WHY GAY (GEIGH) TWITTER IS IMPORTANT FOR THE BLACK GAY CHILD?

It is not a secret that Black Twitter is basically South African Twitter and within Black Twitter you tend to find factions such as Gym Twitter, Promo Twitter and of course the influential gay twitter or as we call it GEIGH Twitter.  (Black) Geigh Twitter is a formidable force on Black Twitter with the likes of @King_Alu who is able to start and curate conversations about LGBTI issues whilst addressing straight folk who are the cause of some of our issues in the community.

You also get the likes of @SurburbanZulu and @lelowhatsgood who are curating insightful and engaging content. @Slayvuyile runs an NGO from the Eastern Cape called Cater For All, whilst being the go-to person for advice for some of the community members as he is one of the respected members of the community (I also stand). These are some of the geigh people who are doing things every day to inspire the black gay child, not forgetting myself of course with my work with #PrEP and Mental Health. It would be unfair to not acknowledge all the geighs that make up this section of Black Twitter because each individual contributes something to our community.

You’re probably wondering why I mentioned these people, right? These are some of the influential people on Geigh Twitter who are constantly trying to make the experience for the black geigh child better. Geigh Twitter is filled with different people who all share the same mandate, which is to improve the lives of Queer men; obviously, there is some shade now and again, but we still share the same sentiment, which is to fight homophobia and make our lives better. I love the fact that we all unite when it comes to fighting homophobia, it would be great if this would transcend to facets of gay culture.

Geigh Twitter is important for the black gay child in that it provides an online safe space where even people who are trying to figure out their sexuality can get information and speak to anyone they feel comfortable with. It’s also an online space where younger gays have access to some of us elders who can share our experiences and answer any questions that they may have.

For example, I had a few younger gays sending me messages telling me about how much they wish they were as confident as me to live so openly and also share of them their struggles. We cannot ignore the fact that a lot of people can only be “free” online because in the real world their friends and family are not understanding and most probably are homophobic. By creating this online safe environment we can help one another overcome some of our challenges.

By creating an online safe space we are able to affirm one another as gay people because majority of the LGBT youth uses the Internet and social media, so it becomes important to utilize spaces like these outside of the spaces we create in the real world (that are often non-existent in some communities which highlight the importance of using these online spaces to educate and be role models). The great thing about platforms such as Facebook is that we can have private groups where access is allowed by an administrator and we can curate positive content, unlike Twitter where you have to make a conscious effort in choosing who to follow. What are your thoughts on online safe spaces??

Phumlani Kango is a contributing writer for Anova Health Institute. For more of his writing go to www.phumlanikango.com and follow him on Twitter@PhumlaniKango