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

This study has examined how young queer people are using SNS for exploring, building and communicating their identities and how this may differ in the different stages of coming out. The aim of the study has been to broaden the field with and obtain a deeper understanding of how a marginalized group in society can use social media as a part in exploring and building an identity. The study was conducted with a method of semistructured personal in-depth interviews with a sample of five Swedish queer people in the age span of 23-27. The result was analyzed along previous research within the field and with a theoretical perspective of culture, representation, performative acting and selfpresentation. The result showed that young queer people are exploring, building and communicating their identities in different ways that varies depending on where in the process of coming out they are. The result showed that it was common for the queer people in this study to use SNS while exploring and building their queer identities, but not as common when communicating it. There were both similarities and differences in these findings compared to previous research