Deadnaming

This week I came across a fantastic commercial from Starbucks related to this topic.  It shows a UK teen being called by his deadname repeatedly, until finally he’s asked for his name at Starbucks, and they write his affirmed name on his cup.

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From Merriam-Webster:

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For those of you that don’t know someone transgender, it may be hard for you to understand how impactful this small gesture can be.  But even if you don’t find it as moving as I did, I hope you will learn from it for your own future interactions.

The ad was created in partnership with a UK-based organization called Mermaids, which provides transgender youth services.  

I’ve linked the commercial below if you’d like to watch it.  

BTW, Starbucks is not the only coffee company speaking to the LGBTQ community.  If you liked that one (or even if you have pre-teens/teens that you are struggling to relate to!), you might enjoy this ad from Belgian coffee company Douwe Egberts, which is “nothing like a Folger’s commercial”.  

If you are heterosexual and you don’t have friends and family who are LGBTQ, it may be really hard to understand the importance of these moments.  But for those of us that are a part of this community, it is an amazing thing.  I have been out for more that 30 years, and I’m just starting to see ads that I relate to. I feel are speaking to me and the people I love.  It’s been a long time coming.