The development of social media has become an important part of how LGBTQ+ youth seek information about their sexuality. It provides a space to grow, learn and explore different identities they are restricted from in their offline environments. Social media platforms like Facebook have provided most LGBTQ+ youth with a sense of belonging through the use of community groups to allow for connections and a place where information can be accessed relatively anonymously. This paper does discuss identity; however, it focuses on the positive aspects of the online community, in particular Facebook and the support and information it provides young people. The method of research includes utilising peer-reviewed sources from journal articles and books. The findings of this paper show that social media like Facebook do provide positive outcomes for most LGBTQ+ youth’s well-being through fostering connection and understanding, which they may not receive through their offline social network. Social media will continue to be a significant part of how youths emerge into the LGBTQ+ community.

Keywords

LGBTQ+ youth, community, social media, Facebook, identity, safe space

Introduction 

The development of the World Wide Web has allowed for social media platforms to emerge with the ability to chat, search and share information (Han et al., 2019; Dehaan et al., 2013). Social media like Facebook has chat and post functions within the platform to allow for communication between people. For LGBTQ+ youth, this allows them to connect with others within the LGBTQ+ community. Through networked individualism, they can connect with people over space and time, keep up with information and meet new people outside their offline social circle. Networked individualism is densely knit groups that are formed by many weaker relationships (Hampton & Wellman, 2018). Sharing information through different geographical locations is easier than before and can be shared widely with a larger audience. Online social media platforms like Facebook have allowed LGBTQ+ youth to foster new connections through community groups and provide a safe space to partake in curating their own identity, due to the perceived anonymity on Facebook.

Social Media and Information Seeking 

Communities on social media are virtual spaces, allowing people with common beliefs and interests to interact (Barrett et al., 2016). Over time, the online community has demonstrated its importance by connecting the broader society and providing valuable information and support for its users (Craig et al., 2021). The way we receive information is now very different from the past as a result of technology. Social media platforms have become one of the important tools in which we access information, whether it is regarding health, sexualities, or other information (Craig et al., 2021). It is a place where people can seek knowledge about themselves or the world, without having to travel to the library for a book. It is harder for LGBTQ+ youth to access information about their identity due to discomfort and fear of others knowing (Dehaan et al., 2013). However, with information shared online, it is now easier to search for information by typing keywords into search bars. For example, LGBTQ+ youth can use Facebook to find LGBTQ+ groups with ease, without needing to worry about being seen. There is also a wide variety of LGBTQ+ community groups on Facebook, one of which is LGBTQ@Facebook, which allies or members of the community can join, but they can also choose to access information without joining. This can lower the stress for youth trying to seek sexuality-related information, due to the perceived anonymity online, which will be discussed later. LGBTQ+ groups on Facebook provide curated access to educational information, guiding youth with identity exploration, through giving advice, videos celebrating ‘coming out’, and other important LGBTQ+ information (Han et al., 2019). It is a safe space for most minoritised youth, where it is okay to be themselves, to explore, to ‘come out’ and to seek advice. This is an important reason why young people choose to find information online and seek online sources to manage their identity, rather than through offline spaces (Liang, 2019).

Identity Management of LGBTQ+ Youth 

Identity management is very important for LGBTQ+ who are just beginning the stages of exploration. This is because LGBTQ+ people are a marginalised group and are therefore more likely to be looked down upon and discriminated against as they do not fit into the heterosexual community. The rejection from their offline circles forces young people to seek support online (Lemke & Weber, 2017). Social media is, therefore, a way of escaping from the offline social environment that does not accept them. Facebook community groups, allow them to emerge into a group of people from the same community where there is more likely to be support, love and encouragement, through their toughest times (Han et al., 2019). 

Identity is very important as it defines who they are and being uncertain of their own identity in the long-term could lead to depression, loneliness, and other health issues (Lucero, 2017). The adolescence period is when teens begin to explore their sexuality. In this period, they must get the support that they need because struggling with identity is very challenging. Rejection and discrimination from family and friends only heighten stress and force them to keep their identity hidden (Lemke & Weber, 2017). There are several reasons why they choose not to discuss their sexuality with their offline social groups. These factors could include denial, fear of alienation, judgement and many more (Hiebert & Kortes-Miller, 2021). However, keeping a hidden identity for long periods is not beneficial for their well-being since they are hiding an important part of their identity from others and themselves. It is also difficult to identify LGBTQ+ people in the offline community since there may be limited members around them. Unlike offline environments, social media like Facebook allow LGBTQ+ youth to easily reach out for support from other peers that are also experiencing or have experienced confusion about identity. Online, they have a choice to share their sexuality with others, and choice is an important part of identity management. They can choose to express themselves through posts, private messages, or videos. Although the LGBTQ+ community is not fully accepted by society, they are more accepted than before due to online advocacies, increased exposure, and the distribution of LGBTQ+ related information (Matsick et al., 2020). 

