When using social media such as Facebook and Twitter, we 'manage' our identity by the actions that we take. This is demonstrated in many ways. For example, we often change a profile picture. This information that we receive and analyze from a variety of changing pictures helps to create identity both on and offline. For a profile, we could see a head shot, a picture of a dog, a favorite landscape from a trip, a political logo, an avatar, all of this information forms identity.
We can also enhance our identity formation on these sites by doing 'check-ins'. That allows others to see where one spends their time, and with whom they congregate. We may not think of this as contributing to our online/offline identity, however it adds information that others use to know us through our likes and dislikes.
We also comment about ourselves and others. This is part of the action that develops our identity for others. These are just a few examples of how we show through online actions our offline identity- I believe they are one in the same.
Queer identity online offers like individuals a place in which to meet and identify. Like other groups, these individuals are identified through their online presentation. A negative consequence is that this can be polarizing. While it allows queer identity to be seen and therefore supported it also creates additional places for bullying and hate to exist.
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