What does "identifies as" mean

Some people thought it worthwhile to find out what "identifies as means.

Here is how I see it.

A identifies as X = A says he is X
B identifies as X = A says she is X
C identifies as X = C says she is X
Repeat for all pronouns.

In other words a pronoun independent way of saying "Says he/she etc is.

"Mary identifies as a woman". = "Mary says she is a woman"

"John marked the "Male" option on the form"

So John identified as a Male.

Hamish marked Australian as citizenship on the form."

Hamish identified as Australian citizen"

Det Supt Plod says 'I am a policeman'. Det Supt Plod identifies as a policeman.

Det Supt Plod then says "Only fooling, I am a singing telegram deliverer"

Det Supt identifies as a singing telegram deliverer.

So far so good. Now what does it mean for Mary to say she is a woman?

It means that Mary says that she is whatever Mary happens intend to be understood by 'woman' when she uses the word in that particular sentence.

That seems to get the mechanics out of the way.

via International Skeptics Forum https://ift.tt/iUA6MPm