Within the vast and intricate web of the internet lies a vital thread of support for the LGBTQIA+ community: social media. Navigating from one webpage to another, each platform has guided us in understanding ourselves deeply, providing a sense of validation and belonging in the queer experience. However, the boundless expanse of the digital space can be overwhelming to explore, as there are hidden dangers lurking between its crevices.
Under the scepters
Before the widespread adoption of the Internet, “coming out” and living openly as part of the LGBTQIA+ community were often fraught with difficulty. Traditional social norms and constructs frequently hindered us from truly understanding and embracing our true selves.
The arrival of the Internet has changed that. More than just a platform, social media provides a space where we can explore our identities freely, often under the safety net of anonymity. This anonymity allows fellow queer individuals to express themselves without fear of retribution, reducing their exposure to offline stigma and discrimination. Beyond safety, the culture of authenticity cultivated within these digital communities empowers queer youth to connect meaningfully with others who share similar identities and experiences.
Moreover, social media has become a crucial forum for discussing topics that are often stigmatized or avoided in offline settings. These include seeking dating advice for same-sex relationships, asking questions about sexual health, sharing personal experiences about gender transition, and exploring journeys of self-discovery and acceptance. In fact, many turn to these online spaces precisely because they lack trusted sources or support networks in their immediate surroundings.
For instance, a 2022 American study found that LGBTQIA+ youth often seek sexual health information in digital spaces that are not explicitly designed for health education. For them, these platforms do not only offer facts but also the lived experiences of others, allowing us to navigate complex questions about our bodies and identities.
Another study in the United States showed that 44 percent of LGBTQIA+ individuals aged 15 to 24 feel more comfortable being out online than in person. The physical distance and control over blocking harmful content make online environments safer and more welcoming. By receiving supportive messages and empowering comments online, queer people find affirmation. These platforms also highlight the importance of not only showing tolerance but also acceptance—to embrace them wholeheartedly so as not to foster a culture of hatred and stigma in the digital space.
The shadows cast
But freedom online may also be conditional and fragile. Within minutes, these spaces can turn hostile.
Surveys in 2021 have shown that LGBTQIA+ youth are nearly three times more likely to experience cyberbullying than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This disparity emphasized the heightened vulnerability of queer youth in digital spaces. In addition, studies have linked heavy social media use and dependency on these platforms with increased feelings of loneliness and sensitivity, poorer academic performance, sleep deprivation, and poorer mental health.
Discrimination and homophobia online often are linked toward these negative effects of social media use because of how the animosity online allows individuals to say anything they want, no matter how harsh, without punishment. While scrolling through our feeds, it is easy to find targeted harassment toward the LGBTQIA+ community, including slurs, doxxing, and tone-deaf “jokes.” This stream of hate is not only mentally exhausting, but it can also warp our perception of others.
Another unfortunate problem experienced by other individuals of the community is being “outed” online. “Outing” is when someone shares another’s sexual orientation or gender identity without consent. This can lead to severe real-world consequences as the involuntary “outing” heightens risks of physical harm, family rejection, and mental health challenges. This loss of privacy and autonomy can have long-lasting psychological effects for those who are not ready and are not in a safe environment.
Compounding these problems are hate speech, algorithmic bias, and censorship that disproportionately affect queer content, creators, and the individuals who interact with them. The fact that homophobia is still prevalent despite the progressive views of our generation—with information readily available online to better understand the community—makes me think about what others say behind closed doors about my identity and gender expression.
If being frank, social media platforms have failed queer users. Instagram and TikTok, for instance, have been shown to delete or suppress LGBTQIA+ content at higher rates compared to other material. Algorithmic recommendations also amplify harmful content that targets queer users, making these online spaces feel unsafe and exclusionary. The top social media platforms used especially by youth have been deemed effectively unsafe for LGBTQIA+ individuals in a 2021 report by GLAAD.
The policies on these platforms are vague and lack clear protection for gender-diverse users, and the efforts made by platforms to regulate hate speech and other discriminatory content remain subpar. The lack of transparency and accountability leaves many LGBTQIA+ users vulnerable to cyberbullying and their voices silenced in the echoing anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric online.
All these distressing events reveal a sobering truth: even in supposedly “safe” online spaces, queer users are often left to fend for themselves. I could not begin to imagine what individuals who receive homophobic remarks feel and how it affects their mental health. The rampant homophobia endangers LGBTQIA+ youth as they navigate self-expression and exploration online, already in an attempt to protect themselves from offline discrimination. This hostility reflects real-world experiences but is oftentimes amplified by the veil of anonymity.
Looking for the rainbow after the storm
Despite its drawbacks, the digital prism still offers moments of solidarity and connection. However, its policies must be reformed to fight against hate speech and discrimination, address outing and the associated privacy violations, and mitigate bias in algorithms.
While online environments foster a sense of safety and belonging, they cannot replace real-world change. Digital spaces are merely temporary avenues to express ourselves and find community, as they lack the human connection we get from interacting with people in person. Social interaction with the community is vastly different from pixels on a screen.
A deeper relationship with the community feels like a deeper relationship with myself. This can only be achieved if we join the decades-old battle we still fight for our rights and identity beyond our screens. There would no longer be a need for safe spaces because we are not plagued by the thought that we might be discriminated against, harassed, or be outcast just for being who we are.
It is in times of Pride Month when we celebrate and acknowledge the queer experience and our diverse identities, that we also reflect and fight for a world where sexual orientation and gender identity does not determine how someone is treated. At its core, the LGBTQIA+ community hopes for the freedom to live authentically everyday—with security, dignity, and pride.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s June 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJune2025.
