title: how r u??? Lesbian and bi-identified youth on MySpace.
abstract: For lesbian/bi youth, MySpace Groups have become virtual gathering places to flirt, joke, and occasionally engage one another on issues of identity and relationships. These Groups offer them opportunities to connect in ways unknown to previous generations of lesbian/bi women. This article identifies types of Topic Forums within Groups that members use to initiate ongoing exchanges as a form of virtual conversation. Four topic threads that emerged from these Forums were explored to gather information on the kinds of issues discussed by young lesbian/bi women online. The topics were "should frequent sex be relevant to a great relationship?"; "Random"; "r u out?? how did u come out?? how did ur parents take it?? when did u come out??"; and "bi or lesbian"). They provide the basis for a descriptive analysis of the ways in which young lesbian/bi women present themselves to others, react to one another, and share thoughts, experiences, and emotions in cyberspace.
authors.affiliation: College of Education, AB-240, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA. scrowley@binghamton.edu
authors.forename: M Sue
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Crowley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception