ABSTRACT
Global communication which was, long ago difficult or even impossible, has now been made easy and possible with the advent of the internet. The impact of the internet on LGBT life is significant on the sense that LGBT youth do not have to be physically mobile in order to meet others in the same community. Some time back,meetings were bound to occur only in gay bars or clubs or other designed places. Nowadays, connections are possible via the digital sphere. This evolution allows LGBT individuals to socialize and even find life partners without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes. Social platforms via the internet enable young persons to discover and forge their sexual identity and orientation. Subsequently they can be provided with proper frame and support.(Niman 2017).
INTRODUCTION
It is widely believed that the online environment is a refuge for individuals in minority groups who want to voice out their opinions without fear of being criticized or sanctioned by society. For instance, people who belong to the lgbt community can express themselves freely and share common experiences. Specific social networks have been set up to offer assistance to those in need. These networks help the lgbt youth to affirm their identity thus increasing their self-esteem and becoming more self-confident. Studies have proved that the internet is an inexhaustible source of information and support for people in common situations and at a disadvantaged social position and create more social justice. (Alex 2016).
THE USE OF ONLINE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS
Online information and data relative to Lesbian and gay individuals being easily accessible, the latter may gain support for enhancing their quality of life. Since physical displacement is not essential to meet other people of the same community, the “coming out” process can prove to be smoother and easier. The person who feels understood and supported by his fellow mates will definitely perform better in all spheres of his life. Moreover, constructive data may lead heterosexual individuals to change their look on LGBTQ individuals and bring them to more compassion and comprehension on their part. This can also result in a decrease in homophobes who were wrongly or negatively informed about LGBTQ physical and psychological development and their personal struggles therefrom. Cumulative adhesion to social networks create a bigger community thus pushing other members of society to legitimate recognition and acceptance of one and all.(Ross 2012).
The Internet, as a powerful tool of connection and communication, permits individuals to be virtually mobile in spite of geographical separation. Time and Physical distance have no impact on relationships since people can communicate easily in spite of time differences in different countries and being physically in another place. Adhesion to social platforms created by people of the same community help members to feel integrated, supported, gain a sense of belonging and become emotionally strong. Perceptions of different people are greatly influenced by exchanges on the internet. (Ross 2012).
THE IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is increasingly influencing the way young people interact in society and construct their personal identities. With the rise of social networks, the youth are less involved in the face to face interactions and make exaggerated use of technology to communicate whether it be audio or video conversation. In this digital era , young people seem to live in a virtual world and have lost the sense of personal touch and contact. Social media allow people to connect over space and time. However, social media also allows people to construct an online identity which may be different from the real offline-identity.(Lucero 2013).
STRUTURALISM AND CONTRUCTIVISM
Cullen (2013) states Bourdieu’s approaches social science from a structuralist or constructivist point of view. Based on structuralism individual behavior is objectively governed by social reality while constructivism refers to human behavior as being determined by social stratification. According to Bourdieu, structuralism does not take into account the personal feelings and reactions of human beings; individual behavior is just influenced by objective elements like one’s position in society. Bourdieu claims that the differences in culture, beliefs and values of different social groups create tension and conflicts. Social networks are easily accessible a nd some users within a specific group, like LGBT are prone to make use of this tool to express their views or disseminate information which sometimes may prove to be irrevelant and thus create more conflict. Such behavior requires “gatekeepers” to be called upon to regulate activities, including type and source of information, language used on social networks. In other words, “gatekeeping” is the process monitoring data and information which are posted online. On certain sites, there is an open flow of information in such a way that no “gatekeeping is involved and users are free to decide whether the given piece of material is relevant and reliable.
