Gender Identity in the Digital Age: Understanding the Interplay Between Social Media Communities and Gender Expression for the Gender Nonconforming Öffentlichkeit

Abstract

Social media has emerged as a powerful space for self-exploration, identity formation, and community engagement. This study examines the role of online communities and personalities in shaping gender identity and expression for the gender nonconforming, focusing on how individuals navigate, construct, and negotiate their gender identity within these virtual spaces. Expanding on Darwin’s concept of "doing genderqueer,” this research utilizes a mixed-methods approach to recognize the role of social media communities and personalities alongside how social media communities and personalities shape one’s understanding of gender nonconformity. Findings suggest that social media communities and personalities play educational and affirming roles for gender-nonconforming individuals, with communities playing a larger role compared to personalities. Similarly, such interactions from the gender nonconforming community act as a potential reminder of earlier gender questioning, contributing to their identity formation. However, findings also suggest that social media platforms act as reinforcers of societal norms, often limiting the reach of gender-nonconforming content and communities. This research contributes to ongoing discussions regarding gender, identity, and technology, highlighting the constantly evolving relationship between self-exploration and digital communities within contemporary society.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements…………………………………………….………………………….….…....

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..……...…..2

Literature Review………………………………………………………………………..……...….5

           The Evolution of Gender Discourse                                                                           6

Negotiating Gender Identity in a Binarily Gendered World                                       10

The Rise of Social Media in Gender Expression and Identity Formation                12

Methods………………………………………………………………………………..……...…....15

           Research Design                                                                                                           16

                       Quantitative Research—Survey                                                                 17

                       Qualitative Research—Interviews                                                               19

           Ethical Considerations                                                                                             20

Results………………………………………………..………………………………....…..…......21

           Quantitative Research—Survey                                                                                 21

           Qualitative Research—Interviews                                                                            29

                       Social Media as a Resource                                                                             30

                       Social Media as a Connector                                                                          33

           Unexpected Findings                                                                                                   37

                       Social Media as a Reminder                                                                             37

                       Social Media as a Reinforcer of Societal Norms                                          38

Discussion And Conclusion……………………………………………………………………....43

           Discussion                                                                                                                        43

           Conclusion                                                                                                                       44

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Sociology
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Sociology, General Gender Studies GLBT Studies
Stichwort	identity construction gender nonconformity social media gender expression
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Irene Browne, Emory University
Committee Members	Emorja Roberson, Emory University Tameka Cage Conley, Emory University Timothy Dowd, Emory University

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