Started from the Internet, Now We're Queer. The usage of SNS to explore, build and communicate queer identities

Abstract: This study has examined how young queer people are using SNS for exploring, buildingand communicating their identities and how this may differ in the different stages ofcoming out. The aim of the study has been to broaden the field with and obtain a deeperunderstanding of how a marginalized group in society can use social media as a part inexploring and building an identity. The study was conducted with a method of semistructuredpersonal in-depth interviews with a sample of five Swedish queer people in theage span of 23-27. The result was analyzed along previous research within the field andwith a theoretical perspective of culture, representation, performative acting and selfpresentation.The result showed that young queer people are exploring, building andcommunicating their identities in different ways that varies depending on where in theprocess of coming out they are. The result showed that it was common for the queerpeople in this study to use SNS while exploring and building their queer identities, but notas common when communicating it. There were both similarities and differences in thesefindings compared to previous research.