Rooted in Identity: The Power of Labels and Self-Definition

For some, labels feel like boxes—rigid, confining, limiting. But for many of us, they are a way to take up space in a world that often tries to erase us. Labels give us language, and language gives us power.

Not everyone likes to label themselves, and that’s okay. Identity is personal, and no one should feel pressured to define themselves in a way that doesn’t feel right. But the truth is, people will label you anyway—too fat, too gay, too much. If the world insists on naming us, why not take that power into our own hands?

Through my day job as a creative strategist, I’ve had the opportunity to name a few new cultivars of roses: Aurora Borealis, Yukon Sun, Chinook Sunrise, and Canadian Shield. And sure, Shakespeare might argue that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet—but the name still matters. A name gives something meaning, sets expectations, tells a story. It’s no different when we talk about identities.

Roses in Vineland’s 49th Parallel Collection

When I say I’m queer, I’m not just attaching a label—I’m claiming my space in a community that has fought for every inch of recognition. When I say I’m autistic, I’m not limiting myself—I’m expanding the way I understand myself and how others understand me. These labels don’t confine me; they connect me. They help me find community, access resources, and advocate for what I need.

Some argue that labels divide us, that we should all just be “human.” But that kind of thinking often benefits those who already feel safe, seen, and supported. For the rest of us, labels are a bridge to community and self-acceptance.

Language evolves, and so do we. The words we use today might not be the ones we use forever. What matters is that we choose them for ourselves—because labeling ourselves is how we reclaim power, take back our story, and finally bloom on our own terms.