Oliver
is Jude your given name? or did you choose it?
Oliver’s question reaches my phone while I’m walking to my next class. Fortunately, both of today’s classes are in the samebuilding, so I have nearly twenty minutes to kill before the class doors even open. I find a spot in the hallway outside of the classroom, plop my bag down, and sit cross-legged on the floor.
Jude
that’s not a dumb question
I picked it
Oliver
nice it’s genuinely awesome
Jude
thanks I’m surprised you didn’t know that tbh
I haven’t changed it legally though so my deadname is on most of my paperwork and assignments
Oliver
oh that’s a bummer
I’m pretty sure you can talk to your professors and they can use whatever name you prefer
Jude
nah, it’s not worth the hassle
trust me, it just makes things difficult
Oliver
I don’t think it would be that hard
but it’s your call of course
I think you deserve to be seen for who you are, not just what your paperwork says you are
Jude
you’re sweet
Oliver
I’m just honest
but again, it’s your life, and if you don’t want to deal with it, that’s your choice too
just know that if you ever need help or support or whatever, I’m here for you
Jude
thanks Oliver it means a lot
Oliver
