Work

LGBTQ Visibility Measured Consistently and Persistently in US Twitter Bios from 2012 through 2023

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: LGBTQ visibility is an often discussed but rarely quantified concept. Here we define visibility as the prevalence of active social media accounts with an LGBTQ signifier in the profile bio and measure the prevalence of such accounts consistently and persistently at daily resolution over twelve years in the United States. We found that prevalence for all LGBTQ signifiers increased. The term ‘gay’ grew most rapidly. Accounts with LGBTQ signifiers were especially visible on days corresponding to political or violent events. The rainbow flag emoji also increased in prevalence, including a notable ratchet each June (Pride Month). This work is a case study in ipseology. Social scientists should embrace ipseology as a new opportunity to observe how people describe their selves to a public audience.

Source: Journal of Quantitative Description Digital Media

DOI: 10.51685/jqd.2024.017

Authors: Jason Jeffrey Jones, Irissa Cisternino

Institution: Stony Brook University

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Science Foundation