Saturday was not the most inspiring day for making photos. Dull light and Rideau’s Rancid VibesTM provided me with only enough motivation to expose half a roll of Superia. This meant that Monday was a day for taking care of to two bits of unfinished business.
The first bit of unfinished business was to put together my application to let the Province of Ontario know that their records that pertain to my identity are out of date, or dare I say, incorrect! While I’ve been out for just over three years now, in the eyes of the Province of Ontario…
It was time.
Well past due.
While I have to wait about 3 months (give-or-take) for processing and then apply to update my various identifications, by the time Kathleen and I visit Halifax in September, I won’t have to explain why this radiant and beautiful goddess that stands before you has documents that don’t seem to match.
Charlotte: Hands gate agent boarding pass and ID.
Gate Agent: looks up, looks down at ID, looks up again, looks down at ID again. Makes face that looks like it comes from somewhere inside a flustered-skeptical-confused triangle.
Charlotte, sheepish: “I just haven’t legally changed it yet.”
Gate Agent: “Ahh. Thank-you!”
It’s quite a bit less comfortable in other situations, such as the less personal medical services that are rather frequent in trans life. Regardless of how many sticky notes I stick to my OHIP card or other request forms to inform them of my preferred name, there is a 75% chance that they’ll ignore it and holler out my deadname to the waiting room.1
It’s also not me. It never really was, but even less so now.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
As for the second piece of unfinished business?
The last dozen frames2 from that roll of Superia. Since we were in need of some kitty food, I figured I’d take some time between appointments to replenish the cupboard. It was also a beautiful morning, so it was hardly a chore to be out!
Camera
Lens
Film
Developer
Scanner
Location
Date(s)
Filing
Nikon EM
Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8
Fuji Superia Xtra 400
Flic Film C-41 Pro Kit
Plustek 8200i / Silverfast 9
Ottawa, Ontario
April 14, 2025
Series 6, Roll 067
- It also gives transphobic folks a lever. A while back I sought out flu and COVID vaccines at a large chain pharmacy. After handing over my health card, they proceeded to loudly refer to me by my legal name, called out “SIR!!” more than once, and while I was getting the shots, asked me unnecessary questions about my height and weight. While I know they could have done that anyway, I don’t like to make it too easy. ↩︎
- In cutting film from a camera to develop, I lose about five or six frames. ↩︎