Naomi,

Cataloging is mostly of published resources. How much access to a writer’s inner soul can a cataloger expect to have?

Think of this example. We’re still discovering writings by Ernest Hemingway from what I understand. As we find more things by him, we will learn more about his inner life. Chaz Bono may have been male in some sense before 2008, but I believe that’s when he started calling himself Chaz. However, let’s say that 50 years from now, after Chaz has passed away, someone unearths another writing by him from 2005 where he calls himself Chaz. Or maybe Frank. That would be grounds for changing the date in the 375.

Just my two cents. No purchase necessary!

Ted

From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Young,Naomi Kietzke
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2015 11:13 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Inevitable Caitlyn Jenner NAR question

The problem here is that you are assuming that the person’s identification with a particular gender is concurrent with the beginning of the public expression of that gender identity. Based on what I’ve heard, read, seen from my cisgender perch, that’s not how it works. It may be upon self-examination that the individual has attempted to express and identify with the target gender their entire life, but were quashed by parents, schools, etc.

So, you CANNOT say that the identification began at the time of public transition. Sorry, no sale.

Naomi Young

CONSER Coordinator

University of Florida

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From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ted P Gemberling
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2015 6:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Inevitable Caitlyn Jenner NAR question

But if people come out at a certain point, what else do we as catalogers have to go on? If we say Chastity became Chaz in 2008, we are not implying that the gender identification is irrevocable. We’re just saying that to the best of our knowledge (admittedly fallible), a certain gender identification started on a certain date.

Just some things to consider.

Ted Gemberling