The Fimbria controversies (Nova Roma)

Background

An individual with long-time gender identity questions who had been known in Roman circles for over seven years as Lucius Marius Fimbria became interested in Nova Roma. This individual, after some indecision (chiefly religious), applied for and was granted citizenship as "Lucia Maria Fimbria", as this person was a woman in appearance, and wanted to avoid any awkwardness in the event of a face-to-face meeting. This citizen otherwise functioned as a male, both within and without Nova Roma. All of this citizen's written contributions were as Lucius Marius Fimbria. This citizen was referred to by fellow-cives in the masculine.

Some years later, Lucius Marius wished to have the Album Civium reconciled with the rest of his/her Roman life and Nova Roman experience, having come to realise in the meantime that s/he was in fact transgendered, which he regarded in Roman terms as his having been born with a genius rather than a iuno for a guiding spirit, and that it was less important for his Roman name to be consistent with outward appearances than for it to be true to his soul. He requested that his registered Roman name be changed to reflect this more developed understanding of his being. Lucius Marius Fimbria regarded this action as a simple request for correction of records.

The administration regarded it as a trivialisation of Nova Roma, potentially fostering the perception that it was nothing more than an online role-playing game. This was a common concern at the time, as the Republic was young and still striving for respectability in the Roman world at large. Allowing a citizen to change official gender on little more than his or her say-so was seen as detrimental to this effort. Too, many in leadership were uncomfortable with the whole idea of transgenderism, and were not receptive to Marius' explanations.

Controversy ensued.