Why I "Changed My Name"
I get the feeling that people may be wondering about my alternate name on Facebook. I didn't legally change it from Stevi Rae Alsdorf to Lilith Elizabeth Gray. I adopted the name as a means of identifying with my mystical side. Lilith is portrayed in mythology as the first wife of Adam who failed in her duties, became a demon queen and in some stories, eventually the wife of God himself. She's viewed as nocturnal mostly, a trait I share. I admire the transformative nature of her lore and always liked the name. I got Elizabeth from my paternal grandmother's middle name and Gray from my mentor, who took me under his wing and enabled me to break free from a restrictive, toxic relationship, go my own way and meet one of my best friends. The full name is representative of my true nature in tarot, the Queen of Swords. Stevi is the baddest chick on the block, according to Urban Dictionary, but Lilith sees more in her than that. I needed to create an identity that would empower...