Queer is my preferred primary identifier because of its
flexibility. I identify as bisexual as well, but I don’t feel like I’ve got it
all figured out just yet in regards to genders I am attracted to, or even my
own gender. Queer lets me express the sentiment of ‘I’m not exactly sure, but
I’m definitely not straight, and maybe not cis.’ It also gets me less side-eye
than bisexual sometimes does in spaces that are branded LGBTQ+, which shouldn’t
happen, but it does all the time.
I have so many other identities: parent, teacher, nurse,
spouse, researcher, student, bisexual; queer is the only one that doesn’t rely
on my positioning related to others. It’s just who I am. It allows me the
freedom to explore different aspects of myself, such as my gender presentation,
passion for equality in healthcare, and love of queer spaces without feeling as
if any choice that I make is incorrect or bad. It’s all just queer, and it all
fits within the queer spectrum.