Channels produced by LGBT+ YouTubers: gender discourse analysis

Authors

  • Marian Blanco-Ruiz
  • Clara Sainz-de-Baranda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS0001386

Keywords:

LGBT , social media, YouTube, gender identity, gender stereotypes

Abstract

YouTubers are idols, and influence millions of people who follow their channels every day. These new media stars, born in transmedia, create their own content outside the major corporations. Across the millions of YouTube channels, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersexual and Queer (LGBTIQ or LGBT+) YouTubers are gaining more young followers who identify with their content and, also, are able to have direct contact with these YouTube “stars”. The objective of this research is to explore and analyse the content of the YouTube channels of the most popular LGBT+ YouTubers among Spanish young people and to assess whether there are gender biases in their content. The results show that content created by these YouTubers is more diverse than mainstream channels, with content ranging from personal stories to bullying. In spite of this, these channels continue to reproduce some gender stereotypes.

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Published

2018-09-01

How to Cite

Blanco-Ruiz, M., & Sainz-de-Baranda, C. (2018). Channels produced by LGBT+ YouTubers: gender discourse analysis. Observatorio (OBS*). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS0001386

Issue

Special issue on The co-option of audiences in the attention economy

Section

Articles

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