I just wrote this up for the virtual press kit for the #mynameis protest.
With its real name / authentic name policy Facebook is violating the rights and dignity of thousands if not millions. Individuals of all stripes have authentic names that are not found on any of their legal paperwork. In common law countries we have the right to define our own name and there rights need to be respected online.
Identity is contextual. That is the same person may use different names authentically in different social contexts – within the Drag Queen and LGBT community – one name Lil Hot Mess for example and in a professional day job a completely different name – more likely one on formal legal paperwork but not necessarily. These different contexts have their own contextual authenticity.
Google+ when it began several years ago also had a real name or what they called common name policy and instead users send in government issued ID via e-mail. Many resisted these policies and eventually years later they changed their policies. The movement around their policies was called the #Nymwars and several people organized to found the Nym Rights group. We fully support the #MyNameIs campaign and its efforts.
The freedom to choose our own names is the digital civil rights issue of our time. Without the freedom to choose our own name(s) online and the right associated with that choose our digital identities subject to termination for arbitrary reasons. In the physical world – if our body is assaulted, or killed whoever does will suffer consequences. We must struggle for our rights in the digital world and the freedom to choose our own names – without these rights and freedoms our right to express ourselves – to speak up in a free society will be severely weakened.
Kaliya, Identity Woman
Independent Advocate for the Rights and Dignity of Our Digital Selves.
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