Hi Sara!

“Sara! Sara! Sara!”

The audience chanted and cheered as Sara Martin sat down at the drum kit. The stage walls were lined with silver tinsel at Gus’ Pub on a Thursday night in November. Large paper letters spelled out “HI SARA!” above her head.

The event was a fundraiser to help pay for Martin’s legal name change.

Martin is the audio engineer at the Seahorse Tavern and works closely with bands in Halifax. She is on the board of directors for Women in Music Canada and plays drums in her band, Nous. She is also a transgender woman.

When choosing a name, Martin said she picked Sara because it’s what her parents would have named her if she was born a girl.

“Pre-transition, I had a really tough time with my mental health,” she said. “My parents continued to support me and love me through that really difficult time in my life, and as I transition. It’s kind of like a nod to them.”

A legal name change is considered a form of gender affirming care. On bills, legal forms, or IDs, Martin said it can be jarring to see a name that does not align with her identity.

“It feels wrong and uncomfortable. It doesn’t feel like me and that sucks.”

Changing her name is something Martin said she needs to do for her mental health and wellbeing. But when she looked into it, she worried about the cost.

In Nova Scotia, the application for a legal name change costs $165. That does not include fees to update government documents like a drivers license ($25.10) or passport ($120 or $160).

For a legal name change, Nova Scotia requires the applicant to be fingerprinted. The cost of fingerprinting varies depending on where it’s done, but costs at least $30.

Martin said she estimates the whole process will cost about $400.

“I work in the music industry, so I don’t make a ton of money. I’m paying off my student loans, I’m not rich,” said Martin. “It kind of sucks when this thing, that makes you feel a lot better about yourself, has to cost money.”

Mica Daurie, the CEO and founder of Halifax based organization, Transgender/Non-Binary Rights Advocacy Nova Scotia (T.R.A.N.S.), said money can be a barrier for some seeking a legal name change as part of their gender affirming care.

“All of those add up very quickly for Nova Scotians who are living paycheck to paycheck,” Daurie said. “I think it should have some of the red tape pulled back. We should examine what the necessity is for some of the requirements.”

In between sets outside Gus’ Pub, Martin’s friends said they were eager to help make this process easier. 

“We love Sarah, and we wanted to support her and this amazing community she’s helped foster,” said Nick Piovesan, who performed in the show with his band, Rootabagga.

“[Sara]’s the loveliest person and she always makes space for everybody,” said Anna Brown, a friend of Martin’s. “The opportunity to show up for her was a no brainer.”

Maya Tarachi organized the show at Gus’ Pub. She met Martin a few years ago at the Seahorse. Tarachi’s band, Skunk Motel was performing and Martin was mixing their sound. They’ve been friends since.

Tarachi said while $400 may be difficult for one person to afford, for a gig to generate that revenue is not uncommon. 

Martin played in the show with her band, Nous. Other bands also jumped at the opportunity to play the show, said Tarachi. When one band on the lineup dropped out due to illness, two more rushed to fill the spot. The event received many shares on social media.

“I knew we would pull out a lot of our friends, but I didn’t quite expect the draw that we had,” said Tarachi.

Martin said she was overwhelmed. 

“The first day the poster got shared, I cried several times.” said Martin. “I didn’t know how to process that much love and support. Words can hardly describe how it makes me feel, how grateful I am for this community.”

The event raised $1,411.15. Tarachi said some people stopped by just to donate.  

Martin said she’s not sure what she will do with the leftover money. A lot of her friends, she said, are telling her to keep the money. 

Tarachi said she hopes it gives Martin a “well deserved break.”

“I wanted Sara to have some peace of mind if there were any unexpected expenses,” said Tarachi. “Sarah can take a day off work if she needs to — to get out to access Nova Scotia. She can have some days to herself.”

But Martin said she is leaning towards “paying it forward”. She said she’s trying to find other community members who’s well-being would also benefit from being able to legally change their name.

About the author

Olivia Piercey

Olivia Piercey is a fourth year journalism honours student. When not working for The Signal, she can found hosting The Basement Couch on CKDU,...