[Week 3]
🌎 Tumblr: A Space for Free Thought and Inclusive Discourse
The public sphere - a space where people exchange ideas and shape discourse - has long been a key element of democracy (Hohendahl, 2016). But let’s be real: not all social media platforms actually support meaningful conversations.
❌ Twitter – Too fast-paced for meaningful discourse. ❌ Instagram – Prioritizes visuals over deep discussions. ❌ Facebook – Real-name policies limit open conversations. ✅ Tumblr – Fosters layered, evolving discussions and niche communities.
Tumblr stands apart. Unlike these platforms, Tumblr thrives on deep discussions, evolving perspectives, and niche communities (Tiidenberg et al., 2021). Despite its imperfections, it remains one of the few places where collaborative, thoughtful conversations can still flourish.
Why Tumblr Functions as a Public Sphere
🔄 Reblogs: Where Discussions Evolve, Not Die
Unlike Twitter’s quick-fire retweets, Tumblr’s reblogging system allows users to build upon posts - adding context, humor, or deeper analysis. Instead of disappearing into the void, conversations on Tumblr grow over time, forming complex, multi-layered discussions (Chang et al., 2014).
👤 Anonymity: A Safe Haven for Honest Conversations
No real names? No pressure. Tumblr’s pseudonymous identities empower users - especially LGBTQ+ individuals - to explore identity, share personal experiences, and discuss issues without fear of real-world repercussions (McCracken, 2017).
📉 Authentic Engagement Over Virality
Unlike Instagram and TikTok, where algorithm-driven popularity dominates, Tumblr’s engagement is community-driven. Your post’s impact is not determined by follower count but by relevance and resonance within the community (Chang et al., 2014).
💬 Community First, Clout Last
While most platforms prioritize fleeting trends, Tumblr fosters long-term discourse. From fandom deep dives to activism, the focus is not just on going viral – it is on making an impact (McCracken, 2017).
🏳️🌈 Tumblr & LGBTQ+ Activism: The #ItGetsBetter Movement
One of Tumblr’s most powerful examples of social impact is its role in LGBTQ+ activism - particularly the #ItGetsBetter campaign.
(It Gets Better, n.d.)
In 2010, journalist Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller created a video offering hope to LGBTQ+ youth facing bullying. Their message: “Life gets better.” The video sparked a global movement, inspiring over 70,000 people - including celebrities and politicians - to share their own stories (ItGetsBetter, n.d.).
(It Gets Better, 2010)
📈 Tumblr’s Role (McCracken et al., 2020)
Tumblr users shared personal testimonies, art, and support networks, amplifying the campaign’s reach.
Reblogs created a ripple effect, allowing stories to evolve and inspire others.
The platform’s anonymity gave LGBTQ+ youth a safe space to express their struggles and triumphs.
When Tumblr Sparks Change: Stories of Impact
💬 Personal Growth Through Storytelling
"Growing up gay and trans felt isolating, but one day, I realized—I love who I am, and I wouldn’t change a thing."
1,229 likes, 7 comments - itgetsbetter on January 29, 2024: "Just manifesting this for you on this Monday morning. Sometimes all it takes is
(itgetsbetter, 2024a)
This reflects a common LGBTQ+ experience - self-doubt followed by self-acceptance. On Tumblr, pseudonymity makes it easier to share these vulnerable moments, while reblogs allow others to build on the message - creating a shared story of resilience (Brady Robards et al., 2022).
😂 Humor as a Coping Mechanism
"In middle school, I tried to convince myself I wasn’t gay by deciding I would 'only be gay at night.' Spoiler: it didn’t work."
2,309 likes, 7 comments - itgetsbetter on January 2, 2024: "🌝 Nighttime Gays rise 2024! 🌝 #itgetsbetter #queermemes #gaymemes #tumblr".
(itgetsbetter, 2024b)
Humor is a powerful tool for processing identity struggles. Tumblr’s culture embraces storytelling through humor, making tough experiences relatable and engaging (McCracken et al., 2020). Through reblogs and tags, this post sparks solidarity, laughter, and meaningful conversations.
The Takeaway
Despite its flaws - such as insular subcultures and limited content discovery - Tumblr remains one of the few platforms where deep conversations, identity exploration, and activism thrive.
Let’s Talk
💬 How has Tumblr influenced your understanding of LGBTQ+ activism? 💬 Do you think Tumblr fosters better discussions than other platforms? 💬 What’s an example of Tumblr’s impact on a social movement that stood out to you?
Reblog, add your thoughts, or start a new thread - because Tumblr was made for this.
#MDA20009#Tumblr #DigitalPublicSphere #LGBTQActivism #SocialMedia #CommunityBuilding #ItGetsBetter
References
Brady Robards, B. P., & D’Souza, S. (2022). The Oxford Handbook of Digital Media Sociology. Google Books. https://books.google.com.vn/books?hl=en&lr=&id=JgKEEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA339&dq=Tumblr+role+in+LGBTQ%2B&ots=Vo19CpjxiV&sig=rSlcHwXuiGpB6N1JUfBs4Dg0fDs&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Tumblr%20role%20in%20LGBTQ%2B&f=false
Chang, Y., Tang, L., Inagaki, Y., & Liu, Y. (2014). What is Tumblr. ACM SIGKDD Explorations Newsletter, 16(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1145/2674026.2674030
Hohendahl, P.U. (2016). 7 Critical Theory, Public Sphere, and Culture: Jürgen Habermas and His Critics. In Cornell University Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1353/book.46092
It Gets Better. (n.d.). Tumblr. https://itgetsbetter.tumblr.com
It Gets Better. (2010). It Gets Better: Dan and Terry. Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IcVyvg2Qlo
Itgetsbetter. (n.d.). About. It Gets Better. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://itgetsbetter.org/about/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
itgetsbetter. (2024a). Blocked Page. Instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/itgetsbetter/p/C1mhqlqgmj6/
itgetsbetter. (2024b). It Gets Better on Instagram: “Just manifesting this for you on this Monday morning. Sometimes all it takes is time. 💜 #itgetsbetter #tumblr #queermemes.” Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/itgetsbetter/p/C2sHFRXgi0L/
McCracken, A. (2017). Tumblr Youth Subcultures and Media Engagement. Cinema Journal, 57(1), 151–161. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44867867
McCracken, A., Cho, A., Stein, L., & Hoch, I. N. (2020). a tumblr book. University of Michigan Press. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Tumblr+role+in+LGBTQ%2B&btnG=
Tiidenberg, K., Hendry, N. A., & Abidin, C. (2021). Tumblr. John Wiley & Sons. https://books.google.com.vn/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dyY_EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT4&dq=Tumblr&ots=shnFKRQzWD&sig=faLCY19dy_0V4E1mk9H7pzJ-zw0&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Tumblr&f=false