Dear Gunnar,

My [legal] name is Joshua Downes, a member of VATSIM in the VATPAC division. I'm transgender, identifying as female and I'm intending to start transitioning as soon as possible. My preferred name is Liesel, so Liesel Downes (as you would see on the sender line). Recently I sent a ticket to the membership team regarding using this preferred name on the network rather than my real name. This request was denied under section A4 of the CoC, citing you must use your 'real name' on the network. This really, from a moral and emotional standpoint, is not acceptable.

VATSIM is denying the right for transgender people to feel comfortable, validated and accepted within their community. I feel so uncomfortable using my legal name on the network; that name is just not who I am inside. Surely, it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to allow people like us to logon with a preferred name, but perhaps keep the old one for legal reasons? Even just put it in brackets? (e.g. "Joshua [Liesel] Downes" or something similar). If that's an option that is available, your membership team didn't make that clear at all.

I'm sure many people on VATSIM will agree that the organisation is just a group of old people running an old organisation who don't want to change anything. This needs to change, the network needs to modernize and become more open and inclusive for everyone.  And I believe one way that this can be done is by simply allowing us trans folk to use the name we identify with. In South Australia, it's easier to use your preferred name in the educational system than it is for a flight simulation network online! A friend of mine in a similar situation a while ago had their preferred name on a hospital record. It's quite a poor reflection on the network to be perfectly honest. Like I said, it needs to change, for the better of this community.

I understand if you simply cannot change this for whatever reason, however I ask that you that this into consideration and do the best you can.
Thank you.

Joshua (Liesel) Downes | 1364284 VATPAC | Gander Oceanic Web Team