When it comes to an online space, especially one that is welcoming of all identities and does not discriminate, it is integral to recognize the positive impacts in which it has had on the many individuals that are a part of it. While this online space serves for the greater good and has a different purpose for each individual user within it, its impacts stretch far beyond the eye.
In a world so cruel and close-minded, a space that was built to connect individuals who feel alone, unwanted, and disrespected relieved these feelings at last. While the public sphere still evokes these feelings and reminds them of their marginalization, this digital space is an outlet that embraces and appreciates all of its members. As we explored earlier, support looks like so many different things and can be measured differently. This space has brought together millions and millions of individuals like-minded and garnered a sense of safety and acceptance. In this space, there is freedom of expression without the worry of backlash and hate from the majority. While we noted earlier that at times, there is some form of hate speech or trolls, the vast majority of the content in the space is positive matters. Stretching far beyond just Twitter, "The impact on Facebook in just one hour after the decision by the Court was monumental. The likes, posts and shares by 3.8 million people in the U.S. resulted in 10.1 million interactions in that time alone based on data provided by Facebook Insights...In the four hours after the decision was announced, there were more than 6.2 million Tweets about the Supreme Court's ruling. As the news broke, the number of Tweets spiked, eventually peaking at roughly 20,000 Tweets per Minute as reported by Twitter" (Aslam). This decision was only the start of what would grow one of the most impactful online communities. Since then, there are several different derivatives of this hashtag that are continually trending. All hashtags that relate to the LGBTQ+ community are at a constant topic of conversation, often seen trending beside #LoveWins is: #LoveIsLove, #MarriageEquality #EqualityForAll. But ##LoveWins quickly became the top trending and most often circulated.
When it comes to alliances, this space connects individuals with beliefs alike. Within the hashtag, you can find users who all share ideals that coincide with yours and are willing to communicate, advocate, and stand with you regardless of what life throws at you. What you as an individual go through, impacts them as a community. What this looks like in terms of the digital space, is the ability to quickly connect with users who are willing to work with you toward what you are reaching for. An ally is someone who "builds relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals and/or groups of people" (Atcheson). That being said, in this space, we see the power of alliances in this community when it comes to events like protests and marches especially. An article regarding the power of hashtags by writer Melissa Ann states, “[f]or protest organizers, social media is a fast and easy way to create the platform, and that makes it easier for people to congregate..social media is a great way for us to organize. We can find like-minded people faster" (Ann). The hashtag connects everyone and keeps all users in the space up-to-date and aware, and through the constant utilization of it; especially for the coordination of movements, rallies, marches, and protests, it binds users from all over to a particular location outside from the digital boundaries, and unifies them in the public sphere to fight for what they deserve.
Overall
Without the overwhelming amounts of support coming from individuals who either identify with the LGBTQ+ community or are just allies, the impact of this online space would not be anywhere close to how influential it remains today. As a direct result of the engagement, whether that be liking, tweeting, retweeting, or following the hashtag, this space is continually trending, growing, and vocalizing issues that get silenced or pushed under the rug in the mainstream media. This space is one that encourages conversation no matter the issue: big or small, and is a space for growth and understanding. There is a place and sense of belonging for any identity, and an army of millions of people willing to listen to you, educate you, fight with you, and empower you.