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Fandom and online spaces LGBTQIA+ Neurodiversity Queer Relationship Diversity

Are friends electric? Online disinhibition and NRE

Most of what you read about online safety is, understandably, about protecting your personal data and not getting scammed. But what about your mental and emotional safety? People from some atomised minority groups who are geographically distant from their peers—LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, disabled and other identities that are dispersed and struggle to access in-person community—often find […]

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LGBTQIA+ Queer Relationship Diversity

Not homosexual as in Charlie & Ben, but gay as in Charlie ❤ Nick

Somewhat late to the party, I’ve recently caught up with Heartstopper, the Netflix queer teen drama based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels and original Tumblr comic series. The show is a glorious love story, with all the highs and lows of teenage drama and a wonderfully wholesome ending. I could review the show, but there […]

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LGBTQIA+ Uncategorized

(Un)real friends – parasocial relationships and mental health

In the mid-1950s, TV host Dave Garroway noticed something strange when he was walking around the town where he lived. After beginning his stint as presenter of NBC’s Today show, Garroway noticed that complete strangers would approach him in the street, greeting him warmly as though they knew him and asking after his wife. He […]

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Therapy

Therapy and fandom

I am a therapist. I am also a fan. I have been a fan for much longer than I have been a therapist, and my relationship with fandom is one that has provided me with a lot of rewarding experiences over the years. On Saturday, I will be presenting at my first ever fan convention […]