The liberals like to say “self-identify” instead of “I am”, because it lets them change their identity at will or state one in denial of reality.
“I am” has the benefit of being non-negotiable. They can challenge how you identify or say you don’t have the right to be a member of the group. “I am X” doesn’t give them that negotiation power over your identity.
Such as *I'm right!* when in fact most often they're wrong! [and often not only wrong, but completely clueless. But they want SO much to be the only answer in the room.