BTU Twitter Spaces

As a service to the fandom community, the BTU is hosting spaces on a wide range of topics related to the fandom experience. On this page we provide the edited audio recordings, which you can listen to similar to a podcast. Enjoy!

Chosen Family

Date: February 22, 2023 

Topic: Feb 22nd is National Chosen Family Day in the US. Plse join us, a representative from ItGetsBetter, & others with lived Chosen Family experience for a Twitter space. We'll be sharing experience, strength & hope while honoring Chosen Family.

Stream or Download here: BTU space: Chosen Family.mp3 (53 MB, 1 hour and 8 minutes)

Concert Tips & Tricks 

Date: July 7th, 2023 & August 7th, 2023

Topic: We invited a group of experienced concert goers to share their experiences and give advice for how to have the best and most fulfilling concert experience. The key points of this space are also summarised in writing here: Concert Resources 

Stream or Download here: 

• BTU space: Concert Tips (part 1).mp3 (75 MB, 1 hour and 21 minutes)

• BTU space: Concert Tips (part 2).mp3 (73 MB, 1 hour and 20 minutes)

Mental Health & wellness on the timeline 

Date: October 7th, 2023 

Topic: Our small panel of fandom members delved into mental health & wellness topics from their perspective of being online in a fandom. Please read: As this space deals with some very serious topics, please check the trigger warnings provided below.

Stream or Download here: BTU space: Mental Health.mp3 (103 MB, 1 hour and 52 minutes)

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 Introductions 

• Beware: Mention of bulimia (around 0:13:26)

0:17:12 Question 1: Was or is mental health care available to you in your location?

• Beware: Mention of self-harm (0:18:23 - 0:19:49), 

• suicidal tendencies (0:23:47 - 0:24:15), 

• attempted suicide (0:28:52 - 0:29:42), 

• eating disorder (0:30:27 - 0:30:35), 

• attempted suicide (0:38:49 - 0:40:32)

0:41:16 Question 2: What impact did music have on your mental health?

0:53:11 Question 3: Do you consider yourself an active participant in the fandom, and why?

1:03:42 Question 4: What do you wish you knew about stan twitter/instagram before you joined?

• Beware: Mention of suicides in the fandom (1:20:17 - 1:22:20)

1:24:29 Question 5: Have you found a community of friends online, and what kinds of relationships have you formed?

1:32:54 Question 6: How can online communities maintain a safe and inclusive environment for neurodiverse individuals?

1:42:51 Closing words

One year of FITF: How did it impact you?

Date: November 7th, 2023 

Topic: In this open mic space, fans shared some incredible stories with us about the impact Louis & the album FITF have had on their lives over this past year. Please note that there are trigger warnings given throughout, as fans discuss how FITF has helped them through severe mental health issues, eating disorders, loss, trauma and illness. We're pointing out the most broadly triggering sections so you can avoid them as needed:

• description of suicide attempt (the person survived): 0:38:22 - 0:44:30

• description of stillbirth: 0:45:16 - 0:48:23

• first-hand account of war and displacement: 0:52:05-0:58:00

Stream or Download here: BTU space: FITF Open Mic.mp3 (90 MB, 1 hour and 38 minutes)