“What it means to be Different—in Virtual Reality”

By: Shelley Jane Graff

                I have often wondered what the appeal of switching one’s gender online truly is…I can imagine that the individual’s reasoning for doing so varies greatly.  Admittedly, I always assumed that these reasons were more perverse than not, with individuals perpetuating their views of gender versus challenging the norms established by society.  While cyberspace does provide a realm in which one is able to explore alternate identities, it also provides a realm in which one is able to reaffirm his or her biases regarding gender and sexuality. 

                In his article, “Sex Lives in Second Life,” Dr. Robert Brookey explores how users of the “MMORPG” Second Life explore sexual identities, suggesting that perhaps this anonymity and freedom creates a realm that has the potential to be liberating, but the extent to which people will use such technologies to do so may also be limited.  The belief in academia that cyberspace liberates the oppressed seems pervasive; however, the belief that it provides another (more sinister) sort of outlet appears less.  Brookey writes that, “It is often the implicit assumption of queer scholars that traditional forms of media will cater to established norms in order to attract the broadest audience.” (p. 148) Who is to say that this will not apply to newer forms of media as well? 

                In the article, “Gender @ Cyberspace” by Moses A. Boudourides and Evangelia Drakou, the authors suggest that the underrepresentation of females in cyberspace may contribute to the fact that the female persona is still presented in a more stereotypical fashion than one may hope.  Indeed, for the voices of the oppressed to reach the general public requires participation on the part of said oppressed group members.  Whereas the anonymity of cyberspace provides the opportunity for the aforementioned group members to express themselves, it also provides the opportunity for individuals who are not members of these groups to represent themselves as members—further perpetuating their own biases regarding what it means to be “different.” 

                (Word Count = 327 words total)