It’s a question that we’re all asked ourselves at some point in our lives.
But have you ever stopped to really think about it?
Moreover, as LGBTQ+ individuals, we often face discrimination, harassment, and marginalisation in our daily lives, which can make it difficult to fully embrace and express our authentic selves.
Most of us tend to respond to this question by either saying we are someone’s partner, child, sibling, or what we do for a living or where we live. We rely on the perceptions and expectations of other people to define who we are. We believe that we need the praise and criticism of others in order to succeed or fail, so we work hard to conform to whatever that expectation of us is.
For many of us, thinking, let alone wanting, “to be true to who we are” is an uncomfortable concept. To be more than who we are. We feel guilty for having these thoughts as they conflict with our perceived reality and society’s expectations. We feel we have no choice and we work hard on repressing such thoughts.
But the need does not really go away; it festers and percolates, sometimes for years.
The question of "who am I?" can be particularly challenging for LGBTQ+ people, because of the social and cultural norms that dictate gender and sexuality. These norms often impose rigid, binary categories of male and female, and heterosexual and homosexual, which can create confusion and uncertainty for individuals whose identities do not fit neatly into these categories.
Moreover, LGBTQ individuals often face discrimination, harassment, and marginalisation in their daily lives, which can make it difficult to fully embrace and express their authentic selves.
This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and self-doubt, which can further complicate the process of self-discovery and identity formation.
So, who are you? Really?
While this question can be particularly daunting, it's also an opportunity to embrace our true selves and find a sense of belonging and purpose.
It's about recognising and honouring our unique identities, even in the face of social norms and expectations. It's about accepting ourselves and others for who we are, and celebrating the diversity that makes us all so wonderfully human.
At Across Rainbows, we believe that Queerability is an innate superpower that all LGBTQ+ people possess.
Queerability is the unique set of skills, strengths, and abilities that we develop as a result of our experiences navigating a world that often marginalises and oppresses us.
These experiences shape us and make us resilient, compassionate, and creative. Queerability is about embracing these unique qualities and using them as a source of strength and inspiration.
When we live 'through','with' 'by' our Queerability superpower, we become more authentically confident and visible. We are able to embrace our true selves and be proud of who we are.
We no longer feel the need to hide or conform to societal norms and expectations. Instead, we are able to express ourselves freely and openly, without fear of judgment or discrimination.