The Power of Labels

I remember discussing back in my Intro to Sociology class the power of labels. My professor deemed the term "labeling theory," a sociological construct created in the mid 60's to understand the role of the label in crafting an individual. The power of a label can be seen across society. In the African American community, the effects of three hundred years of institutionalized slavery can still be seen, as centuries of being told one is subhuman, an animal, and not on equal par based on skin tone haunt even today.
As I had dinner with a good friend this evening, we began discussing the power of the label in society today. Americans love boxes. When we vote, we pick Republican or Democrat, we label as black or white, male or female, conservative or liberal, and the list goes on. We love to simplify people, to make individuals one-dimensional, easy to categorize, and to fit into our sociological boxes of perception. I find however, more and more, most of life is not so black and white, but dimensions of gray. My friend and I discussed sexuality, and the boxes we feel as we are forced to decide-gay, straight, or the oh so undecided bi-sexual category.
Since "coming out" around four months ago, I have felt increasing pressure to label, to choose, to pick. Am I really gay? What if I am gay with straight tendencies? I mean, I have certainly seen some good looking women. But then what if I am straight with gay tendencies? What if I am bi-sexual? I mean, is it only who I want to share a bed with that determines my orientation? Who decides what is gay, straight, asexual, pansexual, bisexual?
The list goes on. The questions keep ringing. The great irony for me is that, as a Christian, I ultimately find my identity squarely in Christ. My society calls me to choose, to limit myself, to be like them and force myself into their box. Yet do I ask my straight friends to define for me their level of sexuality? The hypocrisy goes on, but it seems that those that "deviate from the norm" must be forced to defend their differences, to fall on one side of the fence, or the other.
I am Christ's child. I am me. I am not your box, I am not your token gay, your stereotype, your boxed in version of reality. I am me, and I find my identity in my Savior.
The label is unfair, biased, and not an accurate reflection of reality. I say that it is time to retire the label and respect the uniqueness of individuals as God's creation. For now, the greatest way to fight is to be knowledgeable of such things. Ask yourselves if you too are a victim of the label, in the way you view others, allow yourself to be viewed, and how you view yourself.
Let us put aside the label and take on the chains of slavery for Christ, our ultimate giver of identity. Amen.