JD Vance isn’t a real name, and that’s cool. Apparently.
Everybody is fine with celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg making up fake names for themselves, but when someone chooses a name for themselves to suit their gender identity it's suddenly a problem
Submitted 2 weeks ago by FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca to showerthoughts@lemmy.world
Comments
miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
kelpie_returns@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Ted Cruz is, afaik, not using a pseudonym, but he is a literal Oogie Boogie (see; a writhing mass of bugs wrapped in a pseudo-skin) and nobody seems to have a problem with that either
klemptor@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
Not to defend Ted Cruz, but I have a friend named Ted, short for Edward. It’s not unheard of.
Jarix@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Shake my head, or so much hate?
I recently learned a new definition for SMH and now I don’t know if I’m reading it correctly
railway692@piefed.zip 2 weeks ago
JD Vance sounds like one of those kids that jumps out of tall grass to challenge you to a Pokémon battle.
Akasazh@feddit.nl 2 weeks ago
His name is James Donald Bowman, and I will deadname him every chance I get.
procrastitron@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I feel silly now for not realizing that was a stage name.
I straight up thought her actual name was “Whoopi”.
shalafi@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
About every actor or actress you’ve ever heard of is using a stage name. I forget the rules, but the name has to be unique, never used before. Acting guild thing? I forget.
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Not really.
The people who have an issue with that, don’t have an issue with Rafael Cruz making up a white name.
They just don’t like people transitioning.
You’re implying transphobia is a common view.
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The people who have an issue with that, don’t have an issue with Rafael Cruz making up a white name.
Nobody is mad at Ted for changing his name. Folks are mad at him for pulling the rope up now that his family is here “legally”, then trying to white wash his identity so you don’t question him on it.
You’re implying transphobia is a common view.
It absolutely is. And it used to be a lot worse. Took a lot of people coming out at risk of their lives and livelihoods before we reached even this level of support for transgender civil rights.
rumschlumpel@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
You’re implying transphobia is a common view.
It’s not?
givesomefucks@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Of course not…
latimes.com/…/lgbtq-trans-people-american-support…
I think you might be confusing our political system for a democratic one…
A minority of the populace voted for what’s happening these days. The majority of people just don’t give a shit, they’re fine with people living how they want.
It’s an important distinction, because the bigots always want the targeted minority to view all of the majority as an enemy.
If battle lines are just “bigots” vs “non bigots” then the bigots lose every fucking time. That’s why they always try to make it “majority” vs “minority”, dont let them do that. And definitely don’t help them do that with posts like OPs and comments like yours
Don’t get outsmarted by stupid fucking bigots. A lot depends on it now.
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have an issue with Raphael Cruz making up a white name.
ArmchairAce1944@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
Historically they didn’t give a fuck about a lot of things until they are searching for reasons to hate someone or a group of people.
Take drag performance… drag is an ANCIENT tradition in Western theater that goes back into Ancient Greece. Name a comedian active in the black and white film era and I will show you a drag performance they made. Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, they all did it, and exactly no one told them it was wrong.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
even the services did drag, until it became too much associated with trans people.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
this dint start until conservatives,right wing groups started pushing the anti-trans narrative. which was pretty recent, like within 5-10years.
FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
It is pretty arbitrary which names we consider masculine and which names we consider feminine. On Big Brother Canada, there was a man named Hope. A man named Ashley works as a writer for Marvel Studios.
Ageroth@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
And we cannot forget one of the best comedy actors of all time, Leslie Neilson
ristoril_zip@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
If you know anyone who is anti trans but goes by a nickname, start calling them by their given name. Doug, you’re Douglas. Alex, you’re Alexander or Alexis or whatever. Bill: William. Ted: Rafael (might only apply to one Senator).
DreamAccountant@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
…and if they go by their full name, Robert, add some extra on,Roberts, or take some off, Ro. Mispronounce their name badly, Lobert. Say their name in another language that they don’t like, Roberto.
It’s not cool to fuck with people’s names. You should be called what you want to be called. Unless they won’t stop doing it to other people in bad taste. Then fuck them, at least until they finally get it.
Darleys_Brew@lemmy.ml 1 week ago
I thought Ted was short for Edward.
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I think having a cute stage name is something people accept after you’re famous.
I’m gonna come in with maybe an unpopular hot take. I have no problems people being trans or choosing a name that suits your preferred gender, but–perhaps because of the repression earlier in life–it seems like the transition and name choice spout an… aggressively creative search for names?
I know about 8 MtF people (0 FtM for some reason?), and they are not picking mainstream names like Mary, Samantha, or Norah for example. Eris, Athena, Cybelle, Malice, and Laika are 5 of the 8 names chosen. It’s not a problem, you pick it and I will use it, but it IS jarring. I’m not making excuses for transphobia because that’s stupid, but it is strange to me to ostensibly want to blend in with everybody else, but then choose a name that obviously marks you out? It’s like the line between choosing a name for your heroine DND character and for yourself is suddenly completely erased and it’s absolutely your right, but as an outsider it’s honestly kinda weird.
