Labels

Gay
Lesbian
Bi
Transgender
Queer
Pansexual
Straight
 
“Can you tell me what I am?”

Many of our callers feel a sense of urgency to find a label on “what they are”.  For some there is a sense of comfort in finding a label and a community that goes with it, but for others labels don’t always make sense for them.  Both of these are real and valid.

Self-identification can be tough and it can take time.  It can require a lot of soul searching and allowing yourself to explore what your feelings may mean to you.   What can be important is that you can allow yourself to feel good about yourself regardless of if you have a label or not.

For some people a label fits perfectly.  They might wear their label, gay, or bi, or trans, pan, lesbian or what ever label they come to, on their chest with pride.  But some, a label might not always fit, and that’s ok. 

You are free to explore and try on labels.  Does it fit?  If it doesn’t you have the right to try on another one.  Some people may also use more than one label for themselves.

Some people never pick a label because none of them feels right to them but instead explains their feelings.  That’s 100% valid too. 

No one else can put a label on you, because no one else is in your head or your heart and knows you better than you do.  You are the only person who can decide if a label is right for you or if it’s not.  And there is no time limit on figuring it out, you get to take as much time as you need.
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At the LGBT National Help Center, we can’t tell you what your label is.  But what we can do is be here for you.  We can talk with you about your feelings.  You can ask questions, you can try out a label and see how it feels.   You can reach out by phone, or online chat, or by email and we’re here for you.  We can’t give you the answer, but we can be with you as you travel on this amazing journey of self discovery.  We're glad you found us.

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