Construcción de identidad online y offline en 4 drag queens de Bogotá

Abstract

The present work is relevant for its study of cyberculture, focusing on the construction of online and offline identity, a topic that has had a significant impact on society due to the ease of access and the massive availability of online information, which allows people to interact with their surroundings in unique ways. Cyberculture facilitates learning about almost any subject, from scientific articles to books and movies. In addition to providing access to knowledge and personal connections, it also allows for the creation of alter egos that impact the lives of its users, as is the case with Drag Queens, the central theme of this thesis. Moreover, it has also brought forth a new personality, the Online Self, that personality/alter ego created for social media, which, along with social constructionism, offers tools to understand how identity is developed among the four drag queens of Bogotá. This work is pertinent because it explores the construction of both online and offline identities and how these identities affect not only individuals but also their communities. It highlights the importance of inspiration, politics, diversity, and pride in artistic and personal expression, honoring those who paved the way in the past and promoting the respect that drag queens deserve. Consequently, the objective of this work is to understand the social identity related to online social media in the narratives of four drag queens from Bogotá, using a narrative methodology focused on life stories through two semi-structured interviews per participant. The main results obtained are as follows: The research participants present the construction of their drag identity as an inductive and dynamic process, influenced by personal and social experiences. “P2” evolves through the Ballroom Construcción de identidad en drag Queens 8 community, while “P1” draws from their creativity since childhood. “P3” and “P4” highlight the multifaceted nature of identity, which varies depending on the context and is enriched by external influences. Online identity is seen as a space for self-expression that complements the offline self, with each participant exploring different facets of themselves on platforms like Instagram. In conclusion, drag identity is not only a personal reflection but also a political and social tool in a context of discrimination.