Twenty years of 'cyberqueer' : the enduring significance of the Internet for young LGBTIQ+ people

Brady Robards, Brendan Churchill, Son Vivienne, Benjamin Hanckel, Paul Byron

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

Abstract

Over the past 20 to 30 years, the Internet has come to serve as a key channel for communicating and connecting, but also engaging in civic participation. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer or questioning (LGBTIQ+) people, who continue to experience disproportionate health risks and high rates of discrimination (Leonard et al. 2012), the significance of the Internet as a social resource is further magnified (Gray 2009, Hanckel and Morris 2014). While digital social spaces have evolved, many of the motivations for using these platforms remain the same. Different platforms offer different opportunities to connect with queer peers and others, for discussing, documenting and exploring sexuality away from heteronormative spaces (Hillier et al. 2001, 2010, O’Neill 2014). From text-based ‘virtual’ worlds and discussion boards through to sites and apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tumblr, YouTube, Reddit, Tinder, Grindr and Her, the digital social media landscape is now more complex than ever. What new challenges and opportunities does this evolution present? A better understanding of digital engagement (and disengagement) is useful not only for researchers and platform designers but also for a broad range of social service providers, educators and policymakers who are routinely tasked with both the regulation and the support of young LGBTIQ+ people.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationYouth, Sexuality and Sexual Citizenship
EditorsPeter Aggleton, Rob Cover, Deana Leahy, Daniel Marshall, Mary L. Rasmussen
Place of PublicationU.K.
PublisherRoutledge
Pages151-167
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9781351214742
ISBN (Print)9780815379874
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • sexual minorities
  • homosexuality
  • bisexuality
  • minority youth
  • social media

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