identify as (someone or something)
To classify or label someone or oneself as something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "identify" and "as." The guy on the security camera isn't a criminal after all—someone in the next block identified him as one of their neighbors. If you don't identify yourself as a member of this community, I'm going to call the police! Growing up, I always thought I was straight, but now I identify as bisexual.
identify someone as someone
1. to determine that someone is a certain person. Can you identify Fred as the perpetrator? Fred was identified as the thief.
2. to reveal one's identity or name. Will you identify the man as Tom? The stranger identified himself as a meter reader from the gas company.