This study discusses how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth come out about their sexual identity. It speaks about how coming out online and offline can be very different, whereas most youth come out as being part of the LGBTQ community online before they come out to the public. Most youth that has not publicly come out as part of the LGBTQ community will identify as heterosexual in public but personally as lesbian, gay or bisexual (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Prior research came up with 6 stages of the coming out process, the model includes stage one as identity confusion, then identity comparison, identity tolerance, identity acceptance, identity pride and identity synthesis or integration. Most of this model has been
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Five themes were noticed from new media, 1. access resources, 2, media identity, 3. find likeness, 4. coming out digitally, and 5. expand their identities formed online into offline life (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Findings showed that participants used new media to find information about their sexual orientation without the limitations you would find in offline life. Many were able to find social media that was exclusively for people of the LGBTQ community, where they could come and interact with each other and talk about their experiences. Many would read experiences others have had and find ways to battle the negativity that can come in their online and offline lives. This allowed youth to be themselves without expectations or pressure found in their offline lives (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Coming out online was said to be a helping hand in figure out how to come out publicly offline, online was a safe place for youth to be themselves without retaliation from peers or family. Online interaction gave many youth the confidence they needed to be okay with who they are sexually and said online media helped make the transition to coming out offline a lot easier (Craig, & McInroy, …show more content…
The hypothesis designed for this study was supported with the data obtained, the study showed how new media influences youth and their coming out processes (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). The data found from this study concludes that previous research should be taken into account with new media. Steps found in the six stage model can be explained and expanded on through the incorporation of media. Youth came out to strangers and other members of the LGBTQ community, as well as obtaining advice from media and online support groups, this supports the identity tolerance, acceptance and pride stages of six stage model (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Identity synthesis was also supported by individuals using their online lives to come out to parents in their offline lives. Researchers working with people of the LGBTQ community should understand the importance of positive influences that new media gives. Also, studies should incorporate new media into the coming out process of youth, to assist with identification and confidence making the transition from their online and offline lives easier (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). The message of this study is that new media is a large part of how LGBTQ individuals develop confidence, identify themselves, and find a community of peers like themselves that can influence their offline
Five themes were noticed from new media, 1. access resources, 2, media identity, 3. find likeness, 4. coming out digitally, and 5. expand their identities formed online into offline life (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Findings showed that participants used new media to find information about their sexual orientation without the limitations you would find in offline life. Many were able to find social media that was exclusively for people of the LGBTQ community, where they could come and interact with each other and talk about their experiences. Many would read experiences others have had and find ways to battle the negativity that can come in their online and offline lives. This allowed youth to be themselves without expectations or pressure found in their offline lives (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Coming out online was said to be a helping hand in figure out how to come out publicly offline, online was a safe place for youth to be themselves without retaliation from peers or family. Online interaction gave many youth the confidence they needed to be okay with who they are sexually and said online media helped make the transition to coming out offline a lot easier (Craig, & McInroy, …show more content…
The hypothesis designed for this study was supported with the data obtained, the study showed how new media influences youth and their coming out processes (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). The data found from this study concludes that previous research should be taken into account with new media. Steps found in the six stage model can be explained and expanded on through the incorporation of media. Youth came out to strangers and other members of the LGBTQ community, as well as obtaining advice from media and online support groups, this supports the identity tolerance, acceptance and pride stages of six stage model (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). Identity synthesis was also supported by individuals using their online lives to come out to parents in their offline lives. Researchers working with people of the LGBTQ community should understand the importance of positive influences that new media gives. Also, studies should incorporate new media into the coming out process of youth, to assist with identification and confidence making the transition from their online and offline lives easier (Craig, & McInroy, 2014). The message of this study is that new media is a large part of how LGBTQ individuals develop confidence, identify themselves, and find a community of peers like themselves that can influence their offline