School won't allow FTM student to have chosen name in Yearbook. (Watch full video)

[madisnyder66217]

hay Ryan! you look great ^_^ how old are you? ;D

[theyoungzebra]

Be like- Bitch, my name is Ryan.

Get over it.

haha

[lawlztisme]

I know this has long passed, but that's fucking ridiculous. :/ That's even worse than the time that they consistently spelled mine wrong.

[duckies129]

Jonstens makes Yearbooks for my school too but I live in Houston, TX So they are international!

[jkogrl14]

The way he introduces himself makes me laughh

[Pagan71309]

ur right bro i would be pissed too..only thing is on ur diploma they will have ur legal name which still sucks ass..

[SkyeBashkim]

hey man i feel you...

[blessthefall4100]

Ur really cute btw! I go to a catholic high school and they don't allow ftms or mtfs!

[allieyouradork]

I'm secretary of my schools GSA. :3

[indiasaidwhat]

Westwing23: ftm: female to male Mtf: male to female

[westwing23]

ummmm...whats ftm?

[BouncyBeccaaa]

@westwing23

female to male

[AbbyReidMcGee]

wtf????? That makes no sense...Yearbooks should be a place to be who you are at school and you're Ryan, not your birthname. Ugh

[864jayden]

This same shit happened to me. my birth name is the most feminine name in the world too (jessica) ugh it sucks. My name was legally changed 3 months ago but they said it's too late since all the yearbooks were printed

[prpleKUSH1]

u have 3 ftms in ur school?! ur so lucky D:

[1122ares]

@prpleKUSH1 I have 3 FtMs in my grade alone! I'm lucky too. Only one is "out" but the school's pretty bitchy about it. Me and my friend Ash are the other 2, not out yet.

[narutolovercrazy1]

@AhoyCapnNubnub SHUTUP!

[xQUEERKIDx]

@AhoyCapnNubnub everyone please keep it clean

[haleythedinosaur]

ryan don't say it isn't a big deal. "what's in name." No. It's absolutely disrespectful and ridiculous. Society should open enough to respect you and accept you for who you are. 

[expressivepoet]

Good job standing up for yourself!! :) I hope it all worked out for you.

[ENDiTunes]

My school lets anyone have a chosen name, so this feels even more ridiculous than just the fact that it's stupid and disrespectful already.

[TylynnBoi105]

Nah man, it's like them being disrespectful and undermining you as a person and as a guy. That a bunch of bullshit,dude. -Branden

[SkittleYentl]

I think it IS 'that much of a big deal' o_O

It isn't even that much about the name, I think, but about their crappy morals.

[queersomething]

how did this all work out for you ryan? we have a mutual friend or two irl btw so ... hi lol.

[whatgenderami]

you're a true inspiration to me.

--Eli.

[molantha]

@xQUEERKIDx

man, this is really sucks! at the schools here in KS kids can have whatever name they go by in the yearbook as long as they notify yearbook staff of the school. I really hope this all gets sorted out because it's not that big of a problem for then to just type a freaking new name into the computer! haha

ps. you are really acing the guy personality, even though your voice isn't low its the perfect rhythm and you have the perfect attitude!!

[kentrie1994]

Dude, I got suspended and got kicked out of my High School on the 3rd day of school this year cause I called the girl I like a bitch. That was some serious transphobic/homophobic shit going on there. Fuck them though, I'm gonna wait and sue their sorry, ignorant asses.

[BeJustInTime]

I'm jealous that you have other FTM's at your school. I got to a school with an entire senior class of 39 people. I like it but I'm the only LGBTQI student at all, so I'm too nervous to come out.

[LittleMustangMare]

@BeJustInTime curious...what does LGBTQI mean? i know FTM and Trans and all that but thats the first time i've seen the initals you put up.

[CittenCaboodles]

@LittleMustangMare Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trangender, Queer, Intersex

[LittleMustangMare]

@CittenCaboodles oh lol thnx

[PrettyCrappyUsername]

@CittenCaboodles

Ok I understand the LGBT part..but what does queer & intersex mean?

