A section of Youtube created for and by Queer Youth.
Hypothesis
LGBT+ censorship exists on social media.
Research
I decided the best approach to answering my hypothesis was going directly to the source. Using a survey taken from March 10 - 20, 2019 of 120 people via Google Forms on how LGBT+ identifying individuals use the internet and whether they faced discrimination I found:
Conclusion
of individuals have not had their posts flagged.
of my target audience reported having their posts flagged at all and only 2% had been flagged in the past month.
Insight
Young LGBT+ Community members actively seek our queer content but don't find it easily.2
The problem
How might we connect queer content creators with their audience in order to create an educated and safe community for the LGBT+ youth?
1. Although Tumblr had a higher usage rate of 62% for my audience, I chose to focus primarily on Youtube because Tumblr simply didn’t have the functionality for what I wanted to achieve with this project.
2. Queer content in this case is not necessarily content which focuses on the LGBT+ community as an outsider but content CREATED by those of the LGBT+ community ABOUT the Queer community.
Target Audience
The LGBT+ youth, primarily 13-18, who are unaware of the struggle they might face in the future due to the uncertainty of being gay. If you’re questioning, you belong here.
Concepting
Mission statement
To increase Queer content visibility in order to connect young LGBT+ community members with the content creators who can help educate them on their identity.
Solution
A section of youtube specifically labeled Youtube Pride which focuses solely on entertainment, educational content, and creators that are centered in and around the Queer community.
Deliverables
High-fidelity wireframes
Social media
Guerilla Marketing
Conclusion
Youtube pride is about building a safe and fun community for young LGBT+ community members that focuses on the educational aspect of what it means to have an identity, bringing to light the reality of what it really means to be Queer.