ONLINE IDENTITY MANAGEMENT
The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, stated in 2010 that people who do not identify themselves with their real name cannot be considered as honest people. However, in saying this, Zuckerberg overrides the fact that some people are compelled to conceal their true identity for specific reasons. For example the same individual may play different roles in terms of parent, worker, political leader, member of sports club, follower of religious movement and thus be present on different social platforms in relation to his predefined roles. This phenomenon of online identity expression called “context collapse” was introduced by Boyd (2018). This shows how people strategically selects what information they divulge and what they retain online depending on the social group and audience at which they aim. “Context Collusions” is a concept where different social groups with the same personality and common quality join together on the same network. On the hand, “Context Collusions” refer to people with different personalities to be regrouped on the same platform.(Boyd 2018)
IDENTITY DISCLOSURE FOR LGBTQ YOUNG PEOPLE
In other spheres of life, various LGBTQ adolescents try to reveal their personalities in multiple ways which impact on their well-being. From one perspective, revealing his identity may help the LGBTQ young person to feel authentic to himself and to others and also act in a way which enables him to feel relieved from any social pressure. In so doing the LGBTQ youth may openly request and gain access to published sources of help and support. As a result, this will lead to a greater sense of well-being for the individual concerned. On the other hand, hidden identity causes stress and turmoil leading to personal negative feelings and sense diminished self-esteem. (Ross 2012).
Ybarra (2016) studies show that there is a direct relationship between identity revelation among LGBTQ youth and a sense of well-being. When LGBTQ identity is revealed the person displays a more positive psychological state of health while someone who conceals his sexual orientation is more prone to psychological stress and depression. However some researches have also revealed that in certain cases revealing their LGBTQ tendency have laid some youth to be ostracized and victimize at school or on their places of work. In society, people are expected to act and react in a certain way depending contextual situations.The social or economic context in which sexual orientation is revealed or concealed plays a great role in the individual’s development.
Depending on the social life in which they evolved, the LGBTQ young people deal with their identity in different ways. For example, if their parents at home and friends at school are supportive, they will be less fearful to reveal their identity. Idem with their co-workers and club partners if they show understanding. On the contrary, if they do not receive encouragement from their close kins and peers, they are less likely to disclose their tendency. Researchers have found that psychological well-being of LGBTQ people are greatly influenced by the level of supportiveness and acceptance of those surrounding them.
LGBTQ IDENTITIES ONLINE
Difficulties arise in managing identity disclosure on social networks mainly because of the low guarantee of privacy settings. Personal information like photographs, profiles, activities and contacts are sometimes divulged by friends of friends intentionally or unintentionally. In spite of account controls, many pieces of information cannot be restricted to only one person or only a group of persons, thus can be disseminated throughout the whole network, many a times to the detriment of the original user. This may create personal problems, family diputes, social conflicts and upheavals. (Dishman 1997).
Management of social networks is effected strategically by many LGBTQ youth. They may create different and distinctive accounts in which they disclose different statuses and identities, not necessarily untrue. For example, a Christian young person may open an account with his religious profile without mentioning that his belonging to the LGBT community and another one with his sexual orientation. The use of different spaces on social platforms may help to avoid potential conflicts.(Ciszek 2017).
CONCLUSION
Online technology is a complex subject whereby the advantages and drawbacks are widely discussed. Concerning social networks, they offer a multiplicity of possibilities to express individual feelings, reveal different identities and provide numerous platforms for open discussions. LGBTQ youth in particular, may choose to disclose or conceal their identities depending on how they manage and control the network settings.