[CittenCaboodles]

@PrettyCrappyUsername Queer pretty much means anyone who doesn't feel they fall into simply masculine-feminine boundaries, ie, they aren't FTM or MTF, but they aren't cisgender either, they fall between. Often called bigender or androgynous. Intersex is someone who falls into the has-both-parts or has-non-normally-appearing parts.

[xQUEERKIDx]

@CittenCaboodles That would be the term "gender queer." The word queer as an adjective really means "weird" or "eccentric." The word queer as a noun means homosexual but could also mean anyone that is LGBT. Some people like to identify as queer rather than gay, lesbian, bi, trans, etc. I like to identify my gender as transgender male and my sexual orientation as queer.

[CittenCaboodles]

@xQUEERKIDx Queer can mean non-heteronormative or non-sex-normative in any way, when referring to sexuality and gender. I've simplified it there for sheer ease of explanation and to try to make it less confusing for the people whom I am clarifying it for.

[BeJustInTime]

@LittleMustangMare Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex. I should have added another Q and an A for questioning and allies.

[LittleMustangMare]

@BeJustInTime i'm an Ally (ugh i hate the words that always look wrong >.<) but yer i'm an ally of all sexual choices. i got kicked out of school for two weeks because i beat the crap out of a kid who was making fun of and beating up a gay couple. i broke three fingers on my own hand but it was worth it cause they got to see that there are people out there who stand up for them....even if my way was pretty violent X3

[fashionlover5]

i would sign if you got it but even if you do i dont live close to ny

[screamolullaby2]

I completely disagree with what the school is saying. I am in the yearbook staff and also the VP of my schools GSA for the 2010-11 school year. And I know people who have put their names as Buzz lightyear and Nick names they go by. So your school is just a bunch of pricks xD But I hope everything works out for you :D and I respect your bravery!

[TheKillme50]

you cute..

[Nicol3Pickl3]

hey which one of the straps did u get to hold them down or which one would work for me? please respond

[ceberus89]

it is a big deal. I'd be pissed off to dude.

[kylerhipps]

@ MaryStewart, I have been faced with some situation where trying to bring the ACLU in was probably smart. I also had to deal with my high school being jerks, granted I just settled then moved before senior year but had that not have happened I would have been in the same situation as this kid. My whole thing is know your rights.

[BonesDGAF021]

hi Ryan. i'm terribly sorry that the only thing you'll have to look back on is stupid given name-titled photos. i actually avoided yearbook photos all through middle school and high school because i hate my given name. but i was thinking the other day like wut if i had known about FTM and started transitioning earlier would it have been easier now? but this shows me it wouldn't be. so i don't have to worry about how my life could have been, just focused on living how it is Now.

[09MeghanLynn]

i luv ur hair and u could be a rlly cute boy btw!! :)

[Lookouts02]

@09MeghanLynn could be? he is a guy...

[09MeghanLynn]

@Lookouts02 ya ur rite, haha.

[MaryStewart]

if yer offical name isn'ty ryan,. then they can't use it. unless nicknames can be used.

i understand yer way cos i'm m2f.

[Lookouts02]

@MaryStewart He's going through the process of it being officially his name though. I may not understand what you guys deal with... But doing Day of Silence today, I totally got a bunch of shit from people... I do see how cruel people can truly be. I support the Trans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual community 100%. Ryan, I'll help get the link around so you can get that law passed. 100% supportive of the trans community. :)

[theycallmekiki3]

it sucks that ur gender change confuses people and the name thing freaks you but u just live as you are,a boy named ryan, btw i love ur hair =]

[ChrissyP3rry]

@Hannahdabeast Damn way to be a bitch, this person doesn't want to be a female obviously, its their choice and not something you should be a down right bitch about. Just say its not your thing and move a long.

