I’m considering not walking at graduation ceremony for being treated like a girl
For context I am 18, trans ftm, and have been on testosterone for over a year and have had top surgery.
I have a gender neutral name but an obviously female middle name. A friend warned me that they would announce our full legal names for graduation so I emailed our principal to confirm because I don’t want to be addressed with a female name to my entire class and town, especially a middle name which is completely irrelevant. Principal said yes, they would announce our middle names, but I could request them not to *with* a note from parents.
The note part is where i’m not sure. I’m 18, I don’t feel I should need parental consent to not be exposed to everyone. I reminded her of this and said “If I’m 18 can I just opt out myself?”, which she said no to. The thing is, there’s literally no requirement to announce my middle name. There’s no reason for anyone to hear that. Im considering not walking over this, just out of principle.
I’m already irritated with how i’ve been treated lately. For senior mock elections I was listed under the girls election. I immediately emailed the office to have myself removed completely which they obliged, but still left my name in the first category so I was still refferred to as a girl to anyone who voted. As I said before, I’ve been medically transitioning both hormonally and surgically for over a year, so it’s no secret. I have a full five o clock shadow.
It wouldn’t be that hard to get a note, but I’m so sick of being treated like property. I’m a legal adult, and I feel really irritated at the idea of getting permission from someone to not be exposed to an entire gym full of classmates and strangers. I could just get over and get a note but I hate the idea of submitting to this.