Exploring the Digital Community Building Among Filipino Gay Men with HIV in Alter Spaces

Abstract

The HIV epidemic in the Philippines continues to rise, with Filipino men who have sex with men living with HIV (MSMLHIVs) facing persistent stigma and discrimination that impact their health management, emotional well-being, and social support systems. In response, many MSMLHIVs have turned to alter accounts on X (formerly Twitter) as a means of building and sustaining digital communities, where they can freely express themselves while maintaining anonymity. This study employs descriptive phenomenology to explore the lived experiences of MSMLHIVs in these digital spaces, particularly focusing on how alter account interactions influence their personal health management, emotional resilience, and sense of belonging.

Findings reveal that alter communities on X serve as safe spaces where MSMLHIVs can seek peer support, exchange health-related information, and navigate identity formation without fear of judgment. These communities provide psychosocial benefits, offering a sense of security, solidarity, and empowerment. However, challenges such as misinformation, emotional detachment, and digital trust concerns also emerged, highlighting the complexities of navigating online anonymity. While digital interactions supplement gaps in offline support systems, they do not fully replace the need for institutional interventions, inclusive policies, and structured mental health programs. This study contributes to the discourse on digital community-building, queer safe spaces, and health communication by providing critical insights for health professionals, policymakers, and social media platforms to improve inclusive and stigma-free support systems for MSMLHIVs. Future research is recommended to explore longitudinal effects of digital community engagement and the role of AI-driven interventions in HIV advocacy and mental health support.

Keywords: MSM, PLHIV, HIV stigma, digital communities, alter accounts, social support, health communication, phenomenology