An Exploration of Violence Against the Transgender Community on Social Media in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Social media platforms have emerged as significant spaces for communication and interaction, yet they also serve as arenas where violence and discrimination against marginalised communities, including the LGBTIQ+ community, are increasingly prevalent. This study aims to investigate the phenomenon of social media violence against the transgender community in Sri Lanka, with a focus on its forms and underlying contributing factors. Utilising qualitative methodology, specifically semi-structured interviews and analysis of Facebook comments, this research investigates the lived experiences of transgender individuals in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted over an eight-month period in 2023, with a focus on urban areas, particularly Kandy and Colombo. A purposive sampling strategy was employed, initially identifying participants through snowball sampling. The sample consists of ten transgender individuals who identify as male-to-female and ten as female-to-male, allowing for a diverse representation of perspectives within the transgender community. Drawing upon the theoretical framework of moral panic theory, the study delves into the societal aspects surrounding social media violence against the transgender community. The findings reveal a range of violence experienced by transgender individuals on social media platforms, including hate speech, cyberbullying, misgendering, doxing, harassment, and the creation of fake accounts to perpetrate harm. Additionally, the study identifies several underlying causes contributing to social media violence against the transgender community in Sri Lanka, including deeply ingrained gender stereotypes, conflicting ideological beliefs, a lack of adequate social support structures, deficiencies in Sri Lanka's legal framework to protect transgender rights, and the moral panic created by societal attitudes towards gender diversity. The study highlights the severe impact of social media violence on transgender individuals, leading to mental health issues and social withdrawal. It recommends stronger legal protections, education campaigns, robust support networks, stricter platform policies, and empowerment through digital literacy to address these challenges comprehensively.