Most people don't understand legal name changes - trans rant

Some context: I'm trans & I changed my legal name a few years ago while I was in grad school. Instead of eliminating the names my parents gave me, I added my preferred name at front (i still like my birthname, it just doesn't fully embody me). So, I still changed my first name regardless. The school I went to had pretty transphobic rules & the administrators gave no support with the way my name was displayed in student platforms. I had pressure to hurry with the legal change in order to have a diploma with my changed name because I was outed by a teacher's assistant. I chose to rip the band aid off after that and inform all my professors about my name. It was hell, but I made it.

The other day I received a call from their "career coordinator" (person that didn't really help us students, in fact she sent us a scam job offer once lol). She was asking for [insert old name]. I'm just shocked that they handed out a diploma to [current name] and didn't even think that having my current name in their records would be necessary! I just told her she had the wrong number in the dryest tone I've ever used in a phone call. And we hung up.

Why do people (especially cis people who haven't changed their names) not understand how disrespectful that is? I know she was calling to see if i was employed (another wound to pour salt on lmfao). All they do is write that down. Ya'll that university sucks ass my god. Anyway, i think the least you can do when you see someone struggle to get their true selves recognized is to RECOGNIZE THAT EFFORT! These bitches have no clue what it's like to deal with the legal system where I live. NO clue. I wonder if they thought it was easy to do all that while studying, dealing with transphobia from the admin, professors, and dysphoria as the cherry on top. 

They live in their own bubble where respect for who they are and who they decide to be is guaranteed as long as they stay in the confines of cisheteronormativity. I've had conversations with many cis people about this and i know quite a few who'd actually like to change their names but choose not to do so. I wonder what their reasons are? Either way, when I tell them what I had to do to change it, I could see the holes i was poking in their bubble.

There are people out here trying to build themselves using their own tools, materials and bedrock of choice; not the one our families, neighbors and governments hand us. I've rarely had that effort acknowledged. To others, it may seem disproportionate when I tell people they've called the wrong number because they used my second name. To me, it's one way to honor the past me that went to such lengths to have my SELF recognized by society.

Sending lots of love and strength to other folks going through name changes. I see your effort and I hope those around you do too.