 The concept of “identity” is a philosophical minefield: identity can be descriptive or normative; public or personal; with explanatory power or inert. The distinction between first person and third person attributions of identity helps us see this. When Amy asserts that she is gay, she could be describing herself (informing someone of who she is); she could be asserting a political or cultural position, especially if the identity in question is threatened by the powers that be (“I am gay”, uttered as a way of resisting oppression); or she could be making sense of herself, either to herself or to others: “I am gay” helps Amy see herself or others see her more coherently. Third parties can make the same assertion about Amy in any of these ways.