Table of Contents
What does deadname someone mean?
To deadname someone is to call or refer to them by the name they no longer use, AKA their dead name. The former name is usually their birth name, from before their transition.
What is a death name?
Deadnaming is the use of the birth or other former name (i.e., a name that is “dead”) of a transgender or non-binary person without the person’s consent.
What is the symbol of transgender?
This table contains special characters.
Unicode name | symbol | Defined meaning |
---|---|---|
MALE AND FEMALE SIGN | ⚥ | Male and female; intersex; androgynous; hermaphrodite (in entomology) |
MALE WITH STROKE SIGN | ⚦ | Transgender |
MALE WITH STROKE AND MALE AND FEMALE SIGN | ⚧ | Transgender |
NEUTER | ⚲ | (none stated) |
Is it OK to call a transgender person by their non-affirmed name?
When you refer to a person who is transgender by their non-affirmed name, it can feel invalidating. It can cause them to feel like you don’t respect their identity, you don’t support their transition, or that you don’t wish to put forth the effort to make this necessary change.
Can I ask a trans person what their previous name was?
Don’t ask what their former name was if you don’t know. Many trans people refer to their previous name as a “deadname:” a name that is dead and no longer relevant to their life. When telling stories about someone in the past, use their current name and pronouns, or none at all. 3
Why is it important for a transgender person to change their name?
It can help a person who’s transgender and the people in their lives begin to see them as the gender they know themselves to be. It can also alleviate discomfort that may be associated with one’s old name. Unfortunately, many people may struggle to adhere to a trans person’s new, affirmed name.
How do you address a transgender person in a conversation?
Always use the name a person calls themself. Most transgender people prefer that you never mention their previous name. Even if you knew someone by a different name in the past, it’s not okay to drop that name in conversation. Don’t ask what their former name was if you don’t know.