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.

Hi There!

It's inspirational to hear how far you've come in a relatively short amount of time. Congrats!

Good, now I don't have to spell out your long username again
Serious part: identifying yourself is an important step, and often a difficult one. People are named at birth, and just have to deal with it. With us, our names don't match our genders. Often times, we want to change them, and it's a difficult choice, as the majority of people don't choose their own names.

Well this is going to take some time getting used but I understand changing your choice of names for yourself. I was set on like 4 or 5 different names before I decided Amelia/Amy was right for me.

Welcome to Susan's Gwynne!

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Amy

Gwynne, when I came here, I went by Tracey. When I changed my name to Devlyn, I left Tracey in parentheses on my avatar for awhile to avoid confusion.  It didn't work, I'm as confused as ever........ <wandering off muttering>

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on October 18, 2013, 10:12:09 PM
I'm as confused as ever........ <wandering off muttering>

So... what's new?

Amy

Hi Gwynne,

Really happy for you that you were able to find a name that you feel comfortable with. 

Ok, Gwynne it is then. 

Do you still have a death ray?

Quote from: JenSquid on October 19, 2013, 01:20:01 AM
Ok, Gwynne it is then. 

Do you still have a death ray?

Thanks for your support, Jen!

I lent the death ray to Jenny07, but retain formal ownership. It's a conditional endowment with strict conditions. In it's absence, I've been working on a muffin ray--much less violent and much higher in carbohydrates.

I like blueberry muffins. They're quite tasty.

I like that name - Gwynne

Nice! and a new welcome to you.

As for Devlyn, Tracey, whoever - I have called her A-you for ages

Gwynne - I like it! I haven't quite worked out what I want people to call me yet, it's complicated as I'm "more fluid than water" according to my friends! I'm Harry because it's similar to my birth name (Hannah) but I can understand the need to separate from that. I dunno...I started by telling people that Harry's short for Hannah and then that I like it cos it's pretty unisex, I'd say. But most people call me Hannah and I'm fine with that, as I said, it's complicated. But you know, ho hum, or whatever!