Three trans women fight to overturn a harsh law that binds them to their past.
ABOUT
A feature-length documentary currently in production.
What's in a Name captures the journeys of three trans women as they champion the passage of HB252, an Illinois state bill eliminating name-change barriers for individuals with felony records. Set against the backdrop of their personal struggles and triumphs, the film unveils the profound impact of their advocacy.
WHY
A male name on their government ID exposes the women as trans, which opens them up to harassment and danger. After showing their ID cards they have been denied services, housing, and employment. The constant outing causes an enormous amount of stress. Reyna calls it the “walk of shame” when she has to stand up and walk across the waiting room at the doctor’s office after the nurse calls out her deadname.
Shot over the course of four years, we get to know Tania Cordove, Eisha Love, and Reyna Ortiz as they share their stories from a particular vantage point that is at the intersection of the most critical issues of our time. Through an intimate view into the lives of these three women, the film illuminates the failings of a broken justice system, and more importantly, shows impacted people leading the way forward.