Reply to Ellen Page announced new identity as Elliott Page

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Excellent and informative post, thank you. May I ask another question? It's going to sound stupid, but this is one of the things I am having trouble wrapping my mind around. The question involves the present trans identity versus the person we knew in the past as a non-trans person. If an adult declares himself/herself/theirself as transgender, whether that is the traditional or non-traditional presentation, does that have any uniform meaning in terms of their life up until that point? In reading about "deadnaming" and thinking about the traditional understanding of a Caitlyn Jenner model of a trans person, prior to transitioning, the trans person was living a life in pain, constrained by a gender assignment that did not match their true selves. But is that always true? Using Elliot as an example, was Elliot always Elliot? Did Elliot star in Juno because that is who Ellen really was?

It is easy for any normal, decent person to treat a trans person respectfully in the present. My struggle is processing a transgender identity in connection with past associations with the person before transition. I hope this isn't offensive, because it is not meant to be. [/quote]

You quoted me so I want to reply so you don't feel ignored, but I'm a cis hetero woman so I don't think I'm the right one to answer your question.  From my understanding on the outside though, I'd say that yes Elliot starred in Juno because essentially who Elliot is now is who he always was, just with a different name/outward identity. Remember there is the added nuance that the actor in Juno was, well, acting. I don't [i]think [/i] the concept of a name being dead means the person wants their past life to be dead too? That said,  I'd imagine there are some people who do want a concrete separation though?  Particularly if their former identity was associated with trauma? I think like most things in this discussion, there isn't a black and white answer.

I think the reconciliation of a past vs. present person is a really interesting conversation, not a stupid question at all.  I think about myself; let's say my older sister transitioned to a male, would I feel like I lost my childhood sister or would I think of him the same way I'd think of my sister if she was blonde for 30 years and then went brunette? I consider myself pretty liberal and accepting, but it's easier to accept a theoretical situation than to deal with the reality when it happens in your life.  I'm sure there are lots of books written by siblings in that exact situation. Or parents.

I hope someone with direct experience can chime in to answer your question. [/quote]

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