REFERENCES
Alex Wagaman, M. (2016). Promoting empowerment among LGBTQ youth: A social justice youth development approach. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 33(5), 395-405. doi:http://dx.doi.org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.1007/s10560-016-0435-7
Boyd,. D(2018). “Everybody puts their whole life on facebook”: Identity management and the online social networks of LGBTQ youth. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6), 1078. doi:http://dx.doi.org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.3390/ijerph15061078
Ciszek, E. L., PhD. (2017). Advocacy communication and social identity: An exploration of social media outreach. Journal of Homosexuality, 64(14), 1993-2010. doi:http://dx.doi.org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.1080/00918369.2017.1293402
Cullen, A. L. L. (2014). Positive spaces: An ethnographic assessment of the influence of the internet on LGBT identity (Order No. 1564634). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1615400595). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1615400595?accountid=10382
Dishman, J. D. (1997). Digital dissidents: The formation of gay communities on the internet (Order No. EP58834). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1630099491). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1630099491?accountid=10382
Lucero, A. L. (2013). An exploration of social media use among multiply minoritized LGBTQ youth (Order No. 3565919). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1415872382). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1415872382?accountid=10382
Niman, K. (2017). Online social networking: The changing self, impression management and social control (Order No. 10602942). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1970460310). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1970460310?accountid=10382
Ross, A. (2012). Lesbian and gay male identity development and online communities (Order No. MR84365). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1081743064). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1081743064?accountid=10382
Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2016). A national study of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), and non-LGB youth sexual behavior online and in-person. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(6), 1357-1372. doi:http://dx.doi.org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.1007/s10508-015-0491-7
Hi MRugbur,
This is a very thought provoking conference idea, it’s refreshing to read something that looks at the positive aspects more so than the negative of online technology.
Your point about the coming out process online as easier and that people in the LGBTQ+ community having a space much more vast than ever before is something that is very uplifting to think about. I love the idea of an online space focused more about the uplifting and support of others rather than tearing them down for being who they are (of course i’m sure this still happens).
You point out a lot of important aspects positive and negative that influence this process of empowerment. I think what stuck out to me the most was your conclusion of the fact that people in this position have the power to control their identities in a space they feel comfortable in order to understand themselves more and like minded individuals around them.
Thanks, Casey.
Hi CSawbridge,
Thank you for the reply. As you went through the conference paper and as you have understood, my aim, was exactly to bring up a refreshing and positive discussion subject as there has been too much of negative perception about the LGBTQ+ community.
As for my conclusion, I focused on the LGBTQ+ youth people. However, from a personal point of view, i think that each and everyone has the power to control was they want the public to know about themselves.
Regards Greta.
Hello MRugbur
I really like your paper, it good a good development, and some good explanations. I was wondering when reading your paper, what are the negative side of “coming out” online is like. How people react to one of their close friend/relative identifies him/herself as a member of the LGBTQ community? I believe different party members, reacts differently and by extension having different effects on the person him/herself. You develop a bit about that but an example could have add some more depth to it.
Moreover, i really like your use of Bourdieu’s theory. His perspective on identity and identity creation stands right into the context of your paper. However, it would have been great if his ideas echoes in other parts of the paper. What could have been his perspective on the use of SM in identity creation? Is it a structuralist or constructivist?
Thanks and waiting for your reply,
William
Hello JFavory,
First of all, thank you for the paper’s appreciation. I did not develop more about the negative sides of “Coming out” as the goal set was to promote the positive sides of it. However, I totally agree with you that everybody reacts differently to this. I mean, we are humans, and it has been proven that humans cannot have the same reactions to things. In the same sense, it will surely not affect the person concerned on the same ways.
Furtherore, this is a very interesting question that you brought up based on Bourdieu’s Theory. Based on my research and what i understood of Bourdieu’s approach of social science, I would assume that Social Media identity creation would neither fall in the category of Structuralism nor in the category Constructivism but instead both point of view would have collide. For instance, through socail media, the human behaviour is determined by social stratification but also objectively governed by social reality.
Following, is an interesting article that i found and which speaks about the negative sides of coming out :
Keller, A. E. (2017). The experience of discrimination of LGBT populations and disclosure to family, siblings, and community (Order No. 10983882). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2101508470). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/2101508470?accountid=10382
Thanks Greta.
this is a great read as I am not a member of the LGBTQ community I did not realise the impact online technology has on the development of individuals identity and using as a platform to share their identity in a positive way. I also enjoyed how you discussed there are obvious positive and negative connotations with using social media platforms.
Hello SFerguson,
I am glad that you realized the impact made. Most often, people brings up the cons of social media platform. However, it the platforms has had great positive impacts. For instance, even though my paper focuses on the LGBTQ+ youth people, the online environment does noes not only affect the this community but everyone’s identity.
