980: Sister Was Wild — Should You Adopt Her Child? | Feedback Friday

Identity Changes

Navigating personal identity changes can be a complex journey, especially for transgender individuals. Gabriel Mizrahi shares a listener's experience of transitioning and the challenges faced with family acceptance and name changes. The listener expresses the emotional labor involved in potentially having to "deadname" themselves to reconnect with past contacts. Jordan Harbinger explains deadnaming as using a transgender person's birth name, which can be emotionally taxing. 1 2

Deadnaming is when you call a transgender person by their birth name when they've changed their name as part of their transition, which apparently can bring up some very tough feelings.

--- Jordan Harbinger

The discussion highlights the importance of personal choice in handling name transitions and the potential need to educate others on the significance of using one's chosen name.

   

Embracing Authenticity

Embracing authenticity is a powerful step towards empowerment, as Noelle Soncrant illustrates through her experiences. She advises giving grace to those who may unintentionally use a dead name, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding. Noelle's story of connecting with another transgender individual highlights the strength found in visibility and mutual support. 3 4

You are strong and brave for being your authentic self. There's no shame in this.

--- Noelle Soncrant

Her insights encourage surrounding oneself with supportive people and participating in LGBTQ-focused events to build confidence and community.