Investigating
Social Support and Heteronormativity in an Online Lesbian Community
Charlotte Jones
PhD
Sociology and Social Policy
Myfanwy Davies,
Senior
Lecturer in Social Policy,
Abstract
Computer-mediated
communication (CMC), offers new spaces and opportunities for sexual minorities.
This nethnographic (net-ethnographic) study explored forms of social support
among self- identified lesbian women within a closed, online community and
sought to trace what kinds of identifications it might afford.
While most
interactions were positive, referrals to experts outside the group were rare.
Advice given reflected conservative social attitudes to relationships and
family commitments. We consider the content and reception of a series of memes
- including those objectifying women, some consolidating ethnic and social
hierarchies alongside representations of empowerment using symbols from the
off- line world.
We argue
that dominant cultural structures filter through to the online group, despite
its having been formed to provide a space to foster alternative identities. The
choice to participate in a closed, online group may enhance lesbian women’s
identification - and provide support - but may also depoliticise lesbian
identity.
Keywords
Social support, lesbian identity, heteronormativity, CMC,
ethnography, memes, female agency, Facebook.
