I wrote an introduction when I first arrived. I introduced myself as Madeleine. I wasn't sure of who I was or what I was going to do. I was timid and more than a little scared. I selected Madeleine as somewhat of a default because it's the best feminine analogue of my birth name. I thought that picking a name close to my existing name would help other people to get used to the idea and would make it easier for me to get used to hearing.
In the three months and nearly 1000 posts since writing that introduction, I've changed tremendously. I realize that, as I embark upon the formal process of transition, I need a clean break. I can't build a new identity for myself that hinges on staying as close as possible to my old identity. It wasn't working for me or for some of the people close to me.
I've worked through a tremendous amount of confusion, come to terms with what I need to do, and given a lot of thought to the new identity I want to manifest. One decision that I've made to help find this distance is adopting a different name. I made this decision about 2 weeks ago and have been a little afraid to announce it on the board. After all, when people come to know you by one name, is it fair to ask them to start referring to you by a different name? Wait ... that doesn't really make any sense, does it??? That seems like an irrational concern here.
And so I am writing to re-introduce myself. My name is Gwendolyn Mia Jennelle. Please call me Gwynne.
