Identity, Authenticity - Do they conflict?

[Kobi]

To me, words and labels, because they are subject to individual interpretation, are barriers to authenticity.
What a word means to me and what a word means to someone else may not be the same thing.

As such, they might be useful in some arenas but they rarely define the authentic me.
Plus, they limit exploration, flexibility, and freedom of expression.

Example. I like to flirt. My flirting is not always based on labels.
It may well be based on some people are just fun to play with.
Therefore, I will not only flirt with femmes, but some butches and
males and heteros as well. Doesnt mean I want to sleep with them
but light hearted banter can be very amusing, liberating, and just
plain feels good sometimes.

When I first came out, a few decades back, using labels was important in helping
to form and solidify my sense of self. Now, I find it too confining.

For me, the most authentic thing I can say about me is...
I am who and what I am. How that may manifest itself from
moment to moment and day to day is up for grabs. There is
no final, absolute product. It is a continually evolving process
which defies words.