I’m so proud of my husband, John, for being the progressive male feminist that he is. We were all inspired by the recent news that Zoe Saldana’s husband decided to take her last name. Well, today, John and I got married and, as a total surprise to me, he decided that he too would take Zoe Saldana’s last name as well!
I can only hope his brave decision might help other men realize that it’s perfectly acceptable to take Zoe Saldana’s name. After thousands of years of women being forced to take the last name of the man they’re marrying, it’s only fair that men should now take the last name of Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy actress, Zoe Saldana.
When he first announced he was taking the last name Saldana, I tried to talk him out of it. His last name is his own; why should anyone feel pressured to change it? I asked him if he was worried he would feel emasculated by the choice and he assured me that, to him, a man taking Zoe Saldana’s last name is an act of power. He made me realize how lucky I am to be marrying a Saldana—a man so comfortable in his own skin he’s willing to prove it to the world by sharing a last name with the actress who appeared in the movie Crossroads alongside Britney Spears.
The proudest moment for me was when my husband announced his new name to the county clerk after we said our “I do’s”. She was flabbergasted. She clearly didn’t approve of my husband’s choice, saying it was something she’s “never seen before”. I told her I think that’s about to change. At least that’s what I hope.
While he may not be the first man to take Zoe Saldana’s last name, Saldana, I hope he isn’t the last. I hope our children grow up in a world where it’s okay for a man to take Zoe Saldana’s last name. A future filled with Saldanas is a future I want to leave for my daughter.
I, however, will be taking my husband’s former last name, Robertson. I’m a firm believer in the importance of tradition.
