“I plan to be a 10”: Online Literacy and LBGT Students Power Point presentation by Melanie Lahr

Questions author aims to answer in his research project: How do online resources and communities offer support and opportunity for people coming out of the closet and into a larger community? (p 74) How do online resources and communities offer support and opportunity for people coming out of the closet and into a larger community? (p 74) Do young people today rely more on online resources than on face-to-face resources as they work through issues of sexual orientation and the coming-out process? Do young people today rely more on online resources than on face-to-face resources as they work through issues of sexual orientation and the coming-out process?

Definition of “Resources” in “I plan to be a 10” Resources are “more than a deposit of information and advice; for someone looking for answers, a friendly ear or the simple chance to express oneself can be as valuable a resource as any list of phone numbers or useful books” (p 77). Resources are “more than a deposit of information and advice; for someone looking for answers, a friendly ear or the simple chance to express oneself can be as valuable a resource as any list of phone numbers or useful books” (p 77).

Research Method A survey was posted online and invitations to participate were distributed electronically via news groups, MOO spaces, chat rooms, etc. A survey was posted online and invitations to participate were distributed electronically via news groups, MOO spaces, chat rooms, etc. Section A asks for basic information (gender, age, race, state of residence, etc.) Section A asks for basic information (gender, age, race, state of residence, etc.) Section B lists 12 types of resources, e.g. Section B lists 12 types of resources, e.g. basic info about homosexuality, basic info about homosexuality, info about nat’l LBGT issues and politics, info about nat’l LBGT issues and politics, advice and counseling about coming out. advice and counseling about coming out. For each resource type, respondents indicated how valuable (5 point scale) online, campus-based, and community versions had been for them. For each resource type, respondents indicated how valuable (5 point scale) online, campus-based, and community versions had been for them.

Survey Results 1. Basic info about homosexuality 2. Info about local LGBT resources 3. Info about health issues (including safe sex and AIDS) 4. Info about national LGBT issues and politics 5. Advice and counseling about coming out to parents/friends 6. Advice and counseling about relationships 7. Advice and counseling about health issues (including safe sex and AIDS) 8. Contact with other LGBT people 9. Opportunities to meet socially with other LGBT people 10. Opportunity to express self on LGBT issues 11. Opportunity to express self freely as LGBT person 12. Opportunity to connect with a larger LBGT community

How do online resources and communities offer support and opportunity for people coming out of the closet and into a larger community? Able to be self; express identity Able to be self; express identity Helped realize that they are LGBT Helped realize that they are LGBT Sped up coming out process Sped up coming out process Help build confidence Help build confidence Resources act as rehearsal for real life (coming out, socializing etc) Resources act as rehearsal for real life (coming out, socializing etc) Resources act as support group- can help avoid depression Resources act as support group- can help avoid depression Can express self without feeling imposing (who wants to read it can, whoever doesn’t want to doesn’t have to) Can express self without feeling imposing (who wants to read it can, whoever doesn’t want to doesn’t have to) According to author, online resources have three major uses for LGBT that are coming out: According to author, online resources have three major uses for LGBT that are coming out: 1. Offer information 2. Enable them to explore identity 3. Provide an audience (p 78)

What attracts LGBT people to online resources? Two main features: Two main features: 1. Anonymity 2. Safety (pp 78) These two features tie in together. Anonymity has given some the courage to come out of the closet online and freely express themselves, whereas they might have feared prejudice from people in coming out of the closet in person. The anonymity of the internet and communicating through computers create a safe space where LGBT don’t have to worry about physical violence when coming out. These two features tie in together. Anonymity has given some the courage to come out of the closet online and freely express themselves, whereas they might have feared prejudice from people in coming out of the closet in person. The anonymity of the internet and communicating through computers create a safe space where LGBT don’t have to worry about physical violence when coming out.

Limitations of the Research Author admits “the 75 respondents constituted a highly self-selected group” (p 78). Author admits “the 75 respondents constituted a highly self-selected group” (p 78). Respondents are answering online so obviously are privileged enough to have access. Since respondents are online more probable that they may favor online resources. Notes at the end that “people with the least access to technology…are already those with the least power to effect change; ‘they come from families who attend the poorest schools in the country; and they attend schools with the highest population of students of color” (pp ). Notes at the end that “people with the least access to technology…are already those with the least power to effect change; ‘they come from families who attend the poorest schools in the country; and they attend schools with the highest population of students of color” (pp ). On questionnaire the author does ask for “Race/Ethnicity” (p85) of respondent. I think he could have included some sort of analysis of LGBT of color and access to technology.

Websites Mentioned in “I plan to be a 10” Digital Queers (under construction Digital Queers (under construction Queer Resource Directory Queer Resource Directory Queer Resource Directory Queer Resource Directory Rainbow Query Rainbow Query Rainbow Query Rainbow Query Source for this article: Woodland, Randall " 'I plan to be a 10': Online Literacy and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students," Computers and Composition, Vol. 16, No. 1 (1999): Available Online from ScienceDirect Elsevier.