I fail to see how giving ourselves a new name means that we are denying who we are. On my world, people can become citizens of other countries, can integrate into different societies and still remain true to who they are.

[Now she's bristling slightly, reminiscent less of Meira and more of Valdis]

I'm not saying this out of a sense of shame, more pride in what we have accomplished and what we can still accomplish.

[She softens again, actually looking somewhat depressed]

I just think that living by a name you didn't choose, a name given by someone who doesn't know you, takes away something of yourself...allowing others to define who you are, takes away your power.

[Then she bristles again]

If you want to live by a name that someone else decided, then that's fine, but don't you dare tell me that by choosing another name, I am ashamed of who I am.