In this episode we discuss labels and why they matter as more than something to google for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. Focusing on terms related to gender and sexuality we explore the importance of our own labels to us as individuals and how other's communicating their own labels to us makes a difference. 00:00:00 – Preview & Introduction to Micro-labels00:01:12 – Welcome to the Affirming Practice Podcast & Host Introductions00:02:13 – Episode Overview: What's That Label?00:02:44 – Why Do Labels Matter? (Bridges vs. Barriers)00:05:47 – Personal Identity Labels, Positionality, and Safe Spaces00:08:55 – Descriptors vs. Slurs (Addressing "Cis" and Assigned Sex at Birth)00:11:31 – Broad Categories vs. Narrow Categories (Micro-labels)00:13:32 – Normalizing Pronouns and Challenging Gender Assumptions00:15:32 – Distinguishing Pronouns from Gender Identity00:16:54 – Unpacking Masculinities and Societal Expectations00:18:54 – Overcoming "Not Blank Enough" ("You Are You Enough")00:22:07 – Medicalization of Attraction & History of the Word "Homosexual"00:24:03 – The History, Complexity, and Reclaiming of the Word "Queer"00:25:57 – Understanding "Political Queerness"00:31:36 – Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregations & Language Intentions00:33:42 – Answering "What Does the Q Stand For in LGBTQ?"00:38:07 – Respecting Personal Names, Pronouns, and Nuance00:39:06 – What Is Gender-Affirming Care? (Medical, Therapy, and Cis Contexts)00:41:07 – Lived Reality vs. Ideology: Why "Transgenderism" Is Inaccurate00:42:53 – Sexual Orientation vs. Romantic Orientation (The Split Model of Attraction)00:45:24 – Diversity of Gender Experiences, Dysphoria vs. Euphoria00:47:15 – Polyamory & Relationship Models00:48:09 – Interconnected Oppressions: Why Gender and Orientation Are Grouped Together00:49:50 – Defining "Agender" and Questioning Gender Constructs00:52:32 – Self-Reflection on Evolving Language and Identities00:53:02 – Put It Into Practice & Closing Reiteration ("You Are You Enough")