COMING OUT IN THE AGE OF THE INTERNET - IDENTITY DEMARGINALIZATION THROUGH VIRTUAL GROUP PARTICIPATION

Internet newsgroups allow individuals to interact with others in a rel atively anonymous fashion and thereby provide individuals with conceal able stigmatized identities a place to belong not otherwise available. Thus, membership in these groups should become an important part of i dentity. Study 1 found that members of newsgroups dealing with margina lized-concealable identities modified their newsgroup behavior on the basis of reactions of other members, unlike members of marginalized-co nspicuous or mainstream newsgroups. This increase in identity importan ce from newsgroup participation was shown in both Study 2 (marginalize d sexual identities) and Study 3 (marginalized ideological identities) to lead to greater self-acceptance, as well as coming out about the s ecret identity to family and friends. Results supported the view that Internet groups obey general principles of social group functioning an d have real-life consequences for the individual.