Transgender Pope senior asks for preferred name at graduation

Soren Tucker, transgender Pope senior
Soren Tucker posted a Hamlet-like photo on his Instagram page on his 18th birthday.

Since changing his first name as a sophomore at Pope High School, Soren Tucker says he hasn’t encountered many issues with identifying as transgender since then.

Born female, Tucker for the last two-plus years has gone by a family name from his mother’s side of the family, which is of Norwegian ancestry. He says he has largely been supported by other students and teachers at Pope.

Soren Tucker is the name listed under his senior photo in his yearbook, and as an active member of Pope Theatre  He even performed in a male role last fall in the club’s presentation of a one-act play entitled “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”

Soren Tucker
Soren Tucker’s senior photo in the Pope yearbook.

But when Pope holds its commencement exercise Wednesday, Tucker’s birth name will be on his diploma, and more than likely will be uttered during Pope’s roll-call of graduating seniors.

That’s because Cobb County School District policy requires diplomas and graduation call-lists to include a student’s legal name.

Tucker, who turned 18 last fall, has not yet begun the process of legally changing his name, and is just now beginning to explore that process.

He said “I do plan on walking [to receive his diploma], but I’m not sure what I will do” if he does not hear his preferred name.

Tucker, who declined to reveal his birth name in an interview with East Cobb News, said he’s still hoping to have Soren listed on the call list, if not the diploma.

Lily Smith, a friend of Tucker’s, has begun an online petition that in just a few days has generated more than 13,000 signatures.

“Despite being fully supported and correctly recognized by students and staff, the administration refuses to recognize Soren by his name,” Smith wrote in her appeal. “This is a BLATANT act of transphobia, and the students of Pope High School do not and will not stand for hate, prejudice, and discrimination against their students. PLEASE sign and help us right this wrong.”

Soren TuckerA spokeswoman for the Cobb County School District reiterated the naming policy in response to a request for comment from East Cobb News, saying legal names are used for all official school business.

“If any student or family changes a student’s legal name, we update that student’s official record which impacts, among other examples, their schedules, transcripts, and diplomas,” the spokeswoman said.

When asked how he came to identify as transgender, Tucker said that for many people like him, “you just always know something’s not right.”

He said he’s trying to be happier in his life, and making a name change is “the easiest thing” he says he can do to become more comfortable at this point in his transition.

When asked if he’s planning on hormone treatment or surgery in the future, Tucker said that “generally, I prefer to live in the present.”

Tucker’s near-future includes enrolling as a freshman this fall at Kennesaw State University, where he plans to major in theatre performance and where he can use his preferred name.

Tucker says undergoing a name change is more than symbolic.

“It comes from knowing that something isn’t right,” he said. “It holds a lot more meaning than just a name. Transgender people just want to be regarded for who they really are.”

Soren Tucker
An honor Tucker received as a Pope senior includes his preferred first name.

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7 thoughts on “Transgender Pope senior asks for preferred name at graduation”

  1. I agree, why is this even a story. I am and have always been called Mike but all my official documents say Michael. The media is trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill on this issue and people are just tired of it.

  2. This is a poorly written story that borders on unprofessional. Why would it be appropriate to interogate this high schooler on his medical transition? Why was he asked how he knew he was transgender when that is unrelated to the issue at hand? He’s already transitioned and been living as male for several years. I understand that whatever juicy trauma and intrigue may surround his coming out is good for clicks but it’s none of the reader’s business. The level of maturity Soren showed throughout this interview is impressive. Had I been asked about my private medical information regarding my genitals I would have said some things not fit for publication.

    There are many professional guidelines available when writing about LGBTQ+ people and it’s unfortunate these weren’t consulted before publishing this.

  3. Poor Lily Smith
    Not enough brains to understand basic law. Cobb County School District policy requires diplomas and graduation call-lists to include a student’s legal name. If he had wanted that, he should have had his name changed.
    But no! Per Lily, this is a blatant act of transphobia, hate and student discrimination. It sure is easy for her to point fingers and charge bias.

  4. Even if they have to put his legal name on the diploma, there is nothing legally stopping them from calling him up there by his preferred name. If they can give out awards in that name, then they can give him his 15 seconds in the sun with that name.

    Regardless of what the administration does, Soren should take comfort and pride in students and staff fully supporting and correctly recognizing him. That is, in the long run, more important.

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