10

Have you ever followed or observed a stranger or "Internet personality" online?

Yes, watching various YouTubers and following people via Tumblr and Twitter.

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Any who you knew or believed to be LGBTQ+?

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Yes. Queer YouTube channels such as Rose and Rosie, Ally Hills, and people who run LGBT Tumblr accounts.

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I have used different labels for my sexuality in the past – pansexual, bisexual – but it never felt like it fit me, then I saw someone on YouTube who defined themselves as queer and said that it was an umbrella term and I liked it. I also was not aware of the term cisgendered until recently where I have started watching more transgendered YouTubers.

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Have you ever interacted with a stranger online?

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Yes, [we] met on a mobile quiz app. Added each other on Facebook and talked about our lives and where we lived. We were both around 15 years old. I wanted to fit in and seem cool and

interesting.

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Have you ever interacted with a stranger online who you knew or believed to be LGBTQ+?

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Yes. Met someone on Tumblr via private message.

It started after I replied to to her ask that had been answered by Rose and Rosie, which was a quote from Orphan Black. I found her very interesting and learnt about her life and she helped me become more open and confident in myself and my sexuality.

Most significant interaction was after two years on messaging — her coming to visit me and stay at my home for two weeks. We were both 16, I wanted to be perceived as a friend, I wanted to be liked.

We are very similar people, have both gone out of our way to visit each other. We make sure to message and catch up with each other every couple of months.