Wickedly Connected: Queer Belonging Through Spooky Socials

The Magic of Queer Spaces

In the digital age, social media has evolved into more than entertainment—it’s a platform for queer self-expression and community building. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, online spaces offer safety, connection, and a place to explore identities that may not align with mainstream norms. This is particularly true during Halloween, a season rooted in creativity, transformation, and play. The intersection of queer identity and spooky aesthetics creates a space where self-expression is both visible and celebrated.

One creator embracing this spirit is Nick Paul, the mind behind The Wicked Pumpkin on TikTok. Inspired by his love of Halloween and his identity as a gay man, Nick has crafted a persona that blends New England charm with a delightfully eerie twist. The “wicked” evokes both local slang and the supernatural, while “pumpkin” captures warmth and seasonal nostalgia. Through this fusion, Nick has built more than a brand—he’s cultivated belonging for those drawn to the intersection of queerness and the macabre.

Haunted Connections: Queer Belonging Online

Social media has become a vital space for LGBTQ+ people to connect, create, and find belonging, especially for those in areas where physical queer spaces are limited. Platforms like TikTok allow queer users to see their experiences reflected, discover untold queer histories, and connect over shared passions that celebrate individuality and identity.

Nick captures this dynamic: “I think it’s become a powerful space to connect with other people who think like you, make new friends, and kind of come up with ideas that you never really thought you could even think of.”

Through spooky, campy, and unapologetically queer content, creators like Nick showcase how Halloween becomes a time for self-expression and joy. From playful costumes to nostalgic horror references, these digital spaces foster communities that feel as warm and familiar as a glowing jack-o’-lantern on a crisp October night.

When the Veil Lifts: TikTok Trends and Queer Play

Every October, social media becomes a playground for costumes, creativity, and camp. For queer creators, Halloween carries a deeper resonance rooted in freedom, self-expression, and community. Trends featuring costume transformations, nostalgic references, and themed sounds allow LGBTQ+ users to reclaim visibility and explore identity in ways that feel both personal and communal.

Nick reflects on the season’s unique power: “I think Halloween is a chance for us to feel a little more free, because usually dressing up is seen as a little weird. But during this season, people don’t really blink twice about it.”

Whether through elaborate costume reveals or viral transitions, these moments highlight how social media amplifies queer voices and nurtures belonging in a playful, authentic way.

Embracing the Outcasts: Halloween as a Queer Tradition

For generations, queer people have identified with characters often labeled as “other.” From classic monsters to misunderstood witches, these figures mirror the struggle for acceptance and authenticity central to the LGBTQ+ experience. Halloween, a celebration of transformation and self-expression, naturally resonates with queer culture.

Nick emphasizes this connection: “We’ve always resonated with the outcasts, and we’ve always been misunderstood.”

In a world that can remain unwelcoming, the holiday offers a moment to reclaim joy and visibility. Through costumes, creativity, and connection, queer people transform what was once considered monstrous into something magical—a celebration of being unapologetically seen.

Digital Campfires: Social Media as Community

Social media platforms serve as modern gathering spaces where queer creators form meaningful connections beyond the screen. TikTok and Instagram allow LGBTQ+ individuals to celebrate shared passions, support one another’s creative endeavors, and cultivate real-world friendships.

Nick captures this sense of community: “I just feel like it’s the power of social media, and like we’re all like, rooting for each other.”

From chance collaborations to shared creative inspiration, online networks function as digital campfires, places to exchange stories, celebrate identity, and remind queer audiences that they are not alone. Seasonal moments like Halloween amplify this sense of play, belonging, and creativity.

Spooky Travels and Queer-Friendly Spaces

Halloween also provides opportunities for queer individuals to explore destinations that celebrate both spooky fun and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Historic towns, ghost tours, and local bars that fuse Pride energy with seasonal flair offer safe, creative spaces to connect.

Nick recommends immersive experiences: “Even if you don’t believe in ghosts or you love spooky things, you’re going on a night tour…learning some great history.”

Local venues, such as Deadbeats in Providence, Rhode Island, exemplify this intersection, hosting Pride-themed events, drag performances, and specialty cocktails that blend celebration and inclusivity. From Salem, Massachusetts, to Kilkenny, Ireland, Halloween becomes a season for creativity, community, and belonging.

Seasonal Sips and Treats: Celebrating Together

Festive flavors, from pumpkin and cinnamon to apple-inspired treats, enhance both in-person and online celebrations. Queer creators and audiences alike use these indulgences to enhance gatherings, parties, and social media content.

Nick shares his favorites: “I love a good pumpkin Espresso Martini… and I’m a sucker for a good old-fashioned.”

These seasonal offerings allow LGBTQ+ communities to savor tradition, creativity, and connection, making the holiday a multisensory celebration of identity and joy.

Queer Creators, Authenticity, and Safe Spaces

Authenticity is central to queer social media communities. LGBTQ+ creators on platforms like TikTok and Instagram model self-expression, community building, and openness. From DIY hobbyists to comedians exploring diverse interests, these creators provide templates for celebrating identity without apology.

Nick emphasizes the importance of genuine content: “Your content when you’re just being yourself and not like overproducing it…that’s what people connect to the most.”

These digital networks, alongside safe in-person spaces, allow queer individuals to exchange ideas, nurture support, and foster belonging that extends beyond the screen.

Finding Belonging Beyond Borders

Queer belonging doesn’t have to be confined to city streets, bars, or traditional LGBTQ+ hubs. While physical spaces have historically offered sanctuary, not everyone finds comfort in those environments, and geographic limitations can make community feel out of reach. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have lowered these barriers, creating opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals across the globe.

Through shared interests, hobbies, and seasonal celebrations like Halloween, LGBTQ+ people can build meaningful connections, foster support networks, and cultivate spaces that feel safe, joyful, and affirming. Even if these communities exist primarily online, they offer real opportunities for connection and shared experience—reminding queer individuals that belonging isn’t defined by proximity, but by the relationships and joy they cultivate along the way.

And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.

For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 163. Queer Belonging in the Digital Age (with Nick Paul).

Tune into your favorite podcast player every Tuesday for new episodes of A Jaded Gay.