Follows is link to an article which brings up the impact of idetentiy creation through social media: Powers, C. J. (2017). The impact of cybervetting on job seekers’ social media use and identity creation (Order No. 10268650). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1888039504). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1888039504?accountid=10382
Thanks Greta
Hi MRugbur,
This is a nice piece of paper that talks about interesting topic. LGBTQ community is certainly considered as the minority in social group, I totally understand how hard it is for them to open up to others, because judgements are everywhere.
You mentioned that technology and online society could encourage heterosexual people to view LGBTQ community in a more positive way, why do you think so? It’s just as you said, different culture, beliefs, and value would create tension and conflict. People love to judge others, especially when they disagree with the way others live their life. Don’t you think that it would make the matter worse because these heterosexual people would harass LGBTQ community through online society.
I find your paper very interesting to read, but I notice that you have some grammar and wording mistakes; many a times, idem, untrue, etc. Instead of using the word “distinctive” account, “fake” account might sound nicer.
I agree, that sometimes people would create fake account to express themselves. The anonymity allows you to conceal your true self and let you express yourself more freely without having to fear that people will reject you in real-life (This is similar to what I discuss in my paper “The Impact of Online Gaming Society to Individuals’ Interaction and Offline Relationship Development”). Although people would not really know who you are, you can still feel their support, compassion. This is very important for people who feel little, because they will know that there are people out there who supports them. But how “real” do you think this connection is? The support that they have might only be there virtually, but when they want to talk to someone in real life, they realize that “oh wait, they don’t know who I actually am”.
Lastly, I’m not sure if you made a mistake or not, but I don’t really understand the part where you mention “context collapse” and “collusion”. You mentioned that context collusion is where different social group with same personalities join together, but also people with different personalities regroup together. Would help me if you could elaborate more for me, as I do not really understand that part.
Cheers!
Hello TDelphine,
I really appreciate as your comment is very constructive. Also, you brought up very interesting points and questions. To answer your first question, personally, not every heterosexual would go and search for more about the LGBTQ+ community; specially those who are against. Through the internet, informations about it becomes public. There are particular online newspaper which talks only about LGBT news. In that sense, where long ago nobody would have talk about it like these community never existed, people see that LGBT people are just as normal as heterosexual but only with different sexual orientations. Also, as mention in the paper, those belonging to the community themselves,feel safer that in real life and therefore, can voice their opinions and perceptions which could impact and make heterosexual think twice, hoppefully in a positive way.
Secondly, I agree with you that in sometimes, it happens that one can suffer from deception as he or she realizes that the virtual person with who they were sharing their personal things are not actually the same. However, anonymous apps allow people to find community and express their truths about whether they are concerned how coming out about their sexuality, gender identity, a stigmatized disease, or any number of issues where people worry they might be judged differently but still want to connect with others who share a similar struggle. The aim of these platforms are for individual to true and honest to others and to themselves. I am looking forward to read your piece of paper.
Thank you Greta
*Too add my previous comment,
I don’t really understand what the “gatekeepers” are in your paper, what exactly is it. Who process the monitoring data? Is it automated, or is there a person behind the screen? Do they have a set of rules to determine which online posts are appropriate and those that aren’t? If it’s a human, how does one ensure that this gatekeeper is working properly? Is there any possibilities of bias view? If this gatekeeper does not agree with the post, they would not want to post it. What happens with human rights where people can freely express themselves?
Sorry for all the questions! But it’s just so interesting topic 😀
Cheers!
This is my favourite paper i have read so far. I have read negative after negative papers on how social media is so harmful to our society, it is promising to see how it can have such a positive effects on some communities. I guess the internet isn’t just a way to connect with people in the LGBTQ community, but its a way to share experiences, grow, educate and feel as if you’re apart of a family. This is something I think the LGBTQ community that was prior to the internet really wish they had. I believe that social media and the internet shouldn’t be deemed as such a toxic part of technology, but a platform to create social ties, diversify and expand our social networks, alongside giving more people to opportunity to become more sociable than ever before. And the LGBTQ online community is a model example of just this.
