Queer Youth and Media reading

Bryan Wuest states that two ways queer youth use YouTube videos for identity development and overcoming certain obstacles are visibility and acculturation. He explains that YouTube’s accessibility gives queer individuals a place to see others like them to relate to, especially if their own home life or town isn’t in the best place. The tags make each story more specific, so that one person can find another almost exactly in their same situation. Coming out videos, and videos from LGBTQ+ YouTubers in general,  provide an introduction for gay youth to the culture and stories from different people who know exactly how the individual is feeling, without ever meeting them. The vloggers can become a source of inspiration for the individual watching, helping them to overcome obstacles and find themselves through relating to the stories of others. It creates representation that it not found in other modern media, as it is real people talking about their experiences and identities.