Yesterday the Twitterverse was all abuzz at the launch of #samesexsunday. #samesexsunday is an idea I cooked to connect LGBT Twitterers and share news and information.
The concept is pretty simple. Its #followfriday gone gay, gay, gay.
Each Sunday recommend LGBT people or organizations on Twitter that you think others should be following. Say a few words to describe the people/groups, link to their Twitter account and end with the hashtag #samesexsunday.
Example: Mad, bad and fabulous to know: @bilerico @jerame @buffawhat @bilericodc #samesexsunday
The meme worked so well that it was one of the top trending topics of Sunday.
It also caught the attention of our blogger brethren at Blabbeando
The concept sounded intriguing: Beginning yesterday and on a weekly basis LGBT folk who have Twitter accounts get to recommend their favorite LGBT Twitterers by tagging them and adding #samesexsunday to the message. I mostly use my Twitter account to follow the latest from LGBT organizations and influential LGBT folk so I happily "pounded" my way through my lists and then realized that lots of folk were noticing thanks to the #samesexsunday hashtag.
And then it was, like, an 'Ah-ha!' moment as I finally realized the potential of Twitter which had eluded me all these months. The beauty of it is that you can discover all sorts of interesting people (and bloggers) just by searching for samesexsunday on Twitter.
and Queerty
Twitter's not just for breaking news, however. Unlike traditional one-way media, Twitter allows users to respond to each other, meaning that news becomes a conversation. Consider Same Sex Sunday, an idea hatched by the kids over at the Bilerico project. The concept is simple: Tell folks about your favorite gay Twitterers and include the "hash tag" (a way of making similar tweets easily searchable) #samesexsunday. By putting like-minded folks in touch with each other, news carries.
Tuesday is the launch of #transtuesday coined by @allysonrobinson to connect transpeople and supporters and share news and info.
What the success of #samesexsunday and the launch of #transtuesday show is that Twitter (and other social networking sites) can be powerful tools to build the LGBT community and spread breaking news.
Be sure to check out #transtuesday and #samesexsunday each week.
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8 Comments
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I actually unfollowed some people because they wouldn't stop spamming my account with same sex sunday junk ALL GODDAMN DAY. Now we're going to have to deal with it twice a week, plus the usual orgy of irrelevance that is follow friday?
I can't be the only one annoyed with the twitter spam. Look, if I want to know who you think I should follow, I'LL ASK. Better yet, I'll look at who you follow.
What I won't do is follow somebody because you and a truckload of other people start throwing garbage on my front page.
Matt Algren | April 6, 2009 5:12 PM
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Its your right not to share in the LGBT community building and sharing of information that is #samesexsunday. By virtue of being a social networking site, Twitter was made for conversation and sharing. You don't have to participate if you don't want to.
Michael Crawford | April 6, 2009 5:23 PM
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Matt, people are tired of Twitter spam. Look for the backlash. It's already happening.
I didn't get any messages (I solely use Twitter for business and industry networking, not personal matters), but I can relate with Matt. Twitter is, sadly, now mostly for people seeking approval by gathering as many "friends" as possible. But anyone using Twitter effectively knows to not bother with those people right away. I have noticed the more someone Tweets, the less interesting their actual life tends to be.
If your goal is to get people to your site, you will easily accomplish this. I encourage you, however, to encourage active dialogue, not merely texts announcing your presence. You could be on to something good here.
chuck | April 6, 2009 6:33 PM
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Chuck,
The goal is to encourage active discussion and info sharing. That's why I shared this post about gay men and HIV: http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/04/beyond_the_tipping-point_the_modern_hiv.php#more
Because of the open nature of Twitter, there will be some stuff that some may consider irrelevant or unimportant. But, there will also be lots of good info and people to connect with.
I hope that you check it out and find it worthwhile.
Michael Crawford | April 6, 2009 6:45 PM
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Zing?
Nick | April 6, 2009 5:25 PM
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I noticed this casually on Sunday, didn't quite understand it and didn't have the time investigate. Thanx for explaining. Now I'm looking forward to it. :-)
Taylor Siluwé | April 6, 2009 5:54 PM
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Pity. Among the fundamentals of Web 2.0 are user-created content, active collaboration and feedback from others, and the ability for consumers to customize their experience. I wasn't just watching the SSS hashes of those whom I follow--I was actively searching Twitter for the hash and picking up on all sorts of interesting people, and I found people following me based on the same behavior.
As for #transtuesday, I'll pay attention to the hash from people whom I follow, but I'm not going to go hunting it down.
If you want some real fun, check out #polywednesday and #kinkthursday which some of us are going to attempt to get rolling. #bearsaturday may be next
@bigolpoofter
bigolpoofter | April 6, 2009 6:15 PM
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Twitter this, twitter that.
How about...
Forgetaboutit Friday.
And go for walk or have drink.
And if you need to multitask, do both at the same time.
Renee | April 6, 2009 10:47 PM
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