When I left Mormonism, I
had some issues with my name. The person I was originally named at birth
is a prophet in The Book of Mormon, a book I now believe to be fictitious.
Also, my middle name is my father's first name and since transitioning
out of Mormonism and journeying as a soul in this world, I've not gotten
along with my father all that well. Anyway, at the end of 2004 I finally
began to look into changing my name to something different. As many of
you know, I am quite aberrant regarding gender expression and so I reciprocally
wanted to choose a name that was breaking the gender bounds, yet was simultaneously
a strong, courageous name. I chose “Olympia.” I'd heard the name before
in places and several other names crossed through my consideration before
I decided on it. Also, at the end of 2004, while browsing through the library
room of the house I'm in, I stumbled upon a book on the meaning and significance
of names and also found Olympia therein. Since the beginning of 2005, I’ve
been going by Olympia in the intentional community I'm in and it’s grown
on me well. I’ve also now begun using it at school, church, and elsewhere.
A note of additional
encouragement lately was at the Earth Day celebration I attended in late
April of 2005. I attended a seed saving workshop after much interaction
with the woman teaching the workshop, after the class, people were exchanging
names and thanks and when she heard my name, she said, "Oh course!" In
moments such as that, I know that I've chosen the right name.
And so if we happen to
cross paths when out and about, my name is now Olympia. If you forget now
and again, I will understand, for switching gears in one's brain regarding
names can be an understandably difficult thing.
I'm almost done getting
my name and gender changed everywhere in my life. For the benefit of others
who may want to change their name and gender without going through the
courts, I have posted all of my endeavors thus far to: http://www.olympiatveter.com/.
