As Elliot Page Comes Out, We Can All Learn A Lesson in “Dead Naming”
Why birthnames are transphobic.
A common trend occurs when a celebrity comes out as transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming. News outlets, vying for our eyes amidst the internet kerfluffle, will use that person’s birth name to lure readers in.
This invalidating habit is called “deadnaming” and it is as lazy as it is offensive.
On a heartfelt Instagram post, Elliot Page came out for the second time in his life. “Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they, and my name is Elliot.”
The media was quick to spread the news. Which was met with ample support and transphobic headlines. Seeing Elliot’s birthname used as bait to intrigue readers — rather than his actual name — showcases that our culture is still not listening to the transgender community. We are happy to sensationalize trans people for monetary gain. We work hard to appear inclusive so consumers won’t boycott products. Yet, as a society, we continue to barely graze the surface when it comes to true inclusion and understanding.
Why Are Birthnames Transphobic?
A deadname is “the name that a transgender person was given at birth and no longer uses upon…
