---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Calling a trans person by their former…"
description: "\"Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as \"deadnaming\" and is considered highly offensive to most trans people I know.\" — Steven Pe..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg"
---

#  Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to…

![“Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as &quot;deadnaming&quot; and is considered highly offensive to most trans people I know.” quote by Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg)

> “Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as "deadnaming" and is considered highly offensive to most trans people I know.”

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Using a trans person's dead name is disrespectful and harmful, reflecting a lack of recognition of their identity.

**In simple terms:** Deadnaming is offensive to trans people.

Key Takeaway

Respect chosen names to affirm identity.

Themes

respect identity trans rights

Mood

educational empathetic

Type

advice social

When to use this quote

- online interactions
- workplace
- social settings
- family gatherings

Key Concepts

deadnaming offense inclusion

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you correct deadnaming when you hear it?
- What steps can you take to learn proper pronouns?

A Different Perspective

Some may claim ignorance; education is needed but may be resisted.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Calling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling/) [Deadnaming Considered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deadnaming-considered-2986241/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Offensive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offensive/) [Offensive Trans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offensive-trans-2986243/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Referred Deadnaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/referred-deadnaming-2986242/) [Trans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trans/) [Trans People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trans-people-272271/) [Trans Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trans-person-842974/)

## Related quotes

> [Before transition, a lot of trans people pretend to be cis anyway, and in fact, after transition, a lot of trans people are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-root/before-transition-a-lot-of-trans-people-pretend-to-be-cis-anyway-and/)

[Rebecca Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-root/)

> [“Books were irreplaceable to me as a teenage trans person trying to figure out my identity. I bought or borrowed every one I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kellaway/books-were-irreplaceable-to-me-as-a-teenage-trans-person-trying-to/)

[Mitch Kellaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kellaway/)

> [I am transgender, so 'he' is not appropriate and 'she' is problematic. I haven't been one to wage war with society to force people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-hegarty/i-am-transgender-so-he-is-not-appropriate-and-she-is-problematic-i/)

[Antony Hegarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-hegarty/)

> [Surgical intervention can be precisely what a trans person needs - it is also not always what a trans person needs. Either way, one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/surgical-intervention-can-be-precisely-what-a-trans-person-needs-it/)

[Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/)

> [It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laverne-cox/it-is-revolutionary-for-any-trans-person-to-choose-to-be-seen-and/)

[Laverne Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laverne-cox/)

> [It is not a woman’s duty to disclose that she’s trans to every person she meets. This is not safe for a myriad of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-mock/it-is-not-a-woman-s-duty-to-disclose-that-she-s-trans-to-every-person/)

[Janet Mock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-mock/)

> [One particular debate that I have seen play out again and again is whether trans people who have more traditional gender expressions or who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-spade/one-particular-debate-that-i-have-seen-play-out-again-and-again-is/)

[Dean Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-spade/)

> [I have always been aware that I can never represent all trans people. No one or two or three trans people can. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laverne-cox/i-have-always-been-aware-that-i-can-never-represent-all-trans-people/)

[Laverne Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laverne-cox/)

> [I'm always skeptical about representations of trans people, especially when trans people are not making the work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laverne-cox/i-m-always-skeptical-about-representations-of-trans-people-especially/)

[Laverne Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laverne-cox/)

> [The preoccupation with transition and with surgery objectifies trans people, and we don't get to really deal with the real lived experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laverne-cox/the-preoccupation-with-transition-and-with-surgery-objectifies-trans/)

[Laverne Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laverne-cox/)

> [I have seen a lifetime of transgender people and it was hard enough being gay in the '50s and early '60s. One couldn't imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-have-seen-a-lifetime-of-transgender-people-and-it-was-hard-enough/)

[Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/)

> [I want to create a place where trans people and our allies could come together to share experiences, information and ideas. Being transgender or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-bono/i-want-to-create-a-place-where-trans-people-and-our-allies-could-come/)

[Chaz Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaz-bono/)

> [Instead of focusing on what the law says about trans people, which is really what the law is saying about itself as a protector…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-spade/instead-of-focusing-on-what-the-law-says-about-trans-people-which-is/)

[Dean Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-spade/)

> [If you are a LGBTQ person, if you're going to travel somewhere, you do need to be mindful of where you're going, particularly depending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-page/if-you-are-a-lgbtq-person-if-you-re-going-to-travel-somewhere-you-do/)

[Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-page/)

> [My only bookings this week came from within my friends. Trans people have been central to New York’s art and fashion scene for nearly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-nef/my-only-bookings-this-week-came-from-within-my-friends-trans-people/)

[Hari Nef](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-nef/)

