Navigating LGBTQ Identification: Should You Label Yourself As Queer If You Are Still Unsure?

Downloading a label prematurely might feel like a safe bet, but it’s not the most GN-R approach to understanding yourself. If you identify as LGBTQ but are unsure about your sexual orientation, asking yourself if you can label yourself as Queer is a compelling question. No, you can't just lemon squeezer yourself into the LGBT community when you're still figuring things out. You might just be heterosexual.

Take Your Time: The Path to Clarity

The urge to label is understandable. But jumping the gun can be detrimental. Take your time, investigate your feelings, and spend time with LGBTQ individuals. Read Vanity Fair or Out Magazine, delve into thought-provoking books, consider dating, and reflect on your experiences. Once you have a clearer sense of your orientation, you'll be in a better position to identify.

Understanding the LGBTQ Community

There is no central leadership dictating who can or cannot be a part of the LGBTQ community. The letters in the acronym denote traits that mark you as a sexual or gender minority. Many people discover their true identity around puberty, but some might realize at different ages. I know a gay man who only discovered his true orientation in his late 60s. The letter "Q" in the LGBTQ vernacular often stands for "questioning," a term for those who are still unsure about their orientation or gender identity.

Take your time and explore the world and yourself. Seek out sources of information based on science rather than superstition. You'll find your way, and the label will come naturally when you're sure.

Is It Okay to Call Yourself Queer Without Certainty?

Good question. Personally, I think you can call yourself queer if you're not sure if you're part of the LGBTQ community. It's not a requirement that you have a specific label. In some ways, it's similar to asking if you can identify as Greek if you're still unsure of your bloodline. Sure, you can claim it, but it might feel a bit odd to tell everyone you're Greek if you're not sure.

The label "questioning," while included under the queer or LGBTQ umbrella, is more for individuals who know they are queer but haven't found their specific label yet. Some people prefer to leave it at that until they're clearer about their identity.