I support a parents right to pick names for their kids, but aeslyn and breeleigh and brandaeden are weird names. Same for people who pick their own names regardless of gender identity, but if you pick a name that is kinda weird… well it’s kinda weird.
Furbag@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Coming up with a stage name is usually something that agents will tell their clients to do if their name sounds “too ethnic”. Happens when they are auditioning for roles, not when they get famous.
Random fact I heard the other day: Leonardo DiCaprio almost sent out headshots with a stage name at the advice of his agent, but his dad talked him out of it and told him to be proud of his name. I forget what they told him his stage name should be, but it was way more generic and forgettable than his real name.
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Dang, we could have had Longboy DiCaprio. Or like Lyman or something.
Pupscent@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
What a silly argument. The name has to be on the list that you feel is an appropriate name for what ever gender were talking about. I feel you are perpetuating the problem.
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
So change your name to pupscent IRL.
You or anyone else can change their names to anything you want anytime. However, you can’t force people to like it.
Sure, if you want dream_weasel to like it, you can ask for the approved list. If you want to name yourself General Buttfuckingnaked you absolutely can, but if people don’t like it that’s YOUR problem. It isn’t trans insensitive to be weirded out by you naming yourself Incestte.
Tonava@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
If you pick a name that is kinda weird… well it’s kinda weird.
As a transperson with a weird name; I picked mine because I have never fit in, and instead of causing a desire to fit in, it made angry (but that might be because I am autistic as well, who knows). Choosing an unique name was kind of a middle finger and a final stamp of refusing to conform, if that makes any sense. If I’m not accepted anyway then I sure as hell am going to do whatever the fuck I want with my name and identity
dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
It makes a ton of sense actually.
To make sure the line you quoted is giving you the right impression what AI mean to say is if you pick a weird name well then it’s a weird name, not that it’s weird to pick it. You can’t guarantee everyone will like any name you pick no matter who you are, and you sure can’t force them to.
HeartyOfGlass@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Change your name to make yourself more palatable to a wider audience? Good.
Change your name to make yourself more palatable for yourself? Bad, apparently.
ArmchairAce1944@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
Pen names are ancient, too. Mark Twain? Real name is Samuel Clements. Charles Dickens used the pen name Boz for some reason, and Stephen King used multiple pen names, especially early in his career.
Simulation6@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Uh, Boz was the illustrator for Dickens.
thermal_shock@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
And still affects no one. People bitching about stuff that has literally nothing to do with them worrying about everyone else’s genitals.
BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
They don’t seem to mind that JD Vance has had a bunch of different names.
BigPotato@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I would call myself JD too if my parents named me Jerkin Dapenis as well.
Wiz@midwest.social 2 weeks ago
“JV Dunce”
Pupscent@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Or that he’s referred to a JD.
Darleys_Brew@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Tommy Robinson, JK Rowling …give me a bit, I’ll think of more.
betanumerus@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
all businesses choose a fake name to suit their identity
Those who have a problem with transgender people are arrogant egotistical manics trying to manage others into a lower class with less rights than they have.
Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
What about people who have a problem with society moving quicker than science or medicine allows?
What is it about the trans community and talking in absolutes so often? I would think that trans people would be a more skeptical bunch but they are the ones banning people for asking clarifying questions on platforms like lemmy.
LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
What do you mean by society moving quicker than science? Transgender people have existed before most scientific advancements. They existed in ancient Greece, they exist in Norse Mythology… They were persecuted in several government systems in the past such as Germany, they have always been here. It’s just that social media and the Internet brings more information to people than ever before. So instead of never having met a trans person in your life more people are being introduced to them than ever before. Which also means some people who may have never understood what was going on with themselves and why they felt so different than the boxes society around them was placing them into. I know I’m a guy, I was born one and have always been one. If you look at Women’s athletics, say the Olympics you will see many women that have naturally occuring high levels of testosterone that may be higher than your average male. You will also find men who have extremely low testosterone. So scientifically I see it as a blend that the hormones in our bodies have naturally created showing that what we define as man, and woman doesn’t encompass everything. Only when we try to put someone in a group do we start to think that there is something abnormal about a person having higher or lower testosterone. Then you can get into the facet of sexual parts. 1.7/100 people are born with intersexual traits. If we say a person has to be a man or a woman, then there is a 1.7% chance a person doesn’t fit into either box at birth. I see no reason that person shouldnt be able to live a happy life, not be treated the same as everyone else around them.
I’m not a trans person, I am not well educated on all of it because it isn’t something I had to educate myself on. But using that number there, scientifically there were 5.78 million people in the U.S. that were born outside the box of Man or Woman. To put that into perspective, 28 of the 50 states have less people in them, than the number of people born with intersex traits.
So when someone downplays them and acts like they shouldn’t exist, maybe it’s easier to look at it as saying all of a U.S. state shouldn’t exist simply because they were born there.
thermal_shock@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Damn, never thought about the fake ass job titles lol. I don’t even care what mine is. Good point. It’s all made up bullshit like country borders, people killing each other stepping over an invisible line.
TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Actors and Actresses have to register their name with a guild and sometimes change it because it is too close to another previos actor’s name.
So to just skip that problem they make up a registered stage name. Not that it lends anymore authenticity but rather there is a structural professional reason that they do that.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
i suspect its more of hiding thier nepotism.
funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
the vast majority of actors probably earn less than four figures a year.
Harvey656@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
This one is a hard one, as a cis-gender male, I don’t go by my real name. If someone calls me by my birth name I wouldn’t even know they were referring to me.
I think its more to do with gender rather than names, that and the will to be cruel, of course.
faythofdragons@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Yeah, I go by my middle name and nobody thinks it’s weird.
Harvey656@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The only people that call me by my middle name are my… estranged family. So its sort of an insult in a way. Weird how that works out.
Vandals_handle@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Going back a ways bigots had a problem with both Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) and Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) but were fine with John Wayne (Marion Morrison).
yermaw@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Not a gender-identity thing, but I met my best friend when I was 12. We didnt have any classes together so I never heard his name called out in the register.
Wasn’t until we were having a drink at 18 that I realised I didnt actually know his real name.
Aljernon@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
The name is never the problem, it’s that the person with the name exists that people get so butt hurt about
C4551E@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Don’t make the mistake of assuming the stances they take and the words they use are genuine arguments given in good faith. They will manipulate language and make claims just to achieve their own ends. They don’t care about consistency. There is no goalpost they won’t move. You can’t convince them they are wrong using words.
vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
chooses a name
Whoopi
thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Does it ever make you think that when her parents were having sex that one fateful night, they would later be able to look back upon it and say that they were making Whoopi?
ieGod@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Gotta hand it to her, it’s done wonders for recognition. No one’s mistaking the name.
paequ2@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
I recently learned that Charlie Sheen’s birth name is Carlos Irwin Estévez.
kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Yep, he adopted the stage name of his father, Martin Sheen (Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez).
teft@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
tetris11@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
paequ2@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
LOL! Emilioooooooo!
BurgerBaron@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Stage names are common for marketing something catchy. Book author aliases too.
FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
JK Rowling used her initials because the publisher thought the books would sell better under a less feminine name. She now uses an even more masculine pen name for her detective novels. There’s nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but it’s kind of hypocritical given her outspoken anti-trans viewpoints.
cosmicrookie@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’ve never encountered or noticed this problem that you mention.
I can’t even see an issue with choosing a name that suits their gender, whatever that may be…
Is this really such a big deal irl?
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Its okay to have a different name as long as your conservative.
Just ask Rafael Edward Cruz, famous Texas Magician who disappears everytime things go bad for his constituents.
Nomorereddit@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
I was only ok with the fake name of Guynan.
Whoopi suck. Guyana, helped picard saved humanity.
ZiemekZ@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The main difference is that nobody considers referring to Whoopi Goldberg as Caryn Elaine Johnson a hate crime.
DreamAccountant@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The only people that have a problem with people changing gender is religious people that think that a fictional god assigned them a gender at birth, because their god knows and controls everything, so can never, ever, ever, ever be wrong about anything. Ever. Like a person’s gender. So they hate everyone that questions their fictional hate book. Because it takes them a lot of work to live in that weird, fictional religious reality they want to so badly.
WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
That’s the problem.
Gender change is a premium feature, how dare ypu, peasant!
MithranArkanere@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
And it’s not something new or anything like that. There are lots of cultures through history in which people choose their own names or alternate names throughout their life for a variety of reasons.
hakunawazo@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
TIL it was a fart joke.
n3m37h@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
This one doent understand stage names, it is to protect their identity. It isnt an expression of their gender.
Think before you speak.
princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
🔥🔥🔥
AshCircuit@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
There are only 2 genders
kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I think the issue is people getting hung up on the gender identity, not the name. I have known lots of people who go by preferred names, whether chosen themselves or given to them by friends as nicknames. Hell, there are a few people I knew for years only by their preferred name/nickname without realizing it wasn’t their given name.
And stage names make a lot of sense from a practical standpoint. Being famous by your given name can make it hard to separate professional life from personal life.
neoman4426@fedia.io 2 weeks ago
Don't know if it's the case in her situation, but there's also the thing with stage names where Guild rules require names to be unique. Like Michael J. Fox's middle name is actually Andrew. There was already a Michael Fox on the books so couldn't use that, Andrew or Andy Fox didn't feel right, and Michael A. Fox felt presumptuous (Michael, a fox. Fox having recently come into play as a synonym for attractive) or Canadian (Michael Eh? Fox)
Prestron@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
This is why in The Simpson you will see David S. Cohen and in Futurama he is David X. Cohen. I think in a Futurama commentary he told about confusion in a guild or royalty payments that made him change how he was credited.
FireRetardant@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
100% agree. If whoopi goldberg had chose their name for gender purposes, i could see them getting hate and being told it’s a stupid reason etc.