Research Proposal
Building Personal Identities within a Community
The main objective of my research is to determine the overall global impact that new communication technologies will have on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities across the world. To really focus in on my particular areas of interest, I will break the research down into specific categories:
1. Sense of Identity – There is no universal definition for what it means to be LGBT and it is unfair to assume that everyone uses a “westernized” model as the standard. If we walk around with the labels that other people pin on us, how do we ultimately create an identity for ourselves and what does it mean to be LGBT within different societies?
2. Sense of Community – Often, it is hard as a member of the LGBT community to feel accepted into the rest of society. “Virtual” communities are a great way to create new support systems because they allow us to interact with people who share the same interests, ideas and values. What are LGBT people doing to create these new communities and how do they interact with each other?
3. Personal Activism – The fight for freedom and equality takes on many different forms. One of the most important ways to participate in social justice movements is to become involved in activism. What does it mean to be an activist and in what ways are LGBT activists using new communication technologies?
4. Niche Marketing – Recent trends in advertising indicate that mainstream companies are now specifically targeting the LGBT consumer. What type of impact does “mainstreaming” have on the LGBT community and what message is being sent to majority consumers?
I feel that it is extremely important to raise the level of awareness that the general public has about various LGBT communities. Day in and day out, sexual minorities face many obstacles because of perceived sexual orientation and are often subjected to multiple oppressions. As a lesbian, a veteran of the armed forces and the executive director of a nonprofit organization, I feel that I can offer not only insight, but also a unique perspective to these issues.
Here are some of the keywords that will be used in my research: “LGBT advertising”, “LGBT social movements”, “LGBT communities”, “online activism” and “mainstreaming”.
Title: International Lesbian and Gay Association
Web address: http://www.ilga.org/index.asp
Brief description: This site includes information about LGBT movements across the world and acts as a forum for activists to participate in the fight for equality. It relies heavily on the participation of member groups and international media.
Title: The Commercial Closet
Web address: http://www.commercialcloset.org/cgi-bin/iowa/index.html
Brief description: This site offers a collection of advertisements that have been targeted specifically at the LGBT community. It gives detailed information about the company, publication date, the product and the medium that was used.
Title: Planet Out
Web address: http://www.planetout.com/
Brief description: This site contains the latest news, politics, entertainment, fashion trends and places of interest while serving as a forum for building communities.
Title: International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Web address: http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/
Brief description: This site presents information about human rights violations from all over the world. The organization primarily focuses on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV status.
Title: Amnesty International USA - OUTfront
Web address: http://www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/index.do
Brief description: This site provides the latest reports and publications that deal specifically with international LGBT issues. It focuses on legislative action and gives information on how to get involved.
1 Comments:
This looks like a great research project. I can't wait to read more as you continue to develop it!
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Don't Forget the Rest of Us
The emergence of new global communication technologies will forever change the way we interact as a society. What was once a medium accessible only to the computer savvy has now opened its doors to the general public. The introduction of user-friendly e-mail, chat rooms, web sites and weblogs has created a storm with new communities springing up all over the “virtual” map, but who is being left behind?
Those of us who are fortunate to have access to these technologies are no longer held back by the identities created for us in a socially constructed society. In the real world, our identities are often put on us by others and are based solely on the preconceived notions of what it means to be a certain sex, gender, race, sexual orientation, class, religion, age, etc. In the virtual world, we are represented solely by our minds and creativity. There is a space for all of us to be heard and we are allowed to voice our opinions, feelings, and ideas in any way that we want without the fear of stepping beyond our “roles” in society. I can think of no better way to do this than with a weblog.
According to Rebecca Blood, “Free-style blogs are nothing less than an outbreak of self-expression. Each is evidence of a staggering shift from an age of carefully controlled information provided by sanctioned authorities (and artists), to an unprecedented opportunity for individual expression on a worldwide scale. Each kind of weblog empowers individuals on many levels.” (weblogs: a history and perspective, Rebecca Blood)
With the click of the button, we are allowed to transport ourselves to places unimaginable, meet people we never thought could exist and, in a small way, allow diversity into our lives. Weblogs are a great way for us to share our opinions and to learn about people, places and things much different from what we already know. At the same time, we are able to build new communities and support systems while focusing our energies on the people and things we find most interesting.
These new “virtual” communities are nothing like we’ve ever seen before because they are transnational. In a sense, they exist by virtue of common interests and influences and are not at all regulated by the barriers created by political tensions, geographic locations or economic hardships.
