DescriptionIn this dissertation, I argue that people pursuing non-normative sexual politics have organized to harness and appropriate social media platforms to meet the needs of counterpublic communication. Building on various conceptions of public sphere and counterpublic theory as well as studies of the politics of the Internet and social media technologies, I focus on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on identity formation, social movement mobilization, and interpersonal communication, all important communicative components in sexual politics. The sites of this dissertation are media objects, use practices, and platforms that encourage alternatives to heteronormativity, homonormativity, and the cultural emphasis on marriage. I concentrate my study on the following contemporary case studies, which show a number of ways that normativities can be challenged in contemporary America: the formation of an active “asexual” community online, two campaigns against hetero- or homo-normativities that have produced print and online media, and dating and sex websites and apps that promote alternative courtship and socialization practices.