[Lookouts02]

@ChrissyP3rry He didn't "choose" to be a boy. He is a boy haha. But I understand what you mean. Hannahdabeast, if you don't have anything nice to say, then why even say it about anyone? You obviously have enough time on your hands to sit here and give people more trouble. And Ryan will be his name. He's going through the courts now. Do us all a favor, and grow up. Ryan, I support you 100%. Day of Silence today. <3

[JiraiyaSpawn]

@Hannahdabeast He did not choose his gender, he was born with his gender. Look up the difference between sex and gender before you use words you do not understand. And just because you are perfectly happy with your sex does not mean you have to be a bitch towards the transgender society.

[Lookouts02]

@JiraiyaSpawn Very well put :)

[eddie94603]

@JiraiyaSpawn And the dumb shall speak, and say forth stupid stuff.... No matter how you try to educate them. They say "eww I don't want to hear this" and start with their stupid rhetoric. Anyhow, I thought your comment was supportive. Good for you!

[kentrie1994]

@Hannahdabeast

Why the hell are you even watching this, bitch? I hope someone breaks your nose because in my opinion you need a brain knocked into that big empty head of yours. I despise people who try to make someone else feel like shit because they CAN. You use people who are different than you as an advantage and bash them in any way you can, because you're nothing but an ignorant, bitch who will never understand anything. And who has a limited mind.

[ENDiTunes]

@Hannahdabeast I realize that you're probably just trollin', but assuming you're not, I hope that, by now (much later than you commented, I realize) you actually know what transgendered means

[EnigmaPhenomenon]

@Hannahdabeast Well, if you want to get all scientific about it. Ryan is male, the body may develope as female while the brain developes as male. So the body is not male yet Ryan himself is or atleast his brain is. And even if he did not feel that way it's JUST a name so the yearbook doesn't need to get all hyped up just because it's a name you know? That's all the issue is.

[PotheadPundit]

they're hiding their bigotry in bureaucracy.

[hellokittydolll]

wait you just dress like a boy and you want your name to be in the yearbook as Ryan?

[MrLawrenceV]

here's where they're going to get you:

People are "offended" by the fact that you aren't "normal". Therfore, bringing attention to this fact is "offensive". And by offended, I mean bigots.

I can't stand people who make a big deal out of who you are as a person.

I think what they're doing is bull, but I would bet if they make a problem of it, that's where it will be.

[j00t00ber]

What's your birthname?

[jenniadriana]

Of course you should be able to be in there as Ryan. That's who you are. You are not who THEY say you should have to be. What you need to do is find one person who holds some authority over these issues who is compassionate toward your situation. That's all it takes, one person who has the power to make such a decision to actually make it. All those people are just being jerkoff gatekeepers instead of allowing you your God-given rights to have whatever name you want. I

[jenniadriana]

That's such bullshit! There's no rule or law that says schools have to put people's names in ANY school publication as the "legal" name. All the mother has to do is sign a statement (usually along with the father if he's present) saying that it is ok and preferred that the child's name appear as something else. School publications don't count as legal documents because they can't be used to verify your identity in legal situations, erego there are no laws that prevent from changing a name in it.

[SkyeHyuuga]

Your Mum should be angry!

I hope you can get your name changed so it can go in the yearbook like that!

Ugh. It's annoying. Why can't they just let you have your name as Ryan in there. Especially if you already requested it.

It is a big deal! It's your yearbook that you should be able to look back on as a good thing.

Don't let them win!! :3

[Supernova310]

What the hell is an FTM?

[faithandsuch]

@Supernova310 female to male.

[captchoirqueer]

Way to go, Ryan. :) I grew up in NY and I am also trans. I wasn't out in high school and I admire your courage to stand up for yourself in that environment.

If they identify you in the yearbook by a name that you told them not to use, they are printing something offensive...which is exactly what you were told they can't do. It doesn't matter if it's your "legal name"...if you told them not to and you're offended by it, that makes it offensive!

Keep being you, buddy. Keep being awesome.