## More by Steven Petrow

> [More people use guns to kill themselves than to kill others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/more-people-use-guns-to-kill-themselves-than-to-kill-others/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [Putting our heads in the sand is not a wise strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/putting-our-heads-in-the-sand-is-not-a-wise-strategy/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [Rely on facts, figures, principles of equality and fairness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/rely-on-facts-figures-principles-of-equality-and-fairness/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [You do not need to be female to be offended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/you-do-not-need-to-be-female-to-be-offended/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [The right to be married was hard earned by the marriage equality movement and one of its "perks" is the right to use the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/the-right-to-be-married-was-hard-earned-by-the-marriage-equality/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [The murkiness of Donald Trump's position is really what distinguishes him from other Republican nominees and contenders who have been steadfast in their opposition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/the-murkiness-of-donald-trump-s-position-is-really-what-distinguishes/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [You know, my goal is not to convince you that I'm right or that you're wrong. About homophobia. Gun violence. Racism. Whatever the issue.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/you-know-my-goal-is-not-to-convince-you-that-i-m-right-or-that-you-re/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [To parents who find a child's disclosure about sexual or gender identity challenging, I always urge what I'd call "moderated" honesty. If you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/to-parents-who-find-a-child-s-disclosure-about-sexual-or-gender/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [When someone transitions you should refer to them by their new name both in the present and with references back in time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/when-someone-transitions-you-should-refer-to-them-by-their-new-name/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [As for LGBTQ people supporting Donald Trump (or other Republicans), I do understand that some of them value his stances on immigration, climate change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/as-for-lgbtq-people-supporting-donald-trump-or-other-republicans-i-do/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [A big question that we have is that we do not understand why the comfort of the few should override the comfort of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/a-big-question-that-we-have-is-that-we-do-not-understand-why-the/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [Most pedophiles are straight not gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/most-pedophiles-are-straight-not-gay/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [I'll tell you what gives me hope. After the struggle for marriage equality, the LGBTQ community has built some very powerful organizations; in particular,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/i-ll-tell-you-what-gives-me-hope-after-the-struggle-for-marriage/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [There's nothing you can say that won't make you seem ungrateful or rude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/there-s-nothing-you-can-say-that-won-t-make-you-seem-ungrateful-or/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

> [Okay, so here's my question: When did civility become incompatible with protest? Why do some people consider civility an antonym - anathema, even -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/okay-so-here-s-my-question-when-did-civility-become-incompatible-with/)

[Steven Petrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

[Explore all 30 Steven Petrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/)

## More Calling quotes

> [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/)

[Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/)

> [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church, the hope of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/god-is-not-calling-us-to-go-to-church-he-is-calling-us-to-be-his/)

[Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/)

> [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/)

[Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/)

> [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/)

[Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/)

> [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/)

[LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/)

> [“Duty is a done deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/duty-is-a-done-deal/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [NBC is making a movie about Martha Stewart that will cover the recent stock scandal. They are thinking of calling it 'The Road To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/nbc-is-making-a-movie-about-martha-stewart-that-will-cover-the-recent/)

[Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/)

> [“There is no interaction without God with interaction with men”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/there-is-no-interaction-without-god-with-interaction-with-men/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [When I was a little boy, I was reading Dante and I was saying to myself 'Bravo, Dante, Bravo.' It's so beautiful, the music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-benigni/when-i-was-a-little-boy-i-was-reading-dante-and-i-was-saying-to/)

[Roberto Benigni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-benigni/)

> [ I don't see \[ Trainspotting \] as an albatross, I see it more as a calling card. It's got me out to Hollywood, I've… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/i-don-t-see-trainspotting-as-an-albatross-i-see-it-more-as-a-calling/)

[Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/)

> [After I finished college, I got a job on Wall Street as a derivatives trader, but after a couple years of it, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/after-i-finished-college-i-got-a-job-on-wall-street-as-a-derivatives/)

[Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/)

> [\*Calling someone I don't want to answer\* \*Please go to voice mail. Please go to voice mail. Please go to voice mail..\* Hello? -\_\_\_-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/calling-someone-i-don-t-want-to-answer-please-go-to-voice-mail-please/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Sometimes you hear a voice through the door calling you... This turning toward what you deeply love saves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/sometimes-you-hear-a-voice-through-the-door-calling-you-this-turning/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [Please be slow to judge ‘brothers’ who have a different calling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-foreman/please-be-slow-to-judge-brothers-who-have-a-different-calling/)

[Jon Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-foreman/)

[Browse all 3,811 Calling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calling/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as \"deadnaming\" and is considered highly offensive to most trans people I know.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steven Petrow"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-name-is-referred-to-as/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Calling"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-name-is-referred-to-as/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da8/steven-petrow-20998_calling_calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-n_1926016.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as \"deadnaming\" and is considered highly…” — Steven Petrow",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Steven Petrow",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-petrow/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Calling a trans person by their...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-name-is-referred-to-as/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-petrow/calling-a-trans-person-by-their-former-name-is-referred-to-as/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
