Indian Queer Content Creators: Paving the Way to Acceptance whilst Battling Trolls

September 5, 2024 Aashi Singh

Ever since the rise of Instagram Reels during the pandemic, there has been a huge increase in the number of Content Creators online. Queer Content Creators from India have also managed to build a platform for themselves by being their authentic selves online, despite the challenges that it entails in a country like India where lack of awareness and sensitivity about LGBTQ+ identities makes them the target of constant hate online. These creators have braved both physical and digital battles to work towards increasing queer visibility online, becoming a beacon of hope for thousands of closeted LGBTQ+ folks in India.

Online Queer Visibility: A Boon for Representation

Prarthana Prasad (@shorthairedbrownqueer) is a Queer Content Creator

Media representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the past has largely been driven by heterosexist gaze, which further stereotyped the community and reduced them to caricatures. It is only in the past few years that mainstream media has made efforts to portray LGBTQ+ identities. However, the shift has been slow, and the representation has been limited to cis folks from upper-class and upper-caste backgrounds. Moreover, LGBTQ+ individuals were rarely involved in writing scripts, directing, or casting for these media representations. Therefore, their voices and perspectives remained on the sidelines, which created a gap in authenticity and agency. The rise of queer influencers online has somewhat filled this gap and provided more agency to the LGBTQ+ community in representing their reality. Creators such as Sanat Chadha (@sanskari_satan), Shivam Bhardwaj (@theguyinaskirt), Prarthana Prasad (@shorthairedbrownqueer), Maitrayanee Mahanta (@mmaitrayanee), and Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju (@trintrin) have amassed thousands of followers on the platform, providing much-needed visibility to LGBTQ+ realities in India.

The online visibility of queer content creators has given hope to thousands of closeted individuals looking for validation and representation of their identity. By being out, proud, and vocal about their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, these creators have made attempts to break the norm of cis/heteronormative stories of success and have paved the path of greater acceptance in the digital industry. In an era where the internet is rife with stories about LGBTQ+ individuals undergoing extreme discrimination, abuse, and violation, these content creators act as a beacon of hope that despite the horrific realities, one can still live out their truth. From sharing glimpses of their life to speaking up against homophobia and transphobia, these creators have carved out a safe space for both LGBTQ+ folks as well as allies. They entertain and educate while also maintaining their digital personas to attract and cater to online audiences.

Hateful Trolls: A Bane for Digital Safe Spaces

Transphobic comments misgender creators, which can be distressing and trigger gender dysphoria

The increased visibility is not without downsides, and queer content creators are subjected to unabating hate and abuse online, which can be detrimental to their mental health. The comment sections of these creators’ posts are full of homophobic and transphobic comments by trolls. They are also subjected to death and rape threats by hundreds of trolls who hide behind the mask of anonymity that social media provides. The majority of hate comments are disrespectful and are aimed at attacking queer creators’ identity, personality, as well as appearance. The comments also comment on the creators’ friends and family members and shame them for being inclusive and accepting. The existing algorithms fail to filter out abusive comments and messages, especially if they are written in regional languages. The lack of adequate protection and action by concerned authorities hinders the safety of queer content creators and infringes upon their digital safe spaces.

16-year-old Priyanshu Yadav’s death by suicide in 2023 is a harrowing example of how homophobic and transphobic cyberbullying can cost content creators their lives. Priyanshu Yadav was a young queer teen makeup artist who was just expressing themselves online by wearing a saree, but this simple gesture led to a barrage of hateful comments, which had such a horrible impact on their mental health that it caused them to take their own life. It is likely that none of the accounts that spammed the young artist’s comment section with hate comments were taken down. It is also probable that the owners of these accounts did not face any legal action. Such instances reflect the gaps that exist in online safety and how the lack of efficient mechanisms to curb cyberbullying has far-reaching consequences, especially for marginalised communities.

Creators’ impact on the Social Perception of LGBTQ+ identities

In today’s era of algorithms, online content holds the power to shape cultural trends as well as the social perceptions. Queer content creators are contributing towards increased LGBTQ+ inclusion not only by creating awareness about the community but also by refusing to hide away their identity despite the heteronormative structure of Indian society. Their content holds the power to transform the perception of the LGBTQ+ community and create a positive and real picture of what it truly means to be queer. By writing their own narratives, these creators are less likely to fall into the trap of stereotypical representation, which has only harmed the community. Moreover, the online support that these creators receive from allies and LGBTQ+ folks can benefit the creators and motivate them to keep going despite the trolls. Overall, queer content creators have become harbingers of change and have successfully managed to carve out a space for queerness in the digital world.

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