Unlabelled Visibility

“Unlabelled” is a term that some members of the queer community adopt when they do not want to use other regular labels already present. This non-labelling stance can be both on their gender and/or their sexuality. This desire to not use other labels can rise out of a number of personal reasons, unique to each. For example, some people may feel a special attraction to specific people, or have a different connection to their gender, but cannot find themselves identified in existing labels. At such times, they may choose to use the term “unlabelled”.

This particular term was used in the early times by lesbians who did not want to identify themselves with “femme” or “butch” for various reasons. It slowly grew to include sexuality in general, and later, gender as well.

Prince Wilhem from the Netflix showYoung Royals is one of the few canonical representations of unlabelled identities.

Which contexts is it used in?

As mentioned earlier, people may choose to call themselves unlabelled because they do not feel any connection with the other existing labels. However, there are other ways in which “unlabelled” is used:

1. When someone is new to the LGBTQIA+ community, and is still figuring themselves out.

2. When someone does not wish to reveal their label due to fear of stereotyping within and outside the community

3. When someone simply is uncomfortable using labels!

It is important to note that some members of the community who don’t use any labels prefer not using “unlabelled” as well.

What being unlabelled is not:

There are several accusations levelled at unlabelled folks about their gender and sexuality. If someone refuses to label their sexuality, they are not replacing identities like pansexuality, bisexuality, or pomosexuality[1] with unlabelled. Nor are they genderqueer, graygender[2], non-binary, or strictly questioning if they refuse to label their gender. And yes, such individuals still use pronouns of their choice.

At the end of the day, unlabelled identities (or the refusal to label oneself) is just another form of expression. They are to be accepted and respected as a valid part of the world.

Fun Fact:

• Unlabelled Visibility Day is celebrated every year on the 19th of January!

[1] Pomosexuality– an identity where someone doesn’t identify with conventional labels like gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, etc. to describe their sexuality

[2] Graygender– a gender identity where someone sees themselves in a “grey area” of gender, where they may feel a weak or absent connection to gender

Image credits:

https://pin.it/5m13hbzSd