Dad Successfully Campaigns for Trans Son’s Chosen Name to Be Used at Graduation
May 14, 2019Brian Thomas, a dad in the US state of Indiana, has successfully launched a petition to get his trans son’s school to use his chosen name at his graduation ceremony.
Thomas’ son Wyatt transitioned three years ago, but his school is still refusing to use his new name.
“Teachers, pastors, managers, family and friends know him as a boy named Wyatt,” Thomas said.
“But at graduation, because of an unwritten standard the school administration is unwilling to change, he will be called by his dead name.
“What is meant to be a celebration will instead be yet another moment of humiliation and embarrassment.
“As Wyatt’s parents, we ask that our wishes be honored on behalf of our precious child.
“Call the name he will bear legally once the lengthy process of a name change is complete. Call him what his future university calls him.
“Call him what we and many others call him every day. Call him Wyatt.”
The petition gathered over 14,000 signatures and convinced the school to use Wyatt’s real name.
“Every organisation has policies, procedures, and guidelines that have historically served them well. However, no policy, procedure, or guideline is perfect or permanent,” the school district said in a statement.
“An organisation must be willing to listen and reevaluate its practices to ensure they continue to align with their broader mission, especially when the mission involves being a safe and open learning environment.”
“We are grateful the school took this request seriously and gave it the attention it deserves,” Thomas said upon hearing the decision.
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