Digital anthropology is an exciting field that has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to shed light on emergent queer practices in virtual and augmented environments. By using digital tools to study human culture and behavior, researchers are able to gain valuable insights into how people form communities and interact with each other online. This can lead to greater understanding of how different forms of belonging can arise from shared interests, identities, and experiences. One important aspect of this is the concept of "virtual queerness," which refers to the ways in which individuals express their gender, sexuality, and identity through digital means such as social media, dating apps, and video games. This paper will explore some examples of virtual queerness and discuss how they might be studied through digital anthropology techniques.
One example of virtual queerness is the "trans-formative" community on Second Life. In this online world, users create avatars that allow them to explore different aspects of their identity without fear of judgment or discrimination. For many transgender people, this provides a safe space to express themselves freely and connect with others who share similar experiences. Through digital ethnography, researchers have been able to observe how members of the trans-formative community use language, dress code, body movements, and other cues to communicate their identities and build relationships. Another example is the rise of gaymer subculture within gaming communities. Gaymers use video games to express their sexuality and connect with others who share similar interests. Digital ethnographers have examined how gaymers use jargon, memes, and gamer culture to create a sense of belonging and solidarity with each other.
Digital anthropology also has implications for how we understand new modes of belonging in augmented reality environments like VRChat. Here, users can create customized avatars and interact with each other in immersive 3D spaces. Some researchers suggest that these interactions could lead to new forms of intimacy and connection that are difficult to replicate in real life. By studying these interactions using digital tools, we may gain insights into how humans form bonds and build communities even when physical distance is a barrier.
Digital anthropology offers exciting possibilities for understanding emergent queer practices in virtual and augmented environments, as well as how they shape our lives both online and offline.
How might digital anthropology illuminate emergent queer practices in virtual and augmented environments, and what new modes of belonging could arise?
While virtual and augmented reality technologies have been used by the LGBTQ+ community for decades, they have only recently become more accessible due to advancements in technology. Digital anthropologists can study how these new spaces are being used and adapted by individuals to create new modes of belonging. Through observation and analysis, they may be able to identify patterns that shed light on the potential impacts of these technologies on identity formation, group dynamics, and cultural norms.