Even though Facebook is not fully anonymous due to its requirement to have names displayed, it does have privacy settings that allow LGBTQ+ individuals to block certain people from their posts or only share information with a particular group of people (Lucero, 2017; Fox & Warber, 2015). This provides young people with a safe space, to feel more comfortable about posting and asking questions about their sexuality compared with offline settings.

Facebook as a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Youth 

The emergence of Web 2.0 has allowed for high levels of collaboration and communication through social media platforms as a result of its read-write nature (Tharp, 2010). On Facebook, there are many LGBTQ+ community groups where people can share their experiences and receive virtual support, which is especially important to those that are rejected by their offline circle. It provides a safe space where they can voice their concerns and receive advice from their community members, guiding them with identity exploration but allowing them to explore identity at their own pace. 

Most LGBTQ+ youths are drawn to online social networks due to the fear of being discriminated against by their offline community (Dehaan et al., 2013). The online environment acts as a wall to protect them from their offline world, due to the perceived anonymity online and the lack of geographical boundaries. Even though Facebook is not fully anonymous, it does allow LGBTQ+ youth to search for lots of information online without their friends and family finding out. According to a study conducted by Lucero, 2017, 75% of her participants have reported never being a victim of cyberbullying, which might indicate that online spaces are relatively safe and accessible for most LGBTQ+ youth, to participate and explore. Although online space is not always a great and loving space and can be a harmful and dark space to reside in, online platforms are shown to be important for most LGBTQ+ youth, because online spaces have allowed for a real sense of community to be felt. They are provided with a wealth of information and support, which has never been so accessible, with information written by educators and other LGBTQ+ people, to teach them about identities and experiences. It is a safe space for learning where LGBTQ+ youth can post about their concerns and connect almost instantly with allies or other members of the community (Lucero, 2017).

Facebook works to celebrate sexuality in many ways, such as the development of rainbow flags that allies and LGBTQ+ users can add to their profile photos. By doing this, the goal is to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community and potentially change the social views of people standing against it. The rainbow flag on Facebook demonstrates support, acceptance, and encouragement, to challenge the biased views we have toward non-heterosexual identities (Matsick et al., 2020). In addition to rainbow flags, LGBTQ+ members who have already ‘come out’ are also taking active steps to ensure new members are welcomed into a safe space as they begin to explore, emerge, and accept their identities (Matsick et al., 2020). They can provide young people with their experiences and knowledge, helping them become more comfortable with who they are.

Figure 1

LGBTQ+ Flag

Note. From Creative Commons, by Onanymous

Identity Disclosure

Due to the continual support from Facebook LGBTQ+ communities, young people eventually build up their confidence to take steps in identity disclosure. Social media allows for the construction of an online identity where individuals can curate their online presence (Lucero, 2017). They can do this by choosing details about themselves that they would like to present to others online, either to their online or offline communities. LGBTQ+ youth may choose to disclose certain information they feel comfortable sharing or choose not to share, keeping their online personality different from their offline selves (Lucero, 2017). Others might choose to ‘come out’ to their online or offline communities through Facebook since it is easier. A participant in the study conducted by Dehaan et al., 2013 stated that they felt more comfortable with online disclosure because they do not have to see the reactions of their friends and family. 68% of participants in the study felt more comfortable with online disclosure rather than offline (Lucero, 2017). LGBTQ+ youth can also reach a larger audience at a time, instead of having to gather up their courage to tell each person and then witnessing any possible negative reactions firsthand (DeHaan et al., 2013).

LGBTQ+ youth reveal their identities differently, either directly or indirectly through posting on their Facebook newsfeed or updating their sexual orientation (DeHaan et al., 2013). This helps create a more authentic self since they are no longer keeping their sexuality hidden. Hidden identities usually cause stress leading to negative psychological well-being and reduced self-esteem (McConnell et al., 2018). It is shown that LGBTQ+ youth who disclose their identity experience a more positive state of health compared to someone who conceals it (Taylor et al., 2014). LGBTQ+ youth might deal with their identities in different ways because of their offline social environment. Their family and friends’ acceptance and support play a huge role in whether they fear talking about their identity with others or are more open-minded about identity disclosure (McConnell et al., 2018). Support helps people build confidence in expressing themselves both online and offline, and Facebook communities are there for people who do not have that support.

Conclusion

Social networks provide LGBTQ+ youth with the opportunity to discover and perform different identities, as they go through one of their hardest times. Identity can be curated by the individual who can choose what others see, through actively filtering using privacy settings. Online, they can gain support from the community and access to valuable information. Facebook is a place where identity disclosure takes place as it is thought to be easier ‘coming out’ online than offline. It is also a less stressful way for LGBTQ+ youth to disclose identity efficiently to their offline network through single or multiple posts. Social media networks like Facebook continue to provide a safe space for these young individuals to foster community relationships and build confidence in their identity.

PDF Download: Conference Paper by Erica Lim

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