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We Can Lie About How We Met: MSM Identity on Geo-Social Networking Applications

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We Can Lie About How We Met: MSM Identity on Geo-Social Networking Applications University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 8-1-2014 We Can Lie About How We Met: MSM Identity on Geo-Social Networking Applications Levi Lindsey University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons Recommended Citation Lindsey, Levi, "We Can Lie About How We Met: MSM Identity on Geo-Social Networking Applications" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 371. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/371 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. We Can Lie About How We Met: MSM Identity on Geo-Social Networking Applications _________ A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Faculty of Social Sciences University of Denver __________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts __________ by Levi Lindsey August 2014 Advisor: Erika Polson, PhD Author: Levi Lindsey Title: We Can Lie About How We Met: MSM Identity on Geo-Social Networking Applications Advisor: Erika Polson, PhD Degree Date: August 2014 Abstract Location-based applications (geo-social applications) gained popularity in 2010, for individuals to meet others around them with similar interests. These applications have become extremely popular within the MSM community (men who have sex with men) but have had limited success for other communities. Geo-social networking apps offer a unique opportunity for individuals to present their identities in a limited manner in order to meet other users. This research looks at how such identities are experienced, performed, and assembled digitally and why. Using a qualitative approach, I conducted 10 in-depth interviews with users of the geo-social networking application, Grindr, regarding how they presented and experienced their identities in the application. These interviews yielded insight on the diverse usages of the application, how online identities are assembled and presented (mainly through presentation of photos), and how challenges in doing so are mitigated. When it came to presenting their “best selves”, which every user strived to do, the users utilized ‘self-branding’ techniques to choose the pieces of their identities that fit what the community valued the most (which echoes what offline MSM communities value). By branding themselves, users presented more appealing profiles, which made the community seem competitive. This competitive mentality influenced a sense of the users feeling commodified, while at times receiving negative feedback from others when they did not fit the community’s ‘norm’. These results indicate there is a negative paradox within the application, where the goal of connecting with people is overshadowed with the users feeling more separated from making meaningful connections. ii Acknowledgments This thesis could not be possible without the participation, support, and assistance of the following people: The participants of my study Members of my thesis committee: Dr. Erika Polson Dr. Margie Thompson Dr. Erica Chenoweth Dr. Luc Beaudoin My family, friends, and coworkers Again, I give my sincerest appreciation for the academic, moral, and emotional support throughout this journey. Thank you! Levi iii Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review ................................................................................................ 9 Identity Through Communication ...........................................................................11 Theoretical Approaches To Online Identities ........................................................12 Communications Theory Of Identity And Identity Gaps ..........................................16 Online Identity Assembly Theory ...........................................................................18 Homosexual Identity & Being Online .....................................................................23 Masculinities ..........................................................................................................25 Race And Ethnicity ................................................................................................28 Age Identities .........................................................................................................33 Body Image ...........................................................................................................35 Identities And Being Online ....................................................................................37 Bringing Physical Space To The Virtual ................................................................39 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................40 Methodology ..................................................................................................... 42 Reflexivity: My Role As The Researcher ................................................................43 Subjects, The Sample, & Recruitment....................................................................44 Setting Up The Interview .........................................................................................47 Participants & Data Collection ................................................................................49 Data Analysis ...........................................................................................................55 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................56 Results .............................................................................................................. 58 Usage Of Grindr .......................................................................................................58 Friendships And Community ..................................................................................60 Information Gathering ............................................................................................62 Entertainment ........................................................................................................62 Romance ...............................................................................................................63 Theme 1: Online Embodiment ................................................................................65 How To Show The Self: Photo And Embodiment ...................................................66 Choosing What To Show: Enactment Of Embodied Identity ..................................69 Leaving It Vague: Choosing What Not To Present .................................................72 Theme 2: Identity Gaps ...........................................................................................74 Representing Self In The App: Gaps Between Personal And Enactment Frames ..75 Relating To Others: Gaps Between The Enactment And Relational Frames ..........77 Finding Community? Gaps Between Personal And Communal Frames .................81 Gaps And The Offline Self: Blunt Behavior ............................................................82 Theme 3: Marketing The Self Online ......................................................................86 The Competitive Market .........................................................................................87 Identity Management & Branding ...........................................................................88 Commodification Of The User ................................................................................92 Conclusion: How Are Identities Experienced And Performed In Grindr And Why? ........................................................................................................................94 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 97 iv How Identities Are Assembled in Grindr ................................................................97 Embodiment Online And ‘Transformation’ ............................................................ 100 Rejection and Transformation .............................................................................. 101 Identity Gaps Online .............................................................................................. 102 The Enactment-Relational Gaps Online ............................................................... 103 Navigating The Challenges Of Self-Presentation, Gaps And Embodiment ........... 105 Identity Branding And Marketing Online .............................................................. 106 Gaining Capital In The Market ............................................................................. 108 Impacts Of The Competitive Market ..................................................................... 108 Commodifying The User ...................................................................................... 109 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 111 Implications ..........................................................................................................
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