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New Research Reveals Positive Associations Between Online Content Creators and Community Connection for LGBTQ+ Young People

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SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Hopelab, in collaboration with media psychology expert Dr. Bradley Bond, sheds light on the powerful role that social media and parasocial relationships play in the lives of LGBTQ+ young people. The study, Parasocial Relationships, AI Chatbots, and Joyful Online Interactions Among a Diverse Sample of LGBTQ+ Young People provides a nuanced understanding of how unique online connections with media figures, such as social media content creators, contribute to the positive experiences, community connection, and identity development for Queer young people. The study also features data on LGBTQ+ young people’s use of AI chatbots to engage in interactive conversations.

The findings suggest that parasocial relationships—one-sided relationships formed with media figures—are strong sources of support and connection for LGBTQ+ young people, a group that experiences loneliness and depression at significantly higher rates than their peers. The data suggest that parasocial relationships are also especially important for transgender and nonbinary young people.

“Conversations about the well-being of LGBTQ+ young people often focus primarily on harms, rather than ways to improve joy,” said Dr. Mike Parent, Principal Researcher at Hopelab. “Our data highlight that visibility matters and relatable content creators provide a pathway to the development of programs and policies that support Queer young people as they navigate an evolving technology ecosystem.”

Key Findings:

Transgender and nonbinary young people benefit most from parasocial relationships: These connections are linked to higher levels of transgender pride and community connectedness among transgender and nonbinary young people.Smaller-scale content creators resonate deeply: LGBTQ+ young people often identify with smaller, relatable creators whose content feels authentic and less curated. These creators frequently focus on personal growth and LGBTQ+ identity.High chatbot use among transgender and nonbinary youth: 40% of respondents report engaging with AI chatbots for ongoing conversations, with another 16% indicating openness to using chatbots in the future.Online interactions foster joy and connection: LGBTQ+ young people report finding joy through supportive online conversations, connecting with others who share similar identities, and experiencing relatability that helps them feel less alone.

Additionally, the report examines the use of social media and generative AI, highlighting that tools such as chatbots may lessen the impact of in-person isolation and loneliness for transgender and nonbinary young people. A greater understanding of the ways LGBTQ+ young people navigate emergent technology and leverage parasocial relationships is crucial to informing efforts that minimize harm while constructing social media literacy and developing policies and programs in support of Queer joy.

“In a hetero- and cisgender-normative society, it is essential for marginalized populations, such as transgender and nonbinary young people, to have access to resources as they develop their sexual and gender identities,” said Dr. Bradley Bond, media psychology and parasocial relationship expert. “Parasocial relationships and technology like generative AI can play a vital role for LGBTQ+ young people who are dealing with isolation and lack of in-person support.”

Data for this study was collected via a national survey of 1,715 U.S.-based LGBTQ+ teens and young adults, ages 13-22. To provide additional depth and context, Hopelab conducted co-distillation and sense-making sessions with nine LGBTQ+ young people, offering a fuller perspective on the findings.

Download the full report here.

About Hopelab
Hopelab envisions a future where young people have equitable opportunities to live joyful and purposeful lives. As a researcher, convener, and science translator, Hopelab is dedicated to fostering greater mental health and well-being outcomes for young people. Learn more at hopelab.org.

Bradley J. Bond, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of San Diego. His research examines the development and maintenance of parasocial relationships with media personae and the influence of media on identity and outgroup attitudes. Much of his current work focuses on the depiction of marginalized individuals in entertainment media and the effects of exposure on identity, stereotypes, and prejudices. He serves as a Research Associate with the Media and Diversity Center, on the Advisory Council for the Center for Scholars & Storytellers, and as Board President for FilmOut San Diego.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-reveals-positive-associations-between-online-content-creators-and-community-connection-for-lgbtq-young-people-302263271.html

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JSAUX joins Black Friday with big deals on their website and Amazon Store

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Visitors can enjoy discounts of up to 60% and Limited Flash Sales from November 21st to December 5th

HONG KONG, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — After a whole month of deals, the discounts are only getting higher with Black Friday approaching. From November 21st to December 2nd, the JSAUX Amazon Store will offer big discounts ranging from 20% to 30% on their best-selling items. Meanwhile, the Black Friday event on their official website has already entered its second phase, featuring Flash Sales featuring ROG Ally products until November 25th.

During the Flash Sales, participating products will enjoy substantial discounts, along with other regular offers. Additionally, closer to the end of the month, JSAUX will host a Black Friday Mega Sale on their website from November 25th to December 5th, offering even more deals across a wide range of items.

