**6. Discussion**

The aim of this study was to uncover how social media usage by SGMY during the period of identity concealment can contribute to the development of a resilient SGM-identity. This study used the following definition for a resilient SGM-identity: the ability to maintain a positive SGM-identity, and find resources to do so, living

*Developing a Resilient Sexual and Gender Minority Identity Online: The Importance of Social… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108208*

in a society where that identity is seen as norm-deviating. The empirical results showed that social media offers several possibilities for SGMY in developing a positive SGM-identity during the period of identity concealment. This study adds to the body of research on SGM-identity development through social media. This study also goes beyond it by bringing insights together with exploring SGM-identity development through a resilience framework. How the results relate to the development of a resilient SGM-identity will be discussed in this section, using the above definition as a guide. The discussion will end with practical implications, strengths and weaknesses of this study, and recommendations for future research.

#### **6.1 Social media as a resource**

Due to a lack of information, representation, and connections experienced offline, SGMY turn to social media to find labels, recognition, understanding, community, and to feel free instead of vigilant. Additionally, results show that through social media, SGMY can find places where they can be their true selves, before disclosing their SGM-identity to people in their offline environment. This finding shows that social media can offer identity development experiences during the period of identity concealment, as is shown in other studies as well [5, 15, 17, 20, 22]. Furthermore, this study offers new findings by showing that SGMY can develop a positive SGM-identity online before sharing this information with others offline. As online experiences are not necessarily reflected offline, a focus on social media usage by SGMY provides further support for D′Augelli's model [34] in which the fluidity of SGM-identity development is central. Furthermore, without social media, difficulties might be found in accessing to community—and with that community-based resilience—during the period of identity concealment, as it requires identification with a social network [44]. This study showed that with the bridging possibilities offered by social media, SGMY have access to community-based resilience before having to disclose their identity to people in their offline environment.

The possibility to have these experiences online is ensured by the social media affordance accessibility. The other affordances, anonymity and asynchronicity, provide safety and comfort in these online experiences. These findings build upon previous research [3, 19, 21, 22, 29]. With anonymity, SGMY can privately develop their SGM-identity and find support online, without a need for explanation or fear of judgment from people in their offline environment. This allows them to become comfortable with their identity, before having to share it with others, thus bridging the period of identity concealment. Asynchronicity can offer SGMY comfort in their online search as they are in control of with whom, what, and when they share information about themselves.

#### **6.2 Developing a positive SGM-identity**

Social media can promote a positive SGM-identity in several ways, reflected in an increase of SGM-identity acceptance, comfort, and pride. In the realization and confirmation of SGM-feelings feelings of being different and incongruence due to internalized expectations of hetero- and gender-normativity are diminished with information, representation, and connections found on social media. Additionally, the access to information on social media can accelerate the process of self-concept clarity for SGMY. Furthermore, the representation of diverse SGM-identities on social media can be considered vital for SGMY with less commonly known SGM-identities,

because knowledge and understanding of these identities are often more lacking in the offline environment. The above findings are in line with previous studies, showing the importance of information, representation, and connections for SGMY in developing self-concept clarity [15, 20, 35, 44].

Building upon findings from previous research on SGM-identity development through social media, it was found that information, representation, and connections can increase the self-esteem of SGMY through normalization and validation of SGMidentities, diminished feelings of loneliness, and increased feelings of pride and hope. This process reflects the increase of individual resilience [3, 17, 19–22]. Moreover, identifying with a label enables SGMY to become more secure in its identity. The SGM-identity can then be described as the foundation of who they are. This can eventually diminish the need to hold strictly onto that label, which can generate a freeing feeling. The influence of input through information, representation, and connections is supported by theories on developing self-concept clarity and positive self-esteem [16, 30, 31].

### **6.3 Coping with negativity in the offline environment**

Social media can be defined as safe spaces for SGMY because they allow them to create their own SGM-positive bubble, by following accounts and finding content where diversity is celebrated. With that, SGMY can use social media as an escape to a supportive community online, in order to cope with negativity in the offline environment. Previous studies have also found support for using social media as an escape [15, 44]. Additionally, an increased positive SGM-identity was found to result in SGMY being able to cope with (the risk of) negativity in their offline environment. This was portrayed in SGMY wanting to share their SGM-identity with people in their offline environment, despite possible risks of negativity. Additionally, similar to the findings of Craig et al. [15], it was found that finding community on social media, relates to wanting to fight back for this community, by educating people in the offline environment. This reflects a way of SGMY navigating the society in which their identity is seen as norm-deviating, for which willpower was found through social media.

