leonawriter:

xors:

i really want to normalise the idea amongst lgbt youth that its okay to switch labels as you further understand your identity. you’re not a traitor or a fake if you realise you’re bi instead of a lesbian, or if you’re a trans woman instead of a gay man. it’s really difficult and scary to be lgbt and it’s doubly hard to deal with a shifting identity amongst all that so… be kind to yourself. you’re learning and figuring yourself out and nothing is set in stone. let yourself figure out what feels most comfortable to you. and for those who are secure in their lgbt identities, particularly adults, don’t make kids feel bad for switching between labels. we’ve all had identity crises in our lives, so provide support and understanding rather than unforgiving attitudes.

this post is not an excuse to jump on the “of course you can’t label yourself at a young age” bandwagon either. young people who stick with and feel comfortable in an identity from an early age are just as valid as you are.

Additionally, on the other side of this - if you know someone who switches labels, it’s also your job to not make them feel like a traitor or a fake. If you’re their friend or you say you support them, then be their friend and support them. If you don’t understand how they could say they were one thing however long ago and now it’s something different, this is your chance to learn, not reject.

And if they later choose to go back to their original label, then they still weren’t faking it. Those were the feelings they had at the time.