Unexpected Adventure

I went to change my name with the Registrar today only to discover I'd misunderstood the instructions on the school's form and needed two forms of ID with my new name, not a photo ID plus something with my new name.  They suggested I head over to the Social Security office down the road and change it there, and then they could update the system.  So I did it, and it was super-easy, and I'm glad I'll have a Social Security card with my name on it.  (Also, my old one was issued when I was in third grade, and I dotted my i's with paw prints. . .)  That was easier than I thought, and I'm glad I did that.  Without me saying anything, they also updated my sex, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.

I really, really wanted to change my name with the school  as soon as possible because that's what controls what's on my health insurance card.  I hate it when doctors insist on referring to me with a feminine name because it lets everyone know what sex I'm "supposed to be," but that's not really a life-or-death matter.  I ended up in the ER last year and was assaulted by a nurse when she discovered my legal name by way of my insurance card, and the fact that I live in an extremely conservative area with only one nearby hospital means I will end up there again if there's an emergency, and that could be a life-or-death matter.  I wanted to get my name changed in the system tied to my health insurance today because I can finally update systems my department will access now that I'm totally out.

At the same time, I never planned to change my sex with Social Security.  They don't send no-match letters anymore, and I don't actually care what sex they have on file since it's not printed on the card anyhow.  I need photo ID to have a male sex marker so I don't have an ordeal every time I need to show it, but I don't want to change all my documentation to one sex or the other.  Since I was going to have a passport and state ID/driver's license (if I ever get around to learning to drive) with a male sex marker and will never be able to change the sex on my birth certificate (thanks, NYC!), I also planned to never change my sex with Social Security.  (Plus there's that whole Selective Service bullshit I'd rather avoid.)

I wasn't really thinking about any of that today and just let it happen.  The office closed at 3PM, so I won't be able to inquire in person until tomorrow at the earliest.  I don't know if I should call some central office and ask or what.  I feel really weird for caring about this at all.  It would be a lot simpler to just let it slide. . .