Saying you are something and saying you identify as something are essentially the same. But there's a level of separation with "I identify as _" that makes me, and seemingly others, uncomfortable.
I think it makes me uncomfortable because humans are not required to say "I identify as human" to be taken seriously as humans. They can just say, "I am human," and no one would bat an eye. While myself and others who aren't human are expected to say "I identify as [x]" because then others can separate our "belief" (our identity) from what they deem "reality."
Yes, I identify as an animal. Because I am an animal. I identify as a character because I am that character. I shouldn't have to say the "identify as" part in order to be respected in my identity.
Not to mention how this relates to different levels of identity. If you say you're not human biologically, others automatically assume you're delusional or not mentally sound (which is rooted in its own issues)... That is especially the case when you simply say "I'm biologically not human" rather than "I identify as _ biologically/on a biological level." Again, it's so others can separate your claims and beliefs from what they think is real and possible.
I guess in other words, it all has a feeling of "well if you say you identify as something rather than saying you are that thing, then you're not actually that thing." Which can also relate to transphobia and the like... but that's a whole other tangent. Even if it's not intentional, it can be implied.
I don't know. I'm just thinking. Anyways, from now on I'll be making more of an effort to say "I am (a) _" rather than "I identify as _."
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