So Effing sick of LABELS!

[Suzette Muguet de Mai]

Hell if you do not know who you are at the age one is, then I guess you need to label yourself so that you are reminded of who you are. I am realising that I am me so label me as "me". I do not conform to one label, I am a mixture of labels depending on my mood hence being me is of fluid, an aether, I conform to that which demands it, permeates it and resides within that till I see something else that allows me to be consumed with curiosity of that which I may decide to transition. Nah, as I grow to understand who I am, I see I am but of many labels that is "Me".

[Shananigans]

Alright, fine then be a giraffe.

[Byanca]

Labels make it to easier find what you are looking for. System of efficiency. It's why one arrange stuff in the store.

The labels are harmless. If there is a problem, it's the people using them.

A gun is just metal

A bible is just paper.

[Pythos]

Amanda,

What if those labels you stated at the end of your post were used to deny you a job, or remove you from one? How about used to have custody of your children taken, or to have a certificate you worked really really hard for revoked due to percieved mental instability?

These lables should be payed mind, and how they are used should also be paid attention to.

I dislike some of the lables because for the most part they are entirely one sided and used derisively.

"Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is such a fallacy. Why? Because words can be part of fear, and fear can lead to hate, and hate can lead to broken bones, or ruined lives. (yes I borrowed from Yoda on that one. )

[Bethany38]

I believe labels are like yin an yang, good and evil. It depends on the label and the context with which it is used. There are certain labels that should never be used to describe anyone. Some labels we use for endearment, some are used for hate. My point is labels will always be here for one purpose or another, We can only to destroy the negative ones through education of the populace. Some one I never really liked much, once said to me that "Ignorance breeds stupidity". I do not know if this was his original saying or not, but this could not be more true.

When I think of this subject it reminds me of a scene from The Wall. The Show Must Go On scene. If you have never scene it here is a link. It is about nine minutes long be patient for the first two minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FphuB...eature=related

To me this scene depicts the power of hate, and hate labels. Two things the world can definitely do without.

[MichelleOBrien]

I will take a cue from Starbucks. I am a half gender, high profile, angry, disillusioned, confused, non-op, contrary presenting, non-passing, not needing to pass, transgendered person, with a little foam and cinnamon

I'm stealing this for my signature now...

As for everybody else, the nitpicking was funny the first few times, but then it just got old. What I was suggesting isn't to eradicate the labels, just the stigma attached to them. I was ranting because I was annoyed and pissed. It happens. I realize now that the only way, unfortunately, to remove stigma from labels is to completely eradicate anyone who doesn't subscribe to the same labels... Of course this is illegal in most countries, and often considered a crime against humanity... just ask Hitler, Pol Pot, or any other "extremist" dictator.

So that leaves us back at square one... me being annoyed that there's stigmas attached to the labels that describe aspects of who and what I am... and knowing there's nothing I can sanely, or legally, do about it.

[Valerie1973]

Well, you are what you ware. Unfortunately that is how society views us.

[Fractured]

As others have pointed out, labels help create a starting place for dialogue. I am seeking that label that describes me, both so I can understand myself and so I can present myself to my SO and others in terms that can lead to effective communication and understanding. The uncertainty I have understanding myself is why I currently am avoiding labels (other than confused and perplexed) until I have a better grasp on where I fall. I don't want to make the wrong assumption or association for who/what I am. It may be naive of me to think that determining the appropriate label will help guide me but I don't have any other ideas at this time.