Ruang Digital dan Identitas Gay: Studi Sosiologis tentang Penggunaan Aplikasi Walla Digital Spaces and Gay Identity: A Sociological Study on the Use of the Walla App
Main Article Content
Abstract
This article delves into the sociological implications of the Walla app for the gay community in Medan, highlighting how digital technology facilitates identity formation and social interaction amidst societal stigma and discrimination. Employing a qualitative research methodology with virtual ethnography, the study gathers data through participant observation, field notes, a literature review, and interviews. Findings reveal that Walla is pivotal in providing a safe space for gays to express themselves and build supportive networks, partly due to the lack of family and societal support for their sexual orientation and the user-friendly nature of the app. This study underscores the transformative role of social media in enabling gay individuals in Medan to articulate and negotiate their identities, thereby contributing to our sociological understanding of digital spaces as venues for community building and personal expression. This research highlights the significant role of Walla in fostering a sense of community and visibility for gays in Indonesia, facilitating more authentic self-representation and interaction without fear of stigma.
Abstrak
Artikel ini meneliti implikasi sosiologis aplikasi Walla bagi komunitas gay di Medan, menyoroti bagaimana teknologi digital memfasilitasi pembentukan identitas dan interaksi sosial di tengah stigma dan diskriminasi masyarakat. Menggunakan metodologi penelitian kualitatif dengan etnografi virtual, studi ini mengumpulkan data melalui observasi partisipatif, catatan lapangan, tinjauan literatur, dan wawancara. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa Walla berperan penting dalam menyediakan ruang aman bagi gay untuk mengekspresikan diri dan membangun jaringan dukungan, sebagian karena kurangnya dukungan keluarga dan masyarakat terhadap orientasi seksual mereka serta sifat aplikasi yang mudah digunakan. Penelitian ini menegaskan peran transformatif media sosial dalam memungkinkan individu gay di Medan untuk mengartikulasikan dan menegosiasikan identitas mereka, sehingga memberikan kontribusi pada pemahaman sosiologis kita tentang ruang digital sebagai tempat pembangunan komunitas dan ekspresi pribadi. Penelitian ini menyoroti peran signifikan Walla dalam memupuk rasa komunitas dan visibilitas bagi gay di Indonesia, memfasilitasi representasi diri dan interaksi yang lebih otentik tanpa takut stigma.
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