Cyberbullying of the LGTBI community

Definition (Harassment based on LGTBIphobia)

LGTBI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex) cyberbullying is a specific form of digital violence based on prejudice (LGTBIphobia).

It is a type of harassment that targets people (or perceived as such) who break with heteronorma or cis-gender identity.

This harassment attacks not only the person, but their identity; the reason for the aggression is their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Like gender-based cyber-violence, its aim is to punish, humiliate and silence those who challenge the norm, seeking to expel them from the digital space and reinforce social prejudices.

This harassment can come both from strangers (homophobic or transphobic trolling) and from the close environment (classmates).

Specific Manifestations of Bullying

LGTBIphobic cyberbullying takes particular and very harmful forms:

Outing (Outing from the Closet): as seen, it is one of the most serious tactics.

It consists of revealing the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent, exposing them to rejection by their family or their entire environment.

Denigration and Hate Speech: Use of insults and specific vexatious language (homophobic insults, transphobic, deadnaming - calling a trans person by their former name).

This occurs in comments, forums or the creation of hate profiles.

Harassment in "Safe" Spaces: Infiltration of trolls in LGTBI support forums or groups, in order to sabotage them, post hate messages and harass their members.

Threats of Physical Violence: Online hate speech often escalates to threats of "corrective therapy" (rape) or beatings, creating a real fear for physical safety.

The Double Impact on Minors and Adolescents.

For an LGTBI minor, the impact of cyberbullying is doubly severe.

Many of these young people are already dealing with a complex internal process of self-acceptance, and often suffer further isolation in their offline environment (family or school).

For them, the internet is often the only place where they can be themselves and find a community of peers who understand and support them.

When cyberbullying invades that only safe space, the feeling of hopelessness is total.

LGTBIphobic bullying (both online and offline) is direc