Kids seem more willing to “out” themselves to the Net than to their parents.
Predictor: Walker, Eric
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 column for Wired magazine, Eric Walker writes: ”‘I did not choose to be gay. I have always been gay and will continue to be gay. I am lonely. Please help me.’ Messages like this are now common on soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi, a Usenet newsgroup swiftly becoming another fine online example of people helping people – in this case, young people … The kids seem more willing to ‘out’ themselves to the Net than to their parents (anonymity is available, though few use it), and coming out to parents is a popular topic. Youths from such far-flung locations as Argentina are relating first-hand experiences – experiences that know no boundaries. As one posting confirmed, ‘Your story is identical to mine when I was your age. Kind of funny to see something I could have written myself.’ Evolving here is a varied yet cohesive group as only the Net allows. There’s a sense of true community, of belonging. Young people are speaking out, and making others feel good about themselves in the process; from the interaction they gain strength, confidence, and a greater sense of well-being. All of which are difficult to find IRL [In Real Life] … On soc.support, young people are encouraged to take control of their lives in an atmosphere of acceptance and approval. ‘I’ve gotten an amazing amount of strength from the comments y’all have made,’ wrote one young person. ‘So much so that I sat down with my best friend and told him I thought I was bi.’ Empowering indeed.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: Relationships
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Updata: We’re Here, We’re Queer, and Now We’ve Got Virtual Support
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.08/updata.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney