Navigating Digital Geographies and Trauma Contexts: Conceptions of Online Communities and Experiences Among LGBTQ+ People During COVID-19

Rachel M. Schmitz (), Jennifer Tabler, Ruby Charak, Gabby Gomez, Reagan E. Cole and Joshua J. Schmitz
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Rachel M. Schmitz: Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Jennifer Tabler: Sociology Program, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
Ruby Charak: Department of Psychological Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
Gabby Gomez: Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Reagan E. Cole: Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Joshua J. Schmitz: Engineering Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: The coronavirus pandemic shaped challenges for marginalized groups. Specifically, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) people experienced community-building constraints, notably in predominantly rural regions. People are also navigating digital geographies, or online social environments, in novel ways to develop virtual communities in the face of prejudice, discrimination, and potential trauma. Through a minority coping approach, the present study explored LGBTQ+ people’s experiences navigating the dynamics of digital geographies during the pandemic while residing in socially conservative, highly rural physical spaces where they may be exposed to vicarious trauma. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews, data were gathered from 43 LGBTQ+ identifying individuals between 19 and 59 years old (M/SD = 27.7/9.2) between October 2020 and January 2021. Nearly 14% identified as transgender, nonbinary, or queer individuals, 35% as bisexual individuals, and 21% as people of color including Hispanic/Latina/o. Thematic analysis of the narratives described participants’ exposures to online discrimination and stigmatization of minority groups (racial and/or sexual/gender minority groups) during the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional constraints to identity expression, utilizing social technologies to manage their identities, and negotiating digital strategies to promote social ties. Findings emphasize improving marginalized people’s experiences with digital geographies through identity affirmation and community relationship-building to offset potentially traumatic experiences. Furthermore, service providers can utilize the findings to tailor effective virtual LGBTQ+ community programming to support underserved, marginalized populations.

Keywords: LGBTQ+; online trauma; community; social technology; digital geographies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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