Shakespeare asked "What's in a name?" I'm wondering that myself. Most trans people choose a name and I've read a lot of comments about 'How I chose my name,' from a lot of trans people, but what does it do to one's psyche to adopt another persona? It's not just about taking a name. One takes an identity along with it. And what I've felt is that the result may not be in our best interests. It forces a kind of schizophrenia (and I mean that in the clinical sense, as a split between reality and fantasy.) And it reinforces the division of gender roles. I sometimes think I should not have done it. I should have stayed George and been free to present myself however I like. And then there's the matter of acting the part. I've done some acting and I know that nothing gets one into the part so much as putting on the costume. When I'm Bobbi I become 'the other.' My wife even tells me I'm a different person then. My kids too. And even my 4 year old grandson now knows who Bobbi is and that she's different from Grandpa. But what does this name shifting do to us?

I have set up this space in the hope of establishing a dialogue with those who identify as transgendered or any other term that is associated with the phenomena of feeling out of sync with the gender identified at one's birth. This space is also open to those who are interested in this subject though they themselves may not fit the definition. The space is meant as a place for serious discussions of many of the issues associated the transgender phenomena (and please don't be offended by the choice of words, as that in itself is one of the issues.)

 

From time to time I will post a comment or question and my own thoughts and invite (encourage) others to respond. My sincere hope is that together we might come closer to working through some of these matters--if not for other, at the very least for ourselves.

 

Welcome!