#### **6.4 Practical implications**

Two practical implications can be formulated. First, studying the opportunities of social media leads to insights into the needs of SGMY growing up in society today. Indeed, the importance of having information, representation and connections, and the experienced lack thereof in the offline environment, shows that changes in the offline environment are needed. This could be done by incorporating more inclusive sex education in primary and high schools, in which SGM-identities, and the fluidity thereof, are represented. Additionally, more schools should have explicit safe spaces for the SGM-community, such as GSAs, where they can find belonging. However, it is not only the duty of schools to create more inclusive environments for SGMY, this responsibility needs to be recognized society-wide, from a local to a national level.

Second, it is important to emphasize the opportunities it offers, as a risk-based discourse on social media in research and society leads to a misrepresentation of social media, and with that stigmatization of social media users, which is undesirable [18]. Especially when already stigmatized people use it as a means to attain a positive identity [17]. Although the offline environment should be better aligned with the developmental needs of SGMY, social media can simultaneously still offer them

*Developing a Resilient Sexual and Gender Minority Identity Online: The Importance of Social… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108208*

opportunities that the offline environment cannot explained by the affordances of social media. Indeed, via social media, the SGM-community goes beyond the borders of cities and countries and introduces SGMY to community-based resilience and a supportive community worldwide.

#### **6.5 Strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for future research**

This study has several strengths and weaknesses. To start, a diverse sample based on age, sexual-, and gender identity was included in this study. With that, voices of those that are otherwise often underrepresented in research [7], were heard in this study, including asexual, pansexual, unlabeled, non-binary, and transgender youth. No cisgender males with a sexual minority identity participated in this study. To be more representative of SGM-people as a group, it is important to include their perspectives as well. The intention of this study, however, was not to make generalizable conclusions but to increase understanding of developing a resilient SGM-identity through of social media.

Furthermore, no attention was paid to intersections between SGM-identities and non-SGM-identities, such as race, and class. These intersections, however, might offer interesting insights as these identities intersect to create unique experiences for each individual, based on institutional power structures [26]. Thus, intersectionality of identities should be paid attention to in future research by selecting participants based on the intersections of identities. Another recommendation is to undertake a comparison study between two age cohorts of SGMY, to see whether the influence of social media has changed over time. Indeed, many participants articulated that they see changes between themselves and their younger siblings, regarding information, representation, and connections available in the offline environment. While interesting for future research, it, even more importantly, gives hope for future generations to know that they will find understanding and community, and feel free to be themselves, both online and offline.

### **7. Conclusion**

In this study, identity development of SGMY was studied through a framework of resilience. To do so, the term a 'resilient SGM-identity' was proposed: the ability to maintain a positive SGM-identity, and find resources to do so, living in a society where that identity is seen as norm-deviating. The aim of proposing this term was to better capture the dynamic nature of identity development. The results of this study show that this term indeed can be used to study the identity development of SGMY, given the obstacles they may experience due to society's persistent negative attitudes towards SGM-identities.

It was found that finding information, interaction, representation, and community on social media, helps SGMY develop self-concept clarity and positive self-esteem, resulting in a positive SGM-identity. Moreover, as a result of three affordances of social media, anonymity, asynchronicity and accessibility, this process can take place while SGMY have not yet come out to the people in their offline environment. This period of identity concealment is previously often characterized as a period of isolation, in which access to social and emotional support is limited, accompanied with the risk of developing psychopathology [4, 10]. Although it is not to be forgotten that parental and offline peer support and acceptance are important

for SGMY, with the help of social media the need for this might be delayed, allowing them time to come to peace with their SGM-identity. Furthermore, social media fostered individual- and community-based resilience, reflected in an increase of self-acceptance, identity pride, a sense of belonging and wanting to fight back for the SGM-community. These characteristics helped SGMY navigate their (hostile) offline environment, resulting in them wanting to be their authentic selves, despite the risk of adversity.

Overall, the online community on social media platforms can be identified as a crucial factor in the development of a resilient SGM-identity for SGMY. Being part of the online community can be seen as a feeling of belonging, a knowing that there are people who will support you unconditionally, rather than an active membership. The results showed that the online community played various roles in the lives of SGMY during different phases of their identity development process. During the formative phases of their identity, SGMY relies on the community for the confirmation and normalization of their feelings. Whereas later in time, they may feel the need to stand up for the community.
