Be Diverse Network Launches New Movement "Call Me By My Name" to Fight Gender Laws & Affirm Transgender Identities

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Discrimination. Oppressive policies. Marginalization. Violence. These are challenges the LGBTQ+ community is likely to never escape. In spite, the position of visibility the community stands in creates a path towards both acceptance and fulfillment.

The Be Diverse Network is taking a direct approach with its latest campaign, “Call Me By My Name”. The movement highlights transgender awareness, as well as doubling down on possibly the most controversial issue amongst the LGBT community— the changing of one’s gender or name.

Founded in 2023 by Jiyah Bolden, the Be Diverse Network is a non-profit organization committed to empowering transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals.

A black trans-woman herself, Bolden has personally encountered the same societal limitations her organization is working to dismantle.

“I started Call Me By My Name because this country keeps trying to erase us, our gender markers, our passports, even our names —and I’m tired of it”, Bolden told Gaye Magazine.

“This movement isn’t about how we look or how we present; it’s about being free. It’s about visibility because you can’t fight what you refuse to see.”

While the LGBT community as a whole faces restrictive policies and consequences world wide, transgender persons often hold the most controversial spotlight— especially in the United States. From the usage of bathrooms to sports, the push and pull is evident.

Once President Donald Trump started his second term, he and other elected officials wasted no time showing their displeasure with trans persons and their position in American society.

On February 5, President Trump signed an executive order effectively banning any transgender athlete from participating in girls and women’s sports. Additionally, President Trump moved to deny transgender persons from enlisting or actively participating in the U.S. Military. This motion is currently being upheld as federal courts sift through appeals.

Moreover, The Texas House of Representatives has recently passed a bill legally erasing trans identities. H.B. 229 claims that “males and females possess unique immutable biological differences that manifest prior to birth and increase as individuals age and experience puberty.”

In an 86-36 vote the bill will move to the Senate with a chance of passing. Written by State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R) the bill has been titled the “Women’s Bill of Rights”, as a means of “protecting” the roles and identities of biological women.

Be Diverse Network is promoting the new campaign with T-shirts inspired by the transgender flag. The shirts feature the campaign slogan “Call Me By My Name” —a possible nod at the intimate expression of “Call Me By Your Name," however, the organization's message sparked more of a demand, with fearless intent.

“That’s why the shirts have the trans flag on them. It’s not just for us but for the world to see that we’re not hiding, that we exist, and that we matter. And most importantly, that you will call us by our name.”

The Call Me By My Name campaign is fighting for respect for trans persons, and to be simply addressed as who they choose to be, and what they want to be called.

Purchase a "Call Me By My Name" shirt through their official Etsy: store.bdnflorida.etsy.com or follow the campaign @BDNFlorida on Instagram.