Savouring and Surviving the Digital Space  by LGBTQ People

Arohi Sanyal

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.66160

Savouring and Surviving the Digital Space by LGBTQ People

Author(s)	Ms. Arohi Sanyal
Country	India
Abstract	In my research paper, I would examine the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in India on Instagram, a platform that simultaneously offers visibility to marginalised communities while exposing users to harassment. I would be using secondary sources, case studies, and insights from feminist and queer theory to highlight how queer identities become hyper-visible targets of social regulation in digital spaces. Patterns of trolling on Instagram would be analysed, including homophobic slurs, transphobic taunts, memes, GIFs, and appearance-based shaming. These tactics not only reinforce patriarchal and heteronormative norms but also inflict significant psychological harm, including anxiety, fear of outing, social withdrawal, academic disruption, and, in tragic cases, self-harm and suicide – the suicide of a 16-year-old gay influencer in 2022 exemplifies the devastating consequences of unchecked online abuse [1]. At the same time, the paper would highlight how queer users resist and reclaim agency in hostile digital environments. Strategies such as disabling comments, curating private networks, muting notifications, and building online support groups reflect feminist ethics of care and queer practices of survival. While Instagram provides a space for expression and solidarity, its inconsistent moderation, particularly regarding regional language hate speech, underscores the platform’s failure to protect vulnerable communities adequately. The analysis argues that queer visibility on Instagram cannot be disentangled from broader systems of social power, including caste, class, and linguistic hierarchies, which compound online marginalization. I would conclude with a call for more robust platform accountability, culturally sensitive moderation practices, stronger legal protections against cyberbullying, and sustained community resilience. By centering the lived realities of LGBTQ+ users, this paper would contribute to understanding digital marginalization in India while emphasizing the urgent need for inclusive, safe, and affirming online spaces.
Keywords	LGBTQ, Instagram trolling, Platform accountability
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.66160

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Savouring and Surviving the Digital Space by LGBTQ People

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