Coming out in black and white: A thematic analysis of coming out stories on YouTube

Abstract

For members of the LGBT community, coming-out is a pivotal moment in their lives. Expressing to their family their sexual orientation is an experience that could change their lives forever. Members of this community must also navigate other intersections, such as race and ethnicity to assess how these communities will perceive their sexuality. The social media platform YouTube has given LGBT youth the ability to come-out in a creative and safe way. This project's aim is to determine the similarities and differences between queer communities of color and queer white communities when coming out through YouTube videos. Through a thematic analysis of 16 videos, using codes developed from Cass's Homosexual Identity Development Model, results showed that Black and White LGBT YouTubers, aged 18 to 25, developed acceptance of their sexuality in similar ways, and that racial identity did not play a role in the coming out process.