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Chosen First Name: A chosen first name is not a legal first name, but is generally used to change the manner in which others refer to the individual. For example, student Mathew Allan Smith may prefer the name Matt or Susan Elaine Taylor may choose to be referred to as Sue or Elly rather than Susan. Note that chosen first names or used names are not limited to variations or derivatives of a given or legal name; for example, student Margaret Ann Parker may request the chosen name Robert or Lawrence Peterson may choose to be called Sarah due to gender identity or transgender status, respectively, without court-ordered documentations.
Legal Name: A legal name is the person’s official name in accordance with the law. Legal names can only be changed on official documents when a student acquires a court order. Such a court order may arise in a number of different contexts, including a name change proceeding, an adoption, a divorce decree, individual choice, witness protection program. Additionally, a marriage certificate should be treated like a court order.
Governmentally Recognized Gender Marker: The gender marker appearing on an official government document that denotes male or female, used for official reporting to the Federal Government and other similar agencies.
Gender Identity: One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
Personal Pronouns: The pronouns used by an individual that best reflects their gender identity and by which they should be called. For example, student Taylor Doe might use the pronouns “they/them/theirs” instead of “he/his/his” or “she/her/hers.”