Youtube vlogs, stardom and LGBTQ community

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the rising importance of YouTube vlogs and vloggers against mainstream media organs in terms of self-representation and affiliation. The research specifically focuses on LGBTQ individuals’ sexual identity and communication development created by coming out videos while establishing visibility and acculturation for the LGBTQ community through the discourse being used. The study also shows YouTube’s potential power to produce online stars as a role model for the audience and the ways these stars use their stardom power to raise more awareness on the LGBTQ issues.