Study Notes on "Acting Out" Queer Identity: The Embodied Visibility in Social Virtual Reality by Guo Freeman and Dane Acena

"Acting Out" Queer Identity: The Embodied Visibility in Social Virtual Reality

Authors

  • Guo Freeman, Clemson University, USA

  • Dane Acena, Clemson University, USA

Abstract

  • Focus: Embodied visibility in social Virtual Reality (VR) for exploring how queer users build and experience visibility.

  • Methodology: Based on experiences from 29 queer social VR users across multiple countries and cultures.

  • Findings: - Three main strategies for building and experiencing embodied visibility in social VR.

    • Limitations of each strategy and impacts on queer identity practices online and offline.

    • Broaden current studies on queer visibility by emphasizing embodiment and its effects on online representation.

  • Proposed: Design considerations to support diverse queer visibility in social VR.

Introduction

  • Definition of "Queer": As per the Human Rights Campaign, it indicates a spectrum of identities and orientations that challenge mainstream norms regarding sexuality and gender.

  • Importance of Online Spaces: Safe offline spaces for queer individuals are disappearing, leading to a reliance on online communities for identity exploration.

  • Rise of Social VR: Increasing numbers of queer users attracted to VR spaces due to immersive experiences and community-oriented events.

Background and Literature Review

1. Intersection of Queer Visibility and Social VR

  • Little attention in HCI and CSCW on how social VR supports or challenges queer visibility and identity formation. This gap suggests a need for deeper investigation into the specific mechanisms and outcomes.

  • Need for empirical studies in this emerging area to clarify complex social dynamics. Such studies can shed light on how virtual environments mediate identity performance and recognition for queer individuals.

2. Defining Embodied Visibility

  • Definition: Conscious choices regarding the presentation of non-hetero or non-cisnormative identities within an embodied context, as opposed to mere visual representation on a screen.

3. Related Works

3.1 Queer Theory and HCI

  • Queer theory critiques identity politics and aims to understand the fluidity and complexity of identity.

  • Key Contributors: Jagose, Smith, Halperin, Sullivan - insights range from describing queer as a positionality to critiquing conventional identity categorizations. These theories offer frameworks for understanding how identities are constructed and performed, especially in digital spaces.

3.2 Self-Presentation and Visibility Online

  • Visibility in offline contexts leads to political advocacy for queer rights.

  • Online, visibility must navigate the intersection of technology and identity. This includes considering persistent digital traces, moderation policies, and audience perception.

3.3 Challenges in Queer Visibility

  • Homonormativity: Privileges certain identities over others (e.g., white gay men over queer people of color), often reinforcing mainstream values within queer communities themselves.

  • Cisnormativity: Preferences for cisgender identities can marginalize transgender individuals, leading to assumptions about gender and limited representation in design.

Methodology

Participant Recruitment

  • Recruitment via Reddit forums, Discord servers, and in-person outreach at queer events.

  • Criteria: self-identifying as queer and experienced in social VR within last 12 months.

Interviews

  • 29 semi-structured interviews conducted (Oct 2020 - Feb 2021).

  • Demographic Questions: Identity, social VR usage, interaction styles.

Data Analysis

  • Grounded Theory Approach: Coding and identifying themes from narratives.

Findings

4. Strategies for Embodied Visibility

4.1 Visualizing Identity through Avatars

  • Crafting avatars based on personal identity as a continuous process, allowing for iterative refinement and adaptation.

  • Sub-strategies:

    • Accurate Avatar Creation: Mixing templates to combine various customizable elements like hairstyles, clothing, accessories, and unique facial features beyond just 'skin color' and 'body shape' to attain a personal and authentic representation of users' identities.

    • Dynamic Avatar Switching: For genderfluid users, switching avatars based on emotions allows them to fluidly align their external representation with their internal sense of self or emotional state on a moment-to-moment basis, going beyond static presentations, thereby enhancing self-presentation.

4.2 Acting Out Identity through Full-Body Tracking

  • Physical movements enhance user connection with avatars. This includes expressive gestures, specific stances, unique ways of walking or interacting, and active participation in queer-focused virtual events like dance parties or discussions, further strengthening the connection between their physical self and their virtual persona.

  • Embodiment allows queer users to reflect their identity through actions (e.g., movement, participation in events).

