LGBTQ Visibility Online Measured Consistently and Persistently from 2015 through Today

LGBTQ visibility is an often discussed but rarely quantified concept. Here we define online visibility as the prevalence of active social media accounts with an LGBTQ signifier in the profile bio and measure the prevalence of such accounts consistently and persistently at daily resolution over eight years in the United States. We found that prevalence for all LGBTQ signifiers increased. The terms trans and queer grew exceptionally rapidly. Accounts with LGBTQ signifiers were especially visible on days corresponding to political or violent events. The rainbow flag emoji also increased in prevalence, including a notable ratchet each June (Pride Month). Social scientists should embrace this new opportunity to observe how people describe their selves to a public audience.