Hi MRugbur,
This is a great paper and a lovely read! You have done well in highlighting a range of the advantages to the use of social media by members of the LGBTQ+ community! I was hoping you could expand on how “the ‘coming out’ process can prove to be smoother and easier.” Is this due to the way members of the LGBTQ+ feel more comfortable disclosing themselves in a situation that I imagine to be less intimidating when compared to a face-to-face conversation?
I particularly liked your discussion around the fact information shared online “may lead heterosexual individuals to change their look on LGBTQ” to develop “more compassion and comprehension on their part.” In line with this information, I think another positive aspect to the use of social media by the LGBTQ+ community is the opportunity for representation and the correction and challenging of assumptions made by heterosexual citizens. For example, a member of the LGBTQ on Instagram (@marrissaasalart) posts pictures of her artwork that depicts the loving and caring relationship between two women as a way of representing “the diversity of…marginalised couples in order to show that lesbians are greater than their given stereotype” (Asal, 2019) and to overcome their oversexualised representation in other forms of media. What are your thoughts on this?
Looking forward to your reply,
Thanks,
Devyn 🙂
You can find my paper at https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/05/active-now-how-web-2-0-allows-for-the-formation-of-online-communities-capable-of-initiating-change-through-activism/ , if you’d like to give it a read!
Hi MRugbur,
Your paper takes a good look at the positive impact social technologies have on the lives of LGBTQ people.
It’s really important these days, with the influx of social networking tools, that we ensure the majority of people are benefiting from it and it’s good to know that otherwise marginalised people are benefiting too.
You pointed out in your paper that identity revelation tends to correlate with a sense of well-being and that is just fantastic. Do you think this trend will continue? Do you think social technologies might catch up to the ways that people wish to represent themselves online and allow variations to names and self representation in the future?
Hi MRugbur,
This is a great paper overall and I liked the fact that it deals with the positive side of the internet. I also liked how you linked the concept of structuralism and constructivism with your argument. While I agree with your thoughts, I wonder if you acknowledge the fact that social media platforms can be detrimental to some LGBTQ people’s self-esteem and affect their identity. Is their a possibility that all the stigma attached to that community online, can have a effect their offline selves?
I am also including the link to my paper if you are interested. The paper argues that people who use social media, especially Instagram, tend to be less authentic.
https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/06/real-identity-and-authenticity-are-facades-on-social-networking-sites/
Hi MRugbur,
Your paper was a very interesting read for me as I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community and have still not revealed this to the majority of my offline and online social networks (this should be a safe space to disclose this because no one in this majority is or will be taking this unit).
I definitely agree with your points about how the contexts in which LGBTQ+ identity is revealed or hidden and the level of acceptance and supportiveness from the closest social networks (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) greatly influence the well-being of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
I am curious to know whether being connected to an online community of LGBTQ+ individuals has any correlation with being at less risk of experiencing hate crimes offline. I’d particularly be interested to know if the LGBTQ+ community are able to use online threats escalating in intensity that are directed towards a member of their community as a means of anticipating when someone could be a target of offline violence motivated by hate. When doing research for your paper, did you come across any literature that examined this?
My paper actually looks at another minority group (people with disability), but discusses how web accessibility issues are still hindering their ability to experience online community and therefore have a voice in the online realm. If you’d like to check it out, you can find it here:
https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/06/web-accessibility-issues-for-people-with-disability/
Looking forward to your reply!
Thanks,
Petra
Hey this was such an interesting read! I think because of networks like these online where they can create a safe space for LGBTIQ people, there is less isolation and people especially people who are just coming out and figuring out their sexual identity, feel somewhat less alone. Growing up as a gay kid, I used to wish that had this kind of access. So I feel hopeful for the future generation as they are allowed to have open and healthy conversations such as what you pointed out. Thank you for this paper.