In recent news, it's been reported that many well known YouTube stars have taken to the website to reveal their sexual orientation. Among these YouTubers are vlogger Shane Dawson, beauty guru Ingrid Nilsen, musician Joey Graceffa, and many others.
In an interview with Katie Couric, Dawson explains his reasons for choosing YouTube as his platform, as well as how the response has been since he put the video up.
Dawson explains how YouTube was a place that he turned to when situations in his life darkened, such as the childhood bullying he faced when his parents divorced.
“I talk about things I’ve been through: weight loss, abuse and a lot of things these kids watching don’t really have anybody to talk [with] about." The vlogger says, "So I think it’s just connecting with somebody that they trust.”
So what is it that makes YouTube or any social media the perfect platform to come out?
For years, these YouTube stars have gained subscriber after subscriber because of how they interact with their online audience. Like Dawson says, viewers come to trust these YouTubers as often times it is their videos that many people turn to for comfort, away from their own reality. Just like any other celebrity out there, YouTubers have an quite an influence over the public, some even with deeper roots than others depending on how intimate they've become with their fans through the stories they've shared.
By sharing something so personal about themselves to the public eye and to the millions of subscribers that watch their videos every day, not only do they empower themselves, but the viewers as well. By having the strength and courage to come out in such a bold way, they give their viewers the courage to do the same and reassure their viewers that they are absolutely not alone.
Of course there will always be negativity and online trolls, but the reality is that with the growing amount of support online and in person - especially since the Supreme Court ruling almost two months ago - the negativity has begun to fade into the background. People are no longer afraid to be themselves because others are making it known that they will be there for those who need it most.
Many seem to believe that YouTube and making online videos is silly, and maybe they are. But ultimately, that is what brings people in. These vloggers, musicians, artists ... they are all free to be who they are on this platform, which inspires others to do the same. My heart grows warm each and every day as I watch others (both in-person and online) become more confident in themselves thanks to the courage of those in the media. With each video and each word of support, this ongoing movement is pushed in the right direction.
Evidently, Shane Dawson agrees.
“The amount of teenagers that just in the last month since the video went up, that I see on the street who come up to me and say, ‘You know, that video gave me courage to come out to my parents, and I showed them your video and they understand and they got it.’ You know, I think it’s changed everything.”
This media outreach has long since been started, and only begins to get stronger with each passing day. Since late 2005 when YouTube first started, their slogan has been "Broadcast Yourself". Today, I believe people are finally beginning to realize just what that means.
