View Message

I knew a Leslie in middle school. His only complaint about his name was the hard Z vs. soft S sound in the middle. He had a strong preference for one and it would drive him nuts when somebody used the other. Our science teacher used the “wrong” one all the time, and this normally nice, obedient kid always had huge behavioural problems in that class. I’m not sure if it was forgetfulness, arrogance or trolling on the teacher’s end, but he didn’t seem to even try. But the gendering of Leslie wasn’t a problem.

---

I went to school with a boy named Kelly Lynn (fn/ln) all through elementary and high school. We ran in different circles, (he was a popular kid) but I do know that he was often embarrassed by his name. I know he attempted suicide after high school. Obviously his name wouldn’t have caused that, but he was often more melancholy about it than angry. Whether that was a symptom of his personality or whether the hated name was a symptom of a disconnect at home, who knows? Probably had nothing to do with it at all.

---

I also had a high school friend who changed his name from Courtney to Lee when he transitioned FtM. Despite both names being technically unisex he felt Courtney was too feminine. It may also have been about shaking off the past.

This message was edited 8/4/2020, 6:01 AM