Children and teens often encounter queer topics through social media. On TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms, queer influencers offer glimpses into their lives: they talk about fashion, body image, or politics, and share their travels, daily routines, or everyday situations. In this way, they bring to light the realities of queer life in all its facets. For many young people, this content is part of their everyday media world—sometimes in passing, sometimes in a very meaningful way.
Queer influencers cover a wide variety of topics. They create fitness or beauty content, are politically active, or share stories from their everyday lives. What they have in common is that they identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and openly express this. For example, they may be gay, lesbian, bi, trans, non-binary, intersex, or asexual. You can find more information about these terms in the kindersache online glossary.
The extent to which being queer is a central focus in their profiles varies greatly. Some regularly share their personal experiences and discuss topics such as identity, coming out, body image, love, and friendship. In doing so, they also address issues such as discrimination and advocate for greater social and political visibility. For others, their queer identity is more of a natural part of who they are—one that influences their content but doesn’t always take center stage.
Of course, there isn’t just “the” queer influencer on social media. The community is large, and its members are very diverse. Here are five well-known examples:
Milo Pochylski offers a glimpse into life as a drag queen as Aria Addams. On YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch, he shares makeup and “get ready” videos, bakes under the “Only Bakes” banner, discusses all kinds of everyday topics, and interviews guests. He has also appeared on the TV show Queen of Drags.
“Your non-binary sibling” is at the very top of the profile: “Your non-binary sibling”: Gialu.mx has been active on social media since 2020, creating content on topics such as transitioning, non-binary identity, and mental health, and has amassed nearly 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. Common topics include the journey toward self-identity, body image, and societal prejudices, as well as topics like sports and nutrition.
Traveling, getting married, becoming a mother—it all happens on the profile of Vanessa Borck, aka Nessiontour. At first, she gave her followers a glimpse into her family life with her first wife and their daughter. After their separation, she appeared on a queer dating show and, alongside a professional dancer, on a dance show, sharing her everyday life as a lesbian woman.
When it comes to polyamory, the best-known name in the German-speaking world is Saskia Michalski. With approximately 100,000 followers, Saskia Michalski talks about life in open relationship models, her own journey to a non-binary (gender) identity, tolerance, and the challenges she faces. Saskia Michalski is also active as an author, podcaster, speaker, and counselor.
Since 2017, Tim Kampmann, also known as twenty4tim Across all platforms: He posts on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, appears on TV shows like “I’m a Celebrity,” and works as a model and singer. On social media, in addition to trends, pranks, and highlights from his life, his boyfriend Edin plays a central role.
Children and adolescents are at a stage in their lives when they are still discovering their identity and their place in the world. They turn to social media, among other places, to seek guidance on all kinds of topics: life paths and career choices, role models, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Influencers offer them a wide range of perspectives. They provide information, foster understanding, and empower young people to have the confidence to forge their own paths. Children and adolescents who identify with the queer community but may not have role models or people they can turn to in their immediate circle, in particular, can feel understood here or connect with like-minded peers.
But even if you aren’t queer yourself, you can broaden your horizons, build understanding and tolerance, and form your own opinions. At the same time, entertainment plays a major role. Queer influencers not only educate but are often creative, funny, stylish, political, playful, or provocative. Young people follow them not necessarily because of a label, but because they find their content engaging.
Whether they identify as queer or not: When children and teens are active on social media and discover influencers, parents can and should guide them through this experience. Show interest, ask questions, and engage with the topics that matter to your child. This way, you’ll stay in the loop, gain insight into their media world, and be able to support them as they grow.
Social media follows its own rules: Many things seem easier, more appealing, or more exciting there than in “real” life. Photos and videos are often heavily edited, and stories are shortened or sensationalized. Furthermore, a lot of content is also aimed at attracting attention or making money. It’s always wise to maintain a certain degree of skepticism online.
So talk to your child about how to make sense of online content: What is personal experience, what is an opinion, and what is advertising? Make it clear that there are also people online whose statements can unsettle, belittle, or harm others. If in doubt, ask questions, take a closer look together, and challenge problematic viewpoints.
Especially when it comes to sensitive topics like gender identity and sexual orientation, every person has their own story. Role models in the media can be important and empowering for children and adolescents. At the same time, they need people in their immediate circle with whom they can talk about their questions, feelings, and experiences—friends, parents, or, for difficult questions, professionals at counseling centers.
