In observance of Trans Awareness Week, the First Church UCC in Phoenix held on Saturday “What’s My Name,” an event where people of the transgender community shared the stories behind choosing a new name for themselves after transitioning.
Marshall Shore, project manager for the Arizona LGBT+ History Project, said most transgender people refer to their birth name as their “dead name.”
“It’s been really interesting to hear from people the reasons why they’ve chosen those names and the process,” Shore said. “It really is so empowering to hear people talk about how they’ve reforged an identity.”
For Ace Walton, being able to share the story behind Ace is important because he said most people only ask about his “real name,” or birth name, rather than the name he chose for himself.
“It’s not the question you should be asking,” Walton said. “I think that why my name is Ace is a lot more important than what I was born as.”
Walton began his story by saying the reason why his name is Ace is that he “doesn’t understand metaphors.”
He explained that throughout his childhood, the phrases “hold your horses, Ace” and “cool your jets, Ace” were often said to him by his grandfather and other adults who were trying to reign in his excitement. He said he took those phrases literally as a kid.
“Clearly that’s a family name, right?” Walton said he remembered thinking. “Why would (they) call me Ace if that wasn’t my name?”
Walton said the name Ace serves as a reminder to him to always be enthusiastic, engaged and excited.
“It’s really, really hard to be named Ace and be lazy,” Walton said. “But at the same time, it’s important to pace yourself and slow down and do things right.”
While Aubrey and Jordan Crisp shared the meaning behind their names at the event as well, they also spoke about their experiences together as transgender twin brothers.
After they came out as transgender to each other and to their family in 2010, they were disowned by their parents and faced homelessness.
“When we first came out, we knew it was gonna be scary, and we were terrified for the first seven months,” Aubrey Crisp said. “When we officially came out to the family, our family blew apart, so in 24 hours we had nothing.”
He added that he always tells other transgender people who are dealing with a similar situation to continue working toward their “happy ending” because there are people who can help with the process.
Because of what they experienced after coming out as transgender, the Crisps said they wanted to provide support for others who are struggling and now reach out to people online who have questions about transitioning or need someone to talk to.
The Crisps said they often preach about accepting people who are transgender because they believe that “acceptance saves lives.”
“If you see someone making fun of trans people (or) making fun of gender-neutral people online, speak up,” Jordan Crisp said. “Families accepting and supporting their children, their family members, that can mean the difference between life and death for these people.”
For questions, contact the reporter at cdilger@asu.edu.
