Social media: a safe ground for gay people

A survey from UK government shows that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are more interested in social media than heterosexuals.

3% of the survey participants which were 16 to 29 years old are confident about their LGB identity, but for others from 30 to 60, the number is only 1.3%. “Possibly it is because younger people are more positive than the older to do the survey,” said the investigator.

89.5% of LGB interviewees are social media users. For heterosexuals, the number is 70.1%. Based on the result, LGB people are more interested in using social media.

(Source: www.gov.uk) LGB (Blue), Heterosexuals (Orange)

Homosexuality is still a taboo topic in many countries, like China. Same-sex relations were treated as mental illness until the year of 2001 in China. Although homosexuality is not totally accepted, the group keep expanding which can also be seen as a huge breakthrough.

Homosexuals are longing to be concerned and publish their own views to protect themselves on the media. In addition to traditional media platform like TVs, radios, social media becomes a main place for homosexuals to speak naturally.

“Many homosexual people choose another city far away from home to escape from their families and the stress gave by their relatives. So that parents can only nag on phones. Especially in China, holidays for the Spring Festival become a perfect timing for parents to push their children to get marriage. Many of their friends have already found their partners and have own children. During that time, homosexual people become more sensitive and lonely”, said a leader of one Chinese homosexual group.

Social media becomes a vital tool for homosexual people to look for their mates, and the members of the group keep increasing. It seems that social media is a safe ground to speak for themselves. Under the shelter of the anonymous network, they cling together to protect own rights. In January 2013, a gay boy suicide because he could not stand his mom’s stress and felt guilty to let his parents down. He posted the story of his experience on Sina Weibo. After his death, the letter has been extensive spread of social media. Some parents of homosexual people wrote a letter publicly to the society and asked for respect for those gay people. Here are the excerpts of the letter.

“We ask all the parents to understand and accept their gay children. It is not something wrong, even guilt to love a same sex person. Do not hurt them by your family affection. Give respect first if you really love them”.

Social media helps gay people share experience to make their stories known by more people. Also, social discussion about the question on social media is increasing. For instance, to consider whether same sex marriage should be legalized.

Social media is a tolerant place for gay people to let them being understood. A hot discussion is raising on social media to change the living environment of gay people. Social media platform offers more chance to communicate, more space to accept, more patience to give, more respect to show. With the promotion of social media, same sex marriage is appealed to be legalized.