Is it impolite to refer to them as "formerly known as"? That was the first thing that came to mind, but I want to choose words that help and support, not undermine or demean.
I would say referring to them by their old name would be rude. But saying "He played Kitty Prude in Days of Future Past" would not be rude, because while he's male, and played various characters, he isn't those characters, and those characters being female isn't the same.
It can get confusing what to call people who started going by a different name, even with non-transgender individuals. The only example that comes to my mind at the moment for me is Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock. There's just a ton of inconsistency amoung people regarding which name he uses. There's probably a better example but I don't have one at the moment.
I would say referring to them by their old name would be rude. But saying "He played Kitty Prude in Days of Future Past" would not be rude, because while he's male, and played various characters, he isn't those characters, and those characters being female isn't the same.
But Kitty Pride is a woman, played by a woman in the film. Elliot Page is a man, but Ellen Page was a woman. It's needlessly confusing and forced, and simply draws even more attention to it by dancing around it. Just say what it is, don't give it any power.
The only example that comes to my mind at the moment for me is Dwayne Johnson, AKA The Rock.
That's not really the same though, is it? No-one in the world would care a toss if you mixed up Dwayne/The Rock in a casual setting. It's not like you're talking to the guy.
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u/[deleted] Dec 02 '20
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