Take Me To The Internet

The Bond article “Formation-Seeking Practices during the Sexual Development of Lesbian, Gay, and Bi-Sexual Individuals” discusses sexual identity and how the media influences people's actions within the LGB community. There was a major bridge between the process of coming out and the use of the internet. LGB individuals used the internet more than face-to-face interpersonal relationships and sought most of information from the internet. The importance between the internet and coming out is clearly defined through these results. Because of the prominence of the LBG community using the internet, what is broadcasted through all forms of media in relation to the LBG community is incredibly influential. With this idea of coming out, it is also important to gather information about the LBG community, not just within your area but worldwide in order to grasp the culture and learn more about themselves.

One example of this influence is Hozier’s song and music video “Take Me To Church.” This song hones in on the anti-homophobic laws and culture within Russia, and how “an act of sex is one of the most things, but an organization like the church undermine humanity by successfully teaching shame about sexual orientation” (New York Magazine, Online). This attention towards the homophobic culture is not an attack on faith, but an act to bring more focus to the cruelties of those who are scared to come out.

This music video chronicles the struggles of two gay men who are in love with each other in Russia where it is illegal for them to be together. The homophobic culture leads them to try and run away together, but while one of the men is waiting for the other to arrive and run away, a group of homophobic men step in. They drag one of the gay men to a bonfire where they repeatedly beat him to death because of his sexuality and his relationship. One of the most heart wrenching scenes is when one of the gay men sees the other getting beaten to death but cannot do anything because if he went to help he too would be beaten to death.

While this video does not show a coming out story of triumph and hope, it shows the desperation that needs to be stopped. This video brings light to the issues plaguing Russia, and by bringing attention to it, it only adds to the information found on the intent concerning homosexuality. This video does not give young LGB a person to identity with and help them with coming out, but I think that the knowledge of this situation is something that LGB individuals and society as a whole should be aware of. This video brings light to the fact that Russian LGB struggle to find support and a community, and outlines the difference in extremes between American LGB and Russian. While this video shows an unsafe environment for LGB, "the internet is a safe and discreet way of finding information and meeting friends" (Bond, 43). This video is supposed help those who are fearful of coming out and bring light to homophobic culture that needs to be extinguished. Music videos, songs, movies, and television shows can be a way of getting stories and information out there and it can’t always be positive but that doesn’t mean it can’t have positive effects on our society.


Cite
Bond, Bradley, Hefner, Veronica, Drogos, Kristin. "Formation-Seeking Practices during the Sexual Development of Lesbian, Gay, and Bi-Sexual Individuals: The Influence and Effects of Coming Out in a Mediated Environment" December 2008. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008

Shepard, Julianne. " Q&A: Irish Musician Hozier on Gay Rights, Sexuality, Good Hair" http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/03/qa-hozier-on-gay-rights-sex-good-hair.html#

Youtube.com "Take Me To Church" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVjiKRfKpPI.