So I received a letter in the mail regarding my school's new policies for this year. Amongst other changes, students are now required to wear their ID card on them whilst at school.

The problem with this is that I haven't changed my name legally yet and my ultra-feminine name is basically a yell to the skies "HEY I'M TRANS". I'm really hoping to go stealth, I the last thing I want is to be called by something I'm not. I hate my name, just absolutely despise it, and this is a disaster, cause it means that everyone will refer to me by that awful name. And even if they don't, they won't consider me "a real man" if they find out my name isn't changed, As those are problems I've had in my school before.

I feel horrible, I'm not going to wear a gold star star on my forehead that reveals my past.

is there a chance you could talk to your counselor about allowing them to have your preferred name on your ID card?

Hi!

Well, that completely sucks.  My wife, an attorney, has suggested the following:

1) Contact the administration and request an accomodation.
2) Try for an expedited name change.
3) Lawyer up if the above fail.

Best of luck,
Jill

Totally sucks man. Eh, just cross it out and write underneath it your proper name.  Joking of coarse. 

Actually for me, not. "You don't need to see my identification." waving them off. I'd refuse to wear my ID card if I told I had to (yeah, not very good role model am I? shame on me for trying to lead you to the dark side with my rebellious ways).

Actually this applies everywhere for me, similarly being with all jobs I've held that required a nametag (friggin' retail), like first couple months at my job I wore my nametag, but once I felt I could get away without wearing it I stopped putting it on, its been sitting in my locker for what 9-10 months. I'm really surprised my boss never said anything about it. Not an issue with my name as with you since mine was changed long ago. But I have several gripes, first its no ones business what my name is unless they ask, then I have no problem with that, but can't stand when someone who doesn't know me comes up and refers to me by name as if they know me on some personal level. The other, the damn thing gets in my way while working. I look like I work there because I'm always working something out, and if they question me the usual question, "do you work here?" Yes, I do. Wha'dya need? They tell me, I help them, simple as that. No name tag needed.

But in your case, perhaps its a security issue, make sure only those that are supposed to be there are. Can't you talk to someone in charge about it?

@Megan: Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's a security issue, most of the school shootings since Sandy Hook have occurred in my state, so I think it's a way to make sure nobody who isn't a student can blend in.

@invisible: Yeah, that's what I'm going to try to do, hopefully at the open house I can clarify why I want it changed on my id card. I'm definitely not going to wear it with my birth name.

@Jill: I'm going to try to talk to the school administration or counselor, if anything, I can easily get a letter from my therapist if want hard proof of how this affects me. I doubt I'd be able to afford a lawyer though. What's an expedited name change? Can you really get it changed quicker? Mine might take longer because one of my parents live out of state, and I can't change my own name

Quote from: Xenguy on July 03, 2014, 05:08:39 PM
@Jill: I'm going to try to talk to the school administration or counselor, if anything, I can easily get a letter from my therapist if want hard proof of how this affects me. I doubt I'd be able to afford a lawyer though. What's an expedited name change? Can you really get it changed quicker? Mine might take longer because one of my parents live out of state, and I can't change my own name

When I was in college, I got into some pretty deep doo-doo.  It turned out that my university had an office with attorneys who gave free legal advice and representation with VERY reduced rates.   Since you're potentially going against the university, there may be a conflict of interest, but there are workarounds.

Expedited name changes can be granted depending on the state you live in and circumstances.

Quote from: Xenguy on July 03, 2014, 05:08:39 PM
@Megan: Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's a security issue, most of the school shootings since Sandy Hook have occurred in my state, so I think it's a way to make sure nobody who isn't a student can blend in.

@invisible: Yeah, that's what I'm going to try to do, hopefully at the open house I can clarify why I want it changed on my id card. I'm definitely not going to wear it with my birth name.

@Jill: I'm going to try to talk to the school administration or counselor, if anything, I can easily get a letter from my therapist if want hard proof of how this affects me. I doubt I'd be able to afford a lawyer though. What's an expedited name change? Can you really get it changed quicker? Mine might take longer because one of my parents live out of state, and I can't change my own name

i hope you can. my school has IDs too (because there is a daycare in the school) and i am allowed to have my preferred name on my ID so i hope the same goes for you.