Along with their sales, JSAUX is proud to announce the release of the white version of the 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station (HB0609). This Docking Station is compatible with ROG Ally X, ROG Ally, Steam Deck, and Legion Go. However, it’s designed to fit with the new white Steam Deck OLED seamlessly. It supports speed charging and the following connectivity options:

4K@120Hz HDMI outputGigabit LAN EthernetUSB-C PD chargingUSB-C 3.2 Gen 1dual USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports

Another product that will be available soon is the RGB transparent back plate for the ROG Ally X (PC0112), adding 8 RGBs on each side of the ROG Ally X and offering three lighting modes.

The RGB backplate is designed to improve ventilation with an integrated aluminum cooling module and comes with a black silicone sleeve for better handling.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of JSAUX’s Black Friday sales:

JSAUX Amazon Store (November 21 – December 2) will offer discounts of up to 30% on products for digital nomads and gamers alike. Featuring the FlipGo Lite 15.6 with 20% off, the biggest discount to date; and accessories for handhelds.JSAUX Official website Flash Sales (November 21 – 25) will offer special flash sales on ROG Ally accessories with up to 60% discount.JSAUX Official website Black Friday Mega Sale (November 25th – December 5th) will offer customers who purchase a 13.5″ or 16″ FlipGo will receive a portable screen storage bag. Additionally, all orders will earn double points.

And here are some of the most significant discounts during JSAUX’s Black Friday sale:

Transparent Back Plate for ROG Ally (60% off) – $15.99Transparent Back Plate for ROG Ally — Heat Sink Plate (57% off) – $2.99Silicone Grip Case Set for ROG Ally (50% off) – $7.993-in-1 45W Charger Dock (35% off) – $29.99Battery Pack for Oculus Quest 3 2 (30% off) – $25.89Docking Station USB-C 6-in-1(25% off) – $29.99FlipGo Lite 15.6″ (20% off) – $239.99Steam Deck ModCase (20% off) – $23.99RGB Docking Station 12-in-1 (20% off) $68.79

ASSETS

All visual assets for JSAUX’s products can be found at this link.

CONTACT

For further information requests, feel free to contact us at melody@jsaux.com. Also, you can reach out to a brand representative and follow the new product updates on social media!

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ABOUT JSAUX

JSAUX, a pioneer brand in innovation and quality, boasts products that are best-sellers across over 100 countries and regions worldwide, serving more than 20 million consumers. Since 2016, multiple JSAUX product lines sold on Amazon have been designated as “#1 Best Sellers”, ranking first in several categories. This success has solidified JSAUX’s foothold in the electronics accessories market and has further established the brand as one of the top 100 Chinese brands on Amazon.

In 2022, JSAUX swiftly rose to become one of the most popular brands in gaming accessories, firmly establishing itself as the premier brand for Steam Deck accessories. The brand’s strong product innovation, superior quality, robust supply chain, and consumer-centric brand strategy have enabled it to continuously design and produce outstanding products over the past seven years. This accomplishment is the result of seamless coordination within our internal teams, spanning from research and development to product manufacturing and global marketing.

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Healthy Together Partners with The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to Modernize and Expand Access to Fresh Produce

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MIAMI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Healthy Together is proud to announce its partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to enhance the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) through an innovative digital solution. The solution is designed to improve access to fresh, locally grown produce for low-income Florida families participating in WIC. This initiative addresses the unique challenges posed by Florida’s diverse farmers market landscape, ensuring an efficient experience for all participants.

Florida’s farmers markets vary in size, location, and technological capabilities. While urban markets are more equipped to adapt to electronic payment systems, rural markets often face obstacles such as limited internet access and technological infrastructure. Healthy Together’s FMNP solution is designed with market diversity in mind, offering a flexible platform that can be customized to meet the needs of all Florida markets.

The transition from a paper-based coupon system to Healthy Together’s digital platform marks a major advancement in Florida. By adopting digital payment methods, farmers can efficiently process transactions using in-app QR codes, leading to faster and more secure exchanges. This change modernizes the purchasing experience for participants and improves operational efficiency, allowing them to utilize benefits more effectively and access fresh produce with greater convenience.

“We’ve developed an e-solution that accommodates the full spectrum of Florida’s farmers markets needs.” said Jared Allgood, CEO of Healthy Together. “By providing a seamless user interface, we can ensure that all staff, farmers and shoppers can more easily engage and participate in the program.”