One of the things I am greatly interested in is the increased visibility of social movements in underdeveloped countries. It is true that social movements here in the United States, such as the women’s rights movement, the civil rights movement and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights movement have greatly influenced the far corners of the world, but by how much? It is incorrect to assume that movements in the Third World are a recent phenomenon and were primarily ignited by “westernized” movements. A more reasonable explanation of the increased visibility would be cultural globalization and the advancement and impact of new global communication technologies.
By doing some research, I have been able to find some really good weblogs that deal specifically with LGBT politics and social movements. As a sexual minority and a veteran of the armed forces, this is something that is really important to me. Josh Michael’s blog contains links to all the top LGBT news stories from around the world. QueerFilter allows you to search for personal blogs by state, country, language, gender and/or sexual orientation.
Sexual minorities are often pushed to the margins of society in varying degrees, but with access to new communication technologies, no one has to be left behind. LGBT Americans have to deal with the prospect of an anti-gay federal marriage amendment, but other sexual minorities around the world have to deal with a crime punishable by death if their orientation is found out. Often, finding a community that is truly accepting of us is a difficult thing to do in the real world, but weblogs just might be a way to make a space of our own.
2 Comments:
Hi, Michelle!
I liked your blog and reseach proposal very much.
I thought it might be of you rinterest to know that gay, bisexual and transgender rights are being violated in my country, Belarus. The only one non-profit organization, supporting gays and lesbians, "Lambda" was banned by the Government. The magazine with the same name was denied in the official registration and distribution. Only global communication technologies help Belarusian gays and lesbian to share information and connect with other countries.
Here are some links, if you are interested:
http://www.apagay.com/index-e.php
http://www.belarus-misc.org/bel-gay.htm
http://www.gay.ru/english/travel/belarus/orgs.htm
I really enjoyed reading this piece, which discussed the emergence of new global communication technologies and their impact on the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) movement. I also used the pointing and center of gravity response as well as summary and voice strategies of revising as discussed in Revising with Feedback.
This is obviously a subject that is often skirted, and it’s about time that someone put the information out there. Your method is direct and engaging. Not only are you a fearless writer, Michelle—you are a great communicator. You stated that one of your concerns was that you might not “present in a clear and concise manner” exactly what you are feeling and thinking. It is clear to me that you put much thought and effort into your piece. Though you are a self-proclaimed procrastinator (as am I), I didn’t feel that while reading. Your content was easy to read and did not at all seem unorganized or hastily written. You have a clear thesis and purpose, which shows an appropriate amount of planning. Your text is well written and both grammatically and structurally correct, which denotes careful drafting and revision. In the end, when I ask myself “what is she trying to say? Is there something beneath the surface?” I can easily answer those questions. Your agenda is not hidden, so there is no need to go back and read repeatedly.
The beginning paragraph asks a question, “Who is being left behind?” leaving the reader with the desire to read on. It’s an effective “grabber” and serves its purpose fully. It is followed by the not so subtle reminder that we live in a socially constructed society and people are judged by sex, gender, race, and sexual orientation. People often try to ignore what is apparent in their lives because it is easier for them; you throw caution to the wind and say, “This is me and this is my life. We all live together, so this is a part of your life.” It is clear in your writing that this is a subject close to your heart, which I think is a good thing. It’s so obvious when a writer is merely writing a required piece and feels nothing personal and has no real attachment.
You introduce the types of communication technologies that are enabling the minority to be treated respectfully and equally. You specifically discuss the weblog as a medium where people can express themselves and step beyond the roles given to them by society. This is backed up with sources and examples, which adds validity to your essay. You discuss in detail how this is a positive trend and how it can also help the visibility of social movements in underdeveloped countries. You are a writer who truly wants to help others—who wants to spread a message globally, not just locally. That is the type of writer/communicator that is most likely to create change.
Christy Kinnion
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Welcome to Michelle's Freedom Forum!
I would like to welcome everyone to my first blog created for my online journalism course: JOMC 223 "Global Impact of New Communication Technologies." This course is part of the Certificate in Technology and Communication offered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Please check back soon as I continue posting for my class and begin my research project!
1 Comments:
Michelle,
Dean Smith here. I thought of the focus of your blog while flipping through Marshall McLuhan's illustrated little book "The Medium is the MASSAGE." Here's p. 24:
"the others"The shock of recognition! In an electric
information environment, minority
groups can no longer be contained or
ignored. Too many people know too
much about each other. Our new
environment compels commitment and
participation. We have become irrevocably
involved with, and responsible for,
each other."
Cheers!
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