JORDAN: What do you mean she changed he...

JORDAN: What do you mean she changed her name?

DANI: They changed their name. You can’t misgender them.

JORDAN: What are you even talking about? They?

DANI: Alex likes to go by they/them pronouns.

JORDAN: Pronouns? What the actual? And Alex? Her name is Alicia. It’s always been Alicia.

DANI: Alicia is their dead name; they are Alex now.

JORDAN: Dead name? That’s depressing.

DANI: So it’s being called something that you don’t identify with anymore.

JORDAN: What is everyone going to say?

DANI: Who cares what they say. Alex is our friend. (a beat) Look I know it’s hard to get your head around, but you’ve got to respect Alex’s wishes. They have been on a really hard, confusing journey to get to this place.

JORDAN: I know. (a beat) So is she… I mean, are “they” going to be able to wear the boy’s uniform instead?

DANI: Maybe? I don’t know… I hope so. Wouldn’t be better if we had a gender-neutral uniform so these things weren’t such a big deal to everyone.

JORDAN: I’d love to wear PE every day.

DANI: Ha! Same! Look, it's really important that we make an effort with Alex. They have been a friend since forever, and this is the first time I have seen them truly comfortable and happy since… I can’t even remember when.

JORDAN: Same…. I just don’t understand why she… I mean “they” would want this. People are mean. They are going to get bullied, even more than they already are.

DANI: I know, but we are their friend, and it’s our job to support and protect them.

JORDAN: Ok… I’ll try. Ha! I hope Alex appreciates it.

DANI: See there you go.

They hug.

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