Key Objectives for Florida’s Healthy Together FMNP Solution

Transition to a Single Electronic Solution: Streamline Florida’s Farmers Market Nutrition Program by consolidating various systems into one comprehensive electronic platform.Accommodate Diverse Markets: Ensure the solution can be adapted to Florida’s varied farmers markets, from urban to rural settings.User-Friendly Experience: Provide an intuitive interface that makes the transition to an electronic solution simple and accessible for all Florida participants.Hybrid Solution: Offer flexible options for users to access their benefits via a mobile app or a card with QR code functionality.Simplify Administrative Work: Reduce the administrative burden for staff by minimizing manual tasks.Flexible Purchasing Options: Allow participants to purchase produce based on actual amounts instead of fixed increments, enhancing their buying experience.Integrated Communication Services: Enhance communication through integrated features that support alerts, confirmations, and reminders.Efficient Reporting Capabilities: Provide better reporting and insights into program performance and effectiveness.

Healthy Together also deployed its digital FMNP solution with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, supporting farmers and low-income shoppers across the state. This collaboration expands a growing portfolio and illustrates Healthy Together’s commitment to making fresh produce more accessible in diverse communities across the nation.

By embracing innovative technology and addressing the specific challenges of Florida’s farmers markets, Healthy Together and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are committed to fostering healthier communities and supporting local agriculture.

For more information about Healthy Together’s FMNP solution, please visit www.healthytogether.co.

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Sorenson Forum Named to Fast Company’s 2024 Next Big Things in Tech

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Sorenson has been recognized alongside brands such as Adobe, Amazon, Disney, Samsung, and others for groundbreaking technology that profoundly impacts consumers, industries, and society

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sorenson, a global leader in communication solutions, is honored to announce that its groundbreaking AI-powered language solution for events, Sorenson Forum, was named to Fast Company’s 2024 Next Big Things in Tech in the Enterprise award category for “hardware, software, and services that change how business gets done.”

This year, a panel of judges evaluated over 1,300 applications to select the top 138 honorees.

Sorenson Forum is revolutionizing real-time communication by providing remote simultaneous interpreting and captioning across 25 languages and 45 dialects. This innovative solution empowers organizations to create fully inclusive, accessible events that bridge language barriers and connect diverse language audiences in real-time.

“We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company for our work to develop cutting-edge language solutions,” said Paget Alves, CEO of Sorenson, which connects more than 140 million conversations across all business lines each year. “Sorenson Forum is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our dedication to creating a more inclusive world.”

Sorenson Forum is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. Participants can easily join a session and select their preferred language, and the platform will automatically produce interpreted audio, captions, and transcripts in real-time. Whether it’s a global conference, a multinational team meeting, or a classroom setting, Sorenson Forum ensures that everyone can participate and understand.

“Sorenson Forum represents a significant leap forward in making real-time communication accessible to a global audience,” explained Ryan Sullivan, Chief Product Officer of Sorenson. “This innovative tool, with its intuitive design, user-friendly interface, and powerful AI model, paves the way for a more inclusive and connected world.”

Sullivan believes that accessibility goes beyond technical prowess – it’s about user experience. Unlike other multilingual tools, Sorenson Forum offers a more seamless experience for meeting hosts. Participation is effortless, with users simply joining a session using a PIN or QR code displayed by the host. And unlike other multilingual CART or interpretation tools, Sorenson Forum eliminates cost and complexity for both organizers and participants. Organizers simply share a link to a virtual meeting room, accessible on any browser, iOS, or Android device.

“In today’s globalized environment, communication transcends language barriers, empowering individuals to participate, learn, and thrive,” Sullivan said. “Sorenson is proud to be at the forefront of this technology.”

Sorenson Forum will be officially unveiled at the Language Lounge, a media-only event on Jan. 7, during CES 2025 in Las Vegas. This immersive experience will showcase the power of Sorenson’s language solutions and provide tech media with a firsthand look at the future of communication. The Language Lounge is a by-invitation-only event offering a rare, hands-on experience that will include:

Real-time demos: See Sorenson’s newest translation tools in action.Exclusive access: Meet Sorenson CPO Ryan Sullivan and uncover exclusive insights behind our innovations.Intrigue and connection: Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and the latest in tech to break language barriers.

Please note that space is limited, so be sure to register early for your invitation to the Language Lounge: Learn More.

View this announcement in Spanish or ASL.

About Sorenson

Sorenson is one of the world’s leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for underrepresented people through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually— Sorenson fosters inclusive workplaces and job creation through communication accessibility and saves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives LLC’s Project Black Fund®, which aims to scale sustainable minority-owned businesses to serve as leading vendors to Fortune 500 companies, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more about our responsible business practices and efforts to advance human connection, visit sorenson.com or es.sorenson.com

Sorenson Press Contact
Denisse Tamez
Director of Public Relations
Sorenson – (801) 287-9400
dtamez@sorenson.com

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