ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author presents a case study analysis of one nonbinary Tumblr blogger. He builds upon existing literature about online communities and counterpublics, noting the differences between the two and how the theorisation of counterpublics may positively influence our understanding of online communities. The author then discusses the community-building practices shown by both Daniel and his followers, with a focus on interpersonal relationships, shared resources and support. In the exchange between answers and asks on Daniel's blog, his answers are not the only sites of community building. Through answered asks on Tumblr, one of the most prominent forms of communication on the platform, Daniel both performs and receives community-building practices. One of the strongest contributing factors to Tumblr blogger ethos is openness. Openness as a strategy for both ethos and community building may help us to better understand the function of both in an online environment.
