Max is changing its name again, and trans people have thoughts - INTO
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Max is changing its name again, and trans people have thoughts

Henry Giardina

In the trans community, changing one’s name—sometimes multiple times—can be an important rite of passage.

Related
Trans folks are asking: How many times can you change your name?

In the world of streaming services…not so much! But that isn’t stopping Max from changing its name from HBO Max to Max and now all the way back to HBO Max in just a few short years.

Yes, you heard that right. After making the confusing choice to become just “Max” in 2023, the streaming platform just announced that they’re going back to the original branding of HBO Max. Which they should have just stuck with in the first place, honestly. But whatever. No shaming here!

We must admit, though, it’s a very trans move.

we could always tell

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— onion person (@junlper.beer) May 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM

Or is it?

The first ever streaming service to detransition

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— Jenny Geist (@jennygeist.bsky.social) May 14, 2025 at 8:15 AM

they should call it [prince symbol] max

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— Josh Sawyer (@jesawyer.bsky.social) May 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM

Not the detransition honey

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— COWBOY TAYLOR (@actuallycerulean.bsky.social) May 14, 2025 at 8:40 AM

We’re going to need this app to pick a name and a struggle, quickly.

Henry Giardina (he/they) is the editor of INTO. He lives in Los Angeles. Past publications include the New York Times, The Believer, The New Yorker, The Paris Review Daily, The Atlantic, Film Comment, and Gizmodo. He is @punkgroucho on Twitter.

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