Online spaces for LGBTQ+ communities have existed since the beginning of the internet. These spaces provided a safe place where individuals could explore their identities without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Many studies have shown that there is a disconnect between how one presents themselves online versus how they live their life in real life. This difference has been explored through various lenses such as social media, dating apps, pornography, and even video games. In this article, we will examine the reasons behind the performance of queerness online and its differences from lived experience offline.
Examples of Online Performance:
One example of online performance can be seen in dating apps such as Grindr or Tinder. Individuals may present themselves as more masculine or feminine than they are in real life to attract potential partners. They might also exaggerate their physical attributes, height, weight, age, and interests to increase their chances of finding someone compatible.
Some users choose to hide certain aspects of their identity while others create profiles that reflect a completely different persona than who they are in real life.
Another example is in the world of pornography. Many performers choose to portray themselves as more hypersexualized versions of themselves for viewers' entertainment. They may engage in acts that they would never do in real life due to personal preferences or safety concerns. This type of online performance allows individuals to explore fantasies that they cannot in their everyday lives.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide an opportunity for individuals to curate an image of themselves that differs greatly from reality. Users may post pictures and captions that showcase their best self-image, hiding flaws or imperfections. Some individuals use these platforms to showcase their activism or advocacy work but avoid sharing any information about their personal lives.
Video games have become increasingly popular among LGBTQ+ communities with titles like Overwatch and The Sims 4 allowing players to customize characters according to their gender and sexuality. These games allow individuals to escape into a safe space where they can express themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Many gamers still choose not to reveal their true identities even when playing these types of games.
The Disconnect Between Online Performance and Offline Life:
Despite the benefits of online spaces, there is a significant disconnect between how individuals present themselves online and their lived experience offline. One reason for this is that social media provides an opportunity for users to control what others see of them. It allows them to create an ideal version of themselves that they feel comfortable showing to others.
Some individuals may hide aspects of their identity such as mental health struggles or physical limitations that would affect how people perceive them in real life.
Another factor contributing to the disconnect is the pressure to perform for viewers on pornography sites. Performers are often expected to engage in acts that go beyond their comfort level for viewer satisfaction. This pressure can lead to feelings of shame or guilt if they do not meet those expectations, leading them to hide parts of themselves from their everyday lives.
There is a desire to keep certain aspects of one's identity private due to safety concerns. Some individuals may live in areas where homophobia and transphobia are prevalent, making it unsafe to be open about their identities. Others may have family members who do not support their LGBTQ+ identity, forcing them to maintain a facade online.
While online spaces provide a safe haven for many within the LGBTQ+ community, there is still a disconnect between performance and lived experience offline. Users must navigate this divide by balancing their need for representation with personal safety and authenticity. The internet has opened up new opportunities for expression and connection but requires caution when presenting oneself.
How does the performance of queerness online differ from its lived experience offline?
The performance of queerness can be understood as an expression of identity that is not limited to physicality or sexual orientation but encompasses personal experiences and preferences. In contrast, lived experience refers to the daily reality of being queer in a specific context, such as family, workplace, or community. The internet provides a space for queers to perform their identities in ways that may differ from how they present themselves in real life.