Out of the Bar and onto the Web

• In Event: 090 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 07. Queer Sexual Communities

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of social media, mobile applications, and internet technologies have shifted many forms of social interaction from physical spaces to an online environment. Drawing from 40 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with gay college-aged men between the ages of 18 and 27, this paper explores these changing patterns of social interaction among gay men. Many men report using social media to passively come out to their friends and family, while others actively monitor their social media accounts in order to continue to pass as straight to certain members of their social groups. Additionally, while more and more men turn to online environments to meet other gay men, this paper critiques popular assertions that these types of interactions are used mainly in the pursuit of sex; rather, most men report using the internet to seek out long-term relationships. Furthermore, this paper argues that the shift to online interaction has actually decreased public visibility of gay men, as public gay spaces are no longer required for gay men to meet one another. This paper critiques the idea that we have moved “beyond the closet,” discussing how the increase in online interaction may actually lead to more public passing by gay men. Issues of stigma avoidance and the maintenance of heterosexual privilege by gay men are also addressed.

Author

• Zachary Owens, University of Colorado-Boulder