alias real

Lonely Gay Teen Seeking Same by Jennifer Egan is an interesting article first published in the New York Times Magazine in December 2000. It's a rather balanced description of how online communication to many teenagers is the only arena where they can be true to their gay selves (yet usually using some alias). Egan talked to a lot of gay teenagers (mostly using e-mail, IM and phone) and at several times. Both problematic and valuable aspects are highlighted. Main problem is never knowing with whom one is really interacting. The shock of meeting someone you know online face-to-face, and realising they have been lying about who they are, is of course unpleasant.

Almost all of my informants have met people online, and then after learning to know each other through IM, e-mail, diaries, arranged to meet offline. The unpleasant meetings are not dominating (actually almost non-existing). Then again, the ideal to be very true to their offline selves dominates. Online presentations of selves may very well be controlled and preferred presentations, but they are still "authentic." They do not uncritically trust strangers though, precautions are taken.