to listen to someone telling you that women don't deserve rights, than a gay man should be forced to tolerate a muslim colleague telling him homosexuality is illegal, and he will go to hell and should go to prison.

I wouldn't look for a new job but would try to minimise interaction if possible.

I would be concerned too.
i would aim to try and keep doing my job to the best of my ability and certainly would not aim to provoke in anyway.
i would be worried though that TRA’s are quite adept at noticing individuals who don’t believe and that would then lead to active pursuit and attempts to get me to state my position. Which then would require advanced level grey stoning to avoid it all blowing up. I would be able to keep my mouth shut professionally, though it would offend my integrity but I’m not sure a TRA would respond similarly.

Absolutely honestly? I would look for a way not to work with him, and if that isn't possible I would look for a new job. You won't change his mind and you will be stressed beyond belief trying to second-guess everything you ever say or do. That is the effect that this poisonous ideology has on organisations.

Why would your opionion on trans rights come up in the workplace? Can you not just treat him like anyone else?