You’ve heard the saying… “Labels are for clothes, not for humans.” As if we don’t require categorisation. But I somewhat disagree because, without categorisation, how do we fit into this wide and wavering world? It’d just be a cliche sea of plain white clothes, mingling without any navigational points.

You see, we require labels, not just to shape our own identity, but to showcase to the world who really are. This is how we fit in, by standing out amongst the crowd with a mix of vibrant, punching labels.

I’m a gay man, Scorpio’s my star sign, I’m an avid gamer, I live in Sydney, Australia, and – if you must know – I am actually a tea drinker.

With that whole sentence, you have a plethora of topical ideas that we could discuss. Perhaps there is something we share in common. Perhaps not. Either way, it’s much better than saying “oh, actually, I don’t like labels.”

And no, this is not a dig at people who are non-binary or pansexual or prefer polyamory, because they are also labels too. You know where they stand. On top of this, they are also offering other people who don’t know where they stand an opportunity to find out.

You never know, you might enjoy a spot of tea…

To be honest, this a statement for people who refuse to label themselves. And look, I can understand if you fear the stereotypes, but people are going to fit you into a metaphorical box even if you don’t label yourself. So you might as well label yourself, let the small-minded twats have their fun, and learn to overlook them while finding people who actually understand you.

C’est la vie, hunnibunch…

Of course, Labels Are Just Labels

You cannot manufacture a full picture of a person with just one label. Every gay man is different, every polyamorous person is different, and, yes, every tea drinker is different. You’re gonna need a couple more labels to form something coherent. What music do they like? Are they Hindu? Do they have a thing for Liam Hemsworth?

But, even then, knowing a person’s likes and dislikes won’t form a complete picture, either.

If you really want to know someone, take them out for dinner. That way you can gauge how they interact in the world. Word of advice: If they are rude to the waitstaff, ditch them!

Accept Your Labels, But Don’t Abide By Them

I have to admit that when I was younger, I actually thought all gay men were camp. It didn’t bother me because I already knew I was part of that mould. I was camp long before I knew I loved naked men. But as I grew older, I realised that being a gay man simply meant you liked cock. It had no bearing on personality.

Since then, I’ve developed a wide and wavering personality. Yes, I have a fondness for Broadway musicals, but then I also enjoy listening to Eminem. I also swear like a crass bogan, and I mince when I when I walk because it pisses the right people off.

Labels only you tell you what a person is, not who a person should be.

So, while labels are important for the human race – to help categorise the wide and wavering world – they are merely just labels in the end. Just like labels on clothing. They can only tell you the basics.

Because you never really know if those shoes are really yours until you put them on.