[flowerpot4147]

thats shit dude, go you for fighting that, because its crap, they have no reason to not use the name you ask them to use other then it's "inconvenient" for them.

[raesquirrel]

I wish you so much luck!

[blahblahcargreyblah]

Good luck, Ryan! I tried to join your group, but Facebook wouldn't let me... :/

I joined it in spirit, though <3

[sleepyxthexhead]

Good luck with everything, Ryan! <3 I joined your facebook group, and I'll be sure to invite some of my friends to it, too :)

[Alibendo]

Ryan you are a truly inspiring guy. Thank you for taking this on.

[ZipInStereo]

Amazing<3 Great video. I'm here to fight with you. I was going through the same thing.

[JeyPres]

Hey.

It's very good that you're standing up for this and you have my support %100.

Best of luck with everything & I really do hope everything works out.

[nicky1970]

Good job guy! I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with that ignorance.

[Chibiicap]

good luck with that dude! Im all for your cause and more people like you need to stand up for these things. we dont have laws and support for these things cause people in the past have just been so afraide to speak out, but you are doing that and i thank you for bringing up one more step up and out of the dark ages. One more voice speaking for us, your voice is our voice! Thank you

I believe in you!!

[kylerhipps]

Hope everything works out for you man. Schools are tough territories to navigate, if you don't get anywhere trying your local LGBT orginzation or even the ACLU. Best of Luck

[MaryStewart]

@kylerhipps the aclu? is that necessary? just go with the flow!

[alaras]

I've seen this happen before, and it's nothing short of a slap to the face. I recommend insisting that either they use your chosen name or completely pull ALL photos with you in them from the yearbook. You or your mom can revoke permissions for your inclusion to prove a point, and if they fail to comply with THAT, then they're open to a lawsuit. Not the best solution, but even the demand might raise eyebrows enough to change things.

[xQUEERKIDx]

Thanks so much for all the support everyone! please join the group on facebook! and pass this video and the group to all your friends!

[kentrie1994]

@xQUEERKIDx

How do I find the group on facebook?

[cheghench]

dude im sorry, my school is letting me do mine so i see no reason y yours cant do the same, ill sign anything for you.

[MitsukaiNoTakai]

I'll sign my name a thousand times over to get this passed. This just isn't right. It's not like you're being identified by your yearbook! They shouldn't prevent you from this if it even says it on your ID and such!

[tonyalva14]

wow man bring that up 2 the board. its insane that mutliple trans guys in ur school. theres only one in my county. myself

[aedn]

Talk to the coordinator again, preferably with the support of your Mom or another school administrator who agrees with you. I think they'll relent. There is no reason for them to be doing this.

[vampiregothchickpoet]

I'd call the local tv station. Being in the news bothers school officials. Maybe contact the ACLU as well. My daughter's name hasn;t been legally changed yet but her records show her chosen name. It is also in your best interest and the best interest of the other young adults, esp if that's a SAFETY issue for anyone. You are doing a great job staying on top of things. It is a big deal, so kick a**! Good luck!!

[tacticalteam09]

that's so unfair, it cant be that hard for them, u can count on my signature

[DrunkenLullaby52]

Side note:

I'm not allowed to change my name on my school I.D. They offered to put only my first initial though

[beyond1random]

Definitely update us man, that's just ridiculous man. I'm going to try to get the name on my student ID changed next year, hang tight and throw down some facts to them. Call up the year book company in front of them if you have to

[DrunkenLullaby52]

That is way f'ed up. Come to my school! all i had was email the teacher in charge and we use Josten as well

[naruto77dragon]

I agree with ultra1super1pancakes, that is so flipin stupid

[SpiderPig727]

Dude, this is horrible. I'll definitely sign, and I'll get my school's GSA members to sign, too. Good luck with this, we'll all stand behind you all the way!!

[ultra1super1pancakes]

why is it so hard for your school to just type 'Ryan" and not your birthname?

Thats not right... you shouldn't have to have a legal document to get your chosen name in a Simple Yearbook..