What's in a name?

Sitting here thinking about what I'll next write about: I was planning an Instagram post about names but I know that when we think about names and naming ceremonies, we tend to assume we're talking about babies and what's traditionally seen as a Christening ceremony.

Wow, that was a long sentence!

Now, I'm a non-denominational celebrant, meaning that I do not perform religious ceremonies. What I do, goes against the traditional grain and I'm sure many people will have an opinion opposed to my own about the solemnity of my ceremonies. I take them very seriously, I assure you.

Reverting back to the topic I attempted to open with: names and naming ceremonies.

In 2021’s census, 262,000 people stated that the gender they identified with at the time, did not match that of the sex they were assigned at birth. That's 262,000 people who found themselves in charge of their own identity.

For those among us who are using their imagination to put ourselves into these people's shoes: imagine having the biggest possible event of your life happening and whispering it to your friends! Why shouldn't these brave people shout proudly of their new lives?

We proclaim soundly about our weddings, our babies and we share grief in death, but should we not also be declaring and celebrating gender transition? After all, what is transition if not a change in direction?

Times are changing, people are changing and how exciting! Shall we have a party?