# On referencing the name of a transgender person before their transition (better explained in OP) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 14, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894 "2024-06-14T23:24:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894/41 "2024-06-19T15:23:42Z")
Is that the case with most all Drag queens/performers, while in drag call them she, but out of drag I believe most go by he. Even Gottmik, trans male in drag is she, out of drag, he. RuPaul doesn’t give a fig either way. **RuPaul is noted among famous drag queens for his indifference towards the gender-specific pronouns used to address him—both “he” and “she” have been deemed acceptable . "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathie Lee; I don’t care!** ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894/42 "2024-06-19T15:59:17Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Is that the case with most all Drag queens/performers, while in drag call them she, but out of drag I believe most go by he. You’re probably right about that. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894/43 "2024-06-19T16:13:31Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Is that the case with most all Drag queens/performers, while in drag call them she, but out of drag I believe most go by he. Wouldn’t that be true by definition? Someone who identifies as female, and then wears female clothes, isn’t a drag queen; she’s just a woman. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894/44 "2024-06-19T17:12:38Z")
How one identifies personally is the only requirement really, clothes even personal grooming don’t make the man or woman? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894/45 "2024-06-19T20:46:56Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > An interesting case is Harris Glenn Milstead who preformed in drag as Divine, a female character. He used male pronouns in life except when he was in character. He went by Glenn or Divy. I don’t think drag queens are the same as trans people. I’m neither, so open to being corrected, but AIUI drag queens are actors playing a part. Trans people aren’t playing a part; they’re just being who they are. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894/46 "2024-06-19T20:52:39Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t think drag queens are the same as trans people They certainly are not and I didn’t mean to imply that. The topic had drifted to how non-trans people deal with name changes and pronouns so it was a bit of a hijack. Apologies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-referencing-the-name-of-a-transgender-person-before-their-transition-better-explained-in-op/1002894.md?page=2)