Proceedings of the Global Conference on Gender Studies
Year: 2024
DOI:
[PDF]
Naming Myself: The Transformative Power of Naming in Gender Transition
Gaben Sanchez
ABSTRACT:
The process of transitioning is often perceived as a journey of self-discovery, encompassing various aspects of personal identity. Among these, the act of choosing a new name emerges as a pivotal and transformative step. Names, deeply embedded in cultural norms, are typically assigned at birth and classified into binary categories of “feminine” or “masculine.” However, for transgender individuals, naming becomes an act of self-authorship, crucial to both personal affirmation and societal navigation. This presentation, “Naming Myself: The Transformative Power of Naming in Gender Transition,” explores the complex and nuanced experience of renaming oneself during gender transition. Unlike the conventional practice of naming a child, this process involves a profound exercise in self-determination. It requires navigating a delicate balance between what or if to preserve one’s connections to the past and embracing a future aligned with one’s authentic self. The urgency imposed by societal expectations further complicates this journey, as individuals are often compelled to present a cohesive identity before they have had the opportunity to fully explore and define it. Through personal narrative and critical analysis, this presentation delves into the multifaceted dimensions of renaming during transition. It examines the emotional and social challenges of choosing a name that feels both empowering and resonant. The presentation also addresses the broader implications of naming as a form of resistance against societal norms that seek to constrain gender expression. This work highlights the resilience and agency required to navigate the deeply personal and public process of renaming. It argues that naming oneself is not merely about selecting a label but about reclaiming one’s identity and asserting autonomy in a world that often prescribes identities without consent. By sharing my own journey through various iterations of naming, I aim to shed light on the broader significance of this experience for transgender individuals and the transformative potential it holds for self-authorship and social recognition.
keywords: gender transition, naming, self-authorship, identity, transgender, social transition, agency