Facebook: new account after coming out?

[Clever]

Hi everyone,

Just trying to get some opinions about how folks have handled Facebook after coming out. Did you simply change your name on your current page? Did you make a new page entirely? Did you delete old photos of yourself? Keep them?

Thanks for your input!

[Promethea]

I just made an announcement for those that didn't already know or who weren't close enough for coming out one on one, and then changed the name on that account. But I'm not uncomfortable with my past being my past.

The funny thing is that a few people missed the announcement, and unfriended me because they had no idea who I was, until later they saw something on a shared group or on their timeline that they knew I had posted and then added me back.

I used to have a different account with my new name, for different reasons, since before accepting I was trans and not some flavour of androgynous. I had to make another announcement on that account, telling people why I was now adding then on a different account.

[AndrewB]

I may be the odd exception but I just came out and left my Facebook page be, just changed my name and gender. The pictures don't bother me much, as I hardly recognise the old me from the new me after all the weight loss, T effects, and fresh hairstyles. When I enter college in the fall I might make a group of friends (how you can sort them and stuff into like, "best friends" and such) and see if I can't only allow people that knew me pre-transition to view old posts, pics, etc, so that way if I want to go stealth to some people, I have the option. I guess it's really just dependent on how you view your past, as a learning experience, past life, or as something to hide, all of which I can understand.

[LordKAT]

I only ever had one account and never post pics. I was told you are only allowed one name change. I think if you do change, you may want to have your legal name change done already. As to pics, I think you can change them if you want but they will still be viewable if someone really wants to see them. The decision then rests on if you want the pics associated with your old name.

[Jennygirl]

1) Closed down my old account and took a break from facebook to focus on myself (sans social commentary)
2) Transitioned to the point where I was starting to be happy with my "look" (about 2 months full time under the belt)
3) Started a fresh account
4) Only added people I'd talked to personally about my transition, held off on all other friend requests until I had talked to them
5) Lived happily ever after and posted freely without judgement or anxiety

A key thing for me was the only adding people I'd talked to thing. It really made me feel free about posting stuff there. I did not have a worry in the world whether someone was going to be unsupportive. It took me a while to reconnect with some friends who thought I'd gone from the face of the planet, but it was just that much more spectacular when I got back in touch with them.

[iKate]

1) Closed down my old account and took a break from facebook to focus on myself (sans social commentary)
2) Transitioned to the point where I was starting to be happy with my "look" (about 2 months full time under the belt)
3) Started a fresh account
4) Only added people I'd talked to personally about my transition, held off on all other friend requests until I had talked to them
5) Lived happily ever after and posted freely without judgement or anxiety

A key thing for me was the only adding people I'd talked to thing. It really made me feel free about posting stuff there. I did not have a worry in the world whether someone was going to be unsupportive. It took me a while to reconnect with some friends who thought I'd gone from the face of the planet, but it was just that much more spectacular when I got back in touch with them.

I did almost exactly this.

I also restricted my friends preferences to "friends of friends." Anyone who wants to add me can message me and I'll add them or let down the shields.

Unfortunately when I left it open I had way too much attention on my facebook page. I got like 20 friend requests a day from strange men who I don't know. And believe me, some of them are really bold!

So now it's mostly my colleagues, my relatives, and people who I have talked to IRL or on here and other forums who I know are supportive.

And I rarely ever post trans stuff. Maybe once in a while when I find something really interesting. Nobody brings it up either. I did chronicle my journey in Korea for VFS. However it seemed like mostly a tourist trip.

People who know, know, and I am not afraid to tell them. I'm just not putting every detail on social media.

I also control when people tag me and stuff that appears in my news feed.

[KristinaM]

I'm currently running two different Facebook accounts.  As I add friends to the new one, I remove them from the old one.  But I only had about 40 friends to start with so that may not be feasible for everyone.  And it's locked down about as tight as it can be, Friends Only this, that, and the other.

[Mariah]

I had 2 accounts for a short time, but eventually closed the old account. I told people privately on facebook and then at the end of the old account everyone who was left on there. As I added to the new account they were removed from the old. It's up to you and what you feel comfortable doing though as to how you handle it. Each of us has handled it differently. Hugs
Mariah

[Clever]

Thanks everyone for your input!