Redefining realness: My path to womanhood, identity, love, & so much more

The first semester of her sophomore year, Mock—as Charles—is elected class secretary. She accepts the position as Janet, named after Janet Jackson who the older girls believe she resembles, to the applause of her classmates. Mock discusses the difficult yet empowering process of renaming: “becoming comfortable with your identity is step one; the next step is revealing that identity to those around you” (144). Mock’s family accepts her new name and gender pronouns, just as they accept her new clothing and makeup. Elizabeth only cares that she gets good grades as she is preoccupied with Rick and bills. Chad—although accepting—is the only one who is not outwardly excited, which Mock attributes to him needing to find his own identity. Mock does not tell her family about her hormones.

Mock has unapologetic conversations with the school staff, many of whom are on board with modeling behavior for students. Her chemistry teacher, however, refuses to call her Janet and never rebukes her peers for their inappropriate comments. Mock reflects: “if I hadn’t valued my education and hadn’t been accepted at home, skipping class or dropping out of school to avoid the harassment would have been an appealing choice” (148). Mock talks about being allowed to use the girls’ restroom and a teacher’s locked classroom to change for gym.