4.3 Vocalizing Identity through Voice Communication

  • Voice adds nuance to identity. Users can experiment with vocal pitch, tone, and inflection to align their auditory presentation with their gender identity, providing a crucial avenue for practicing and expressing aspects of their self often policed in offline spaces.

Limitations of Strategies

  • Avatar Design Limitations: Difficulty crafting avatars can restrict users' expressive capabilities. These difficulties often stem from a lack of diverse or inclusive avatar templates and customization options that cater to non-normative gender expressions, body types, or racial/ethnic features, forcing users to compromise on authentic representation.

  • Embodied Harassment Risks: Increased visibility can lead to targeted harassment in social VR environments, as users become more identifiable.

  • Cisnormative Expectations: Users face challenges aligning their voice with their avatar's representation, leading to potential misidentification and harassment, especially if voice doesn't conform to stereotypical gender cues.

Impacts of Embodied Visibility on Identity Practices

4.2.1 Self-Awareness

  • Reflective experiences in social VR can affirm users' understanding and acceptance of their identities. Through the act of embodying and expressing their identity in a supportive virtual environment, users gain deeper insights into their own sense of self.

  • Participants report feeling validated through embodied interactions and community acceptance. The positive feedback and acceptance from other queer community members in social VR validate these initial reflections, reinforcing their identity understanding.

4.2.2 Self-Confidence

  • Embodied visibility boosts confidence in participants’ queer identities, enabling greater openness. Successfully presenting their authentic self in social VR and receiving positive affirmation significantly enhances users' self-esteem regarding their queer identity.

  • Younger users note heightened self-acceptance leading to more robust identity advocacy. This newfound confidence often translates into a greater willingness to be open about their identity in various social settings, both online and potentially offline.

4.2.3 Community Building

  • Social VR facilitates connections among queer individuals across geographic boundaries, fostering support systems. Through shared experiences in queer-specific virtual events, discussions, and persistent social spaces, users form strong bonds and support networks that transcend geographical distances.

  • Participants appreciate the sense of belonging found in dedicated queer social VR spaces. The ability to congregate and interact freely as their authentic selves cultivates a profound sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

4.2.4 Offline Visibility

  • Experiences in social VR can translate into greater visibility and acceptance in offline environments. For some, the successful and affirmed presentation of their queer identity in social VR provides the courage and self-assurance needed to increase their visibility in real-world contexts. They might feel more comfortable disclosing their identity to others or engaging in queer advocacy.

  • Some express hesitance to extend their visibility due to safety concerns. Conversely, the risks of harassment encountered in VR can heighten awareness of potential offline dangers, leading others to remain cautious about extending this visibility into physical spaces for safety reasons.

Discussion

New Perspectives on Queer Visibility

  • Embodied Visibility: Distinct from online representation by integrating action, voice, and avatar experience, creating a more holistic and immersive form of identity presentation.

  • Selectivity Limitations: Queer users often present identity more consistently due to the immersive nature of social VR, contrasting with selective practices in traditional online spaces where one might curate specific aspects of identity for different audiences.

Design Considerations for Social VR

Recommendations:

  1. Accessibility Enhancements: Foster inclusive culture and support systems for diverse identities, including features that aid navigation and interaction for users with various abilities.

  2. Custom Avatar Creation Support: Simplify avatar design processes to better accommodate fluid identities, offering more diverse body types, gender expressions, and unique features.

  3. Emotion Integration: Implement technologies for real-time emotional expression in avatars, such as facial tracking, to enhance non-verbal communication and understanding.

  4. Voice Modulation Tools: Develop diverse voice filters to match queer identities, allowing users to adjust pitch and tone to better align with their self-perception.

  5. Protect Against Harassment: Enhance reporting mechanisms, improve moderation tools, and increase monitoring of user-generated content for harmful behaviors, creating safer spaces for all users.

Limitations of the Study

  • Predominantly white, educated, and financially stable participants may bias findings, limiting the generalizability to more diverse queer populations.

  • Limited diversity in the platforms used by participants, which might not reflect the full spectrum of social VR experiences.

Conclusion

  • Significance of Social VR: Plays a crucial role in exploring queer identities through embodied visibility, offering unique opportunities for self-expression and community building.

  • Findings can guide future social VR designs to establish more inclusive environments for diverse queer users by addressing their specific needs and challenges.

Acknowledgments

  • Authors thank participants for their valuable insights and support from the National Science Foundation.