how do i stop reducing myself to a label?

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so, i just figured out with the help of others, that i like women rather than men. i also like nonbinary people. my friends say enbies can be (not always are) included in any sexuality. if a woman likes men and enbies, she can call herself straight. (however, of course, if she's dating a enby that prefers to be in the "bi" label and not "straight", then she can call herself bi. there are exceptions.)

i can only see myself long-term with a woman or nonbinary person who wants to be in the lesbian label, no one else, especially not men or man-aligned genders. every time i try to date a guy, i lose admiration or "feelings" for him quickly and things overall don't work. i never have this problem with losing feelings for women or my enby partners though, especially the one i'm dating for longer, the one who said enbies can be included in any sexuality. (this means they're ok with me saying lesbian).

however, while "lesbian" is the shortest way to say this long, detailed explanation, it's a label. and many people say "i don't like labels" or "why reduce yourself to a label?" while lesbian works, i also don't wanna convince my brain that a lesbian is all i can be, that my whole identity revolves around lesbianism, and that if i end up liking a guy, i should repress it because i'm "supposed to be" a lesbian.

after all, i am what i am! while lesbian works for now, it may change. 10 years from now, 25-year-old me could discover the right guy. on the other hand, i did try to force myself to be more into guys because i was bi and struggled to fit in with other bi girls or the "bi" label, but whatever.

how do i prevent myself from thinking it's all i am? i am me. also, labels, i heard, are descriptive, not prescriptive.

Posted Jun 11, 2026, 2:35 AM UTC

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