Student in Wheelchair Criticized for Transphobia over Changing Student ID Name to ‘Lightning-Kachow-McQ’

JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Tom Ciccotta

A student at UCLA has come under fire from his transgender peers over an alleged abuse of the school’s new name-change policy after he opted to change the name on his student ID to “Lightning Kachow-McQ.”

UCLA student Tyler Roope is facing a serious backlash online after showing off photos of his new student identification card, which lists his name as “Lightning-Kachow-McQ.”

“Since July, students have been able to use their preferred names on their BruinCards,” a post from the Daily Bruin‘s Instagram page reads. “Returning students can update their BruinCards by registering their preferred name through MyUCLA and paying a $5 fee for a replacement card. Andy Talajkowski said they feel more validated and acknowledged after changing their name on their new BruinCard. ”

Roope wanted to test the boundaries of the new name-change system. ““The boundaries had to be tested and I can’t believe this actually worked,” he wrote in his tweet. “My professors now legally have to call me this.”

Students immediately condemned his decision on social media.

https://twitter.com/palancedin/status/923985436858445824

Roope fired back at one critic with a photo of himself in his wheelchair, captioned only with the word, “kachow.” In another response, he wrote, “I did this because honestly lightning McQueen is red with 4 tires and so am I.”

Roope eventually posted an apology. “I would like to apologize if this offended you or anyone for that matter,” he wrote. “However, I can assure you this isn’t at the expense of anyone.”

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