Labels – Mia talks about the concept of ‘labels’ and how it can be both helpful and damaging to an individual. Whilst labels help others understand you better, they put the person in an awkward situation where they might feel rushed to label themselves, for the sake of others.  Ultimately, you are the only person that defines yourself. Labels are nothing more than words and should hold no sense of power or status in the world; we are not confined to the labels we identify as and can always change them as we see fit. 

Identity (as a queer person) – Mia speaks about the external struggle that we feel to need to ‘define ourselves’. Mostly, we feel pressured to figure out our identity for the sake of other people. Naturally, we all seek a desire to belong amongst our peers, especially when we can start to figure out that we are different. Labels help people understand us better, but they can be damaging if we try to rush it. Celebrate your uniqueness, rather than stressing over defining your identity. I am me. Mia is Mia. You are You.

Art & Fashion – Fashion has always been a unique form of expression for people of all sexualities and gender identities. Whether we dress ‘masculine’, ‘feminine’, or ‘androgynous’, we use fashion to express ourselves. Fashion is an art that highlights our individuality and gives us the confidence to be who we want to be. In Mia’s situation, she uses fashion and art to define herself. Keep an eye out throughout the video of all the images Mia includes: her fashion is incredibly unique, and works to represent her identity as Japanese, Chinese, Canadian, queer, and gender-fluid.

Compassion and Acceptance – As we talk about the importance of highlighting our uniqueness and identity, it’s important to understand that sometimes, a label makes sense for our individual needs. Desiring a label should not be looked down upon, if that is what makes sense for you. You should strive to satisfy your identity in whatever way makes you happy. And similarly, those around us might be going through something similar. The path to finding ourselves is complex and tricky, and it doesn’t happen on our own. Accept those around you and help them arrive to their destination. Mia talks about the need to  “normalize queerness” and I’d even go as far as to add “normalize individuality” to that message.