Citing trans academics: 1/I’ve recently had a few queries about how to respectfully cite pubs that use my birth name, so thought I’d post some thoughts here. First, thanks for thinking about this issue & asking. Different trans people will doubtless have different preferences.

2/ My preference is as follows: if the pub uses my birth name, please use that name in the footnotes/bibliography—i.e cite exactly as originally published. This will ensure readers can locate the original pub & also ensure that all citations get counted.

3/ However, if you have cause to use my name in the body of the text, please always use ‘Yves’—even if you are writing in reference to something published under my birth name.

4/ If you’re concerned that disparity between the two names might cause confusion, you could include a brief explanatory note in the footnote, e.g. “The author of this work now goes by the name Yves”.

5/ Finally, this advice is specific to me. Many trans people find all and any use of their ‘birth name’ or ‘dead name’ deeply upsetting and/or offensive. If so, please respect that and only use their affirmed/chosen name.

6/ A final, final note: please don’t let anxiety about how to cite trans academics prevent you from doing so. Trans people already face considerable structural disadvantage; don’t add to that disadvantage by marginalising their scholarship. If in doubt, just ask!