I was assigned female at birth but I identify as genergueer / non-binary. I'm only out about this to my closest friends and they are being really supportive. However a few times I've got the question "Shouldn't you change name? I mean Elli is a GIRLS name" I don't feel like I have to change my name, I kinda like it actually. But maybe I should ask to be reffered to as Elliot or something else that's gender neutral instead. Would that make people take me more serious when it comes to my gender identity? What are your thoughts/experiences? c:
Be radical and stake a claim that names don't need to be gendered. If you like your name you like it, it doesn't say anything about your gender.
Yeah. What they said. ^^ ---------- Post added 30th Dec 2014 at 06:10 PM ---------- And personally, I think Elli seems kinda gender neutral. Perhaps because it makes me think of Elliot.
People often assume that non-binary people must be androgynous in what they call themselves and everything else even though it is a silly requirement. Go by the name you feel comfortable with and if that's your birth name go ahead.
I think it's ridiculous that there are things you "have" to do to be taken seriously :/ Really, there are no rules. Oh wait, there is one rule - do what makes you feel most comfortable as yourself. That's what this is all about. If you like your name, keep it. If down the road you want to change it, go for it. It's all up to you my friend!
totally your choice, there is not a "right" answer. When I was in college, I had a friend named Elliot. He was a straight male. We all called him "Elli" It was his nickname that all his friends called him. It wasn't meant to be anything like a girls name, it was just his nickname. everybody had one, and it definitely didn't have anything to do with having to get a legal name change. Mine was "Beanie," which wasn't at all related to my real name of "John." Somebody thought that I reminded him of the character from the "Beanie and Cecil" cartoon, and the name stuck.
I would only change your name if you want to change your name. I would not feel pressured by others to fit into their expectations of what a trans person should and should not do.
Perfectly worded. I'd only change your name if you are already uncomfortable with it on an internal level, in my opinion. If you already like your name, you don't need to change it over the thoughts and expectations of other people.
