Identifies as means that someone told you who they are.

I'm a self identified bisexual woman.

I happen to be married to a man whom I love, but I still feel attraction toward other women. Most people who see me and my relationship assume I'm heterosexual, so I have to clarify through self identification.

That's all that is. Now if someone who is white tells you they identify as black they're using the term wrong and being ridiculously insulting! I know it happens, but that kinda stuff is just wrong.

Insert The More You Know gif here.