What Yahoo! Answers Meant to a Generation of LGBTQ+ Youth
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Chapter 1: The Search for Answers
Before online platforms like Tumblr and Twitter hashtags, such as #growingupgay, became popular, LGBTQ+ individuals often turned to forums and message boards for answers to their pressing questions. While the notion of visiting Yahoo! Answers for responses to questions many felt too shy to ask has become somewhat of a running joke, those who sought guidance there can truly be considered pioneers for the LGBTQ+ community.
As Yahoo! Answers is set to close down on May 4, we still have alternatives like Quora for seeking answers, albeit in a more open manner on social media platforms. Nevertheless, Yahoo! Answers was a sanctuary for young millennials seeking solace and support.
A decade ago, LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media was scarce, with only a few shows like Glee providing visibility. Even in those cases, many LGBTQ+ characters were often relegated to stereotypes or secondary roles, primarily focusing on coming-out narratives. Most of these representations centered on white, cisgender gay men, leaving many in the community feeling underrepresented.
While it's important to recognize the impact of characters such as Kurt Hummel, the representation for lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals was notably lacking, prompting many of us to seek out answers online.
Section 1.1: Personal Reflections on Identity
I first became aware of my bisexuality at 17, but I started grappling with my identity much earlier, around 14 or 15. At that time, my life was intertwined with the Catholic Church, where I had undergone various sacraments. The teachings I received implied that even a hint of queerness could lead to eternal damnation.
I often questioned how being queer could be viewed as sinful, especially when the LGBTQ+ individuals in my life were among the most compassionate and humble people I knew. The summer before I entered high school, Katy Perry's hit "I Kissed a Girl" dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. If so many people were celebrating same-sex experimentation, could it truly be evil?
Eventually, I turned to the internet for answers. While I never created an account or posted questions on Yahoo! Answers, I stumbled upon a wealth of information that eased my sleepless nights.
“Can a guy be straight and have a crush on another guy?”
“Is it normal for a guy to fantasize about another guy?”
“Can boys identify as bisexual?”
“Will being gay condemn me to hell?”
Among these inquiries, the third was a frequent concern for me. In my suburban hometown, I didn’t know any openly bisexual boys or men, nor did I see them represented in media. It wasn't until I reached college that I met an openly bisexual man and learned terms like "pansexual" and "non-binary."
Fortunately, a community of queer men on Yahoo! Answers shared similar experiences. Some men, married to women, admitted to fantasizing about other men, while others in same-sex relationships had boyfriends who allowed them to date women. There wasn't a one-size-fits-all bisexual experience, but I found enough information to make sense of my own identity.
Today, it feels like there’s a richer variety of queer and trans characters in media compared to their straight or cis counterparts, which I am grateful for. This evolution can help younger LGBTQ+ individuals feel less isolated than those from previous generations.
Section 1.2: The Intersection of Faith and Identity
As I questioned my sexuality, I also began to reconsider my Catholic beliefs. Other so-called "sins" that had nothing to do with sex, like eating shellfish or wearing mixed fabrics, didn’t seem wrong to me.
In addition to exploring my sexuality, I found myself searching for answers about faith.
“Have you ever felt a connection with God?”
“Will I go to hell for doubting God?”
“Am I a bad person for not wanting to attend church?”
Now, at 27, I identify as agnostic. I believe in a higher power, but I also think that no one can claim to know for certain. I advocate for living life to the fullest, not out of fear of punishment, but from a genuine desire to be a good person.
While I encountered various responses to my questions about sexuality, the answers regarding faith often boiled down to the idea that “Only God can judge.” This has become my guiding principle since I was 17.
Chapter 2: The Legacy of Yahoo! Answers
Now, I find myself using Quora more than Yahoo! Answers, not so much for inquiries about sexuality or faith, but for those mundane questions that might seem silly (like “Can I replace cornmeal with cornstarch?” or “Is it safe to take melatonin after drinking wine?”). Yet, I remain thankful for the queer community I discovered on Yahoo! Answers, even if I never engaged with them directly.
I hold deep respect for those who pose awkward or cringe-inducing questions on platforms like Quora or Yahoo! Answers, largely because I often hesitate to ask them myself. Over the years, the embarrassing questions raised on these sites have become fodder for jokes and memes. However, for LGBTQ+ individuals, those who bravely ask these questions are the unsung heroes of our community.
Thank you, Yahoo! Answers, for serving as a safe haven before such spaces became commonplace. You provided invaluable support to a generation of queer and trans youth seeking the answers they desperately needed. Your absence will surely be felt.