Content Warning: This piece contains distressing images, as well as lesbophobic and misogynistic language.
As we step into a new year, it is disheartening to acknowledge that the lesbian community continues to face persistent challenges. One of the most painful issues is the prevalence of lesbophobic content on social media platforms and the alarming reluctance of these platforms to take meaningful action.
A glaring example is a Reddit community originally titled r/dykeconversion, which has since been rebranded as r/sapphicsexualityplay. Despite the name change, the harmful essence of the group remains unaltered.
The rebranding, announced at the end of 2024, purportedly aims to shift the focus to “sapphic desires” of being coerced into heterosexuality by men, distancing itself from direct endorsements of rape or forced conversion. However, the announcement betrayed the underlying reality: male users—who dominate the community—expressed concerns about losing their freedom to post explicit fantasies of raping lesbians. Moderators reassured them that only the name was changing, not the substance of the content.
The men in these spaces position themselves as more sophisticated than “ordinary” lesbophobes, but their obsession with controlling, abusing, and violating lesbians who want nothing to do with them is arguably worse. No amount of justification involving “fantasies” or claims of consent can erase the inherent lesbophobia of fantasising about the rape and coercion of lesbians.
The content on r/sapphicsexualityplay remains indistinguishable from what was previously posted on r/dykeconversion, as we documented in a 2024 article. A superficial name change does nothing to mitigate the harm caused by this space.
The group defends itself by claiming to cater to lesbians interested in the “fantasy” of being abused and “converted” by men. This premise is fundamentally flawed. Lesbians are exclusively attracted to women. A woman who derives any form of arousal from sexual scenarios involving men is, by definition, not a lesbian.
At best, one could argue that some lesbians engaging with this content are grappling with internalised lesbophobia and societal pressure to conform. But even in these rare cases, men promoting such content are not allies—they are predators exploiting vulnerability. A lesbian wrestling with internalised lesbophobia needs compassion, support, and access to affirming resources. Instead, these men weaponise her struggle, twisting it into a fetish that perpetuates harm.
The broader problem lies in the lack of safe spaces for lesbians on platforms like Reddit. While communities such as r/lesbiangang, r/lezconnect, and r/actuallylesbian work tirelessly to foster support and positivity, they face relentless harassment from brigading users. Platform administrators often fail to protect these spaces, leading to closures and suppression of authentic lesbian voices. Meanwhile, a community dedicated to the sexualisation, coercion, and abuse of lesbians continues unabated.
Reddit’s prioritisation of “free speech” for those advocating lesbophobic content over the safety and dignity of lesbians is both predictable and unacceptable. This double standard ensures that lesbians are scrutinised and stifled in ways other communities are not.
The harm caused by communities like r/sapphicsexualityplay is not confined to the virtual world. The rhetoric spills into reality, with men harassing lesbians online and offline using the same language and ideology fostered in these spaces. Stories of lesbians being assaulted by men who believe they can “convert” them are tragically common. Real-world lesbian spaces are frequently infiltrated by men seeking access to women who have made it clear they are not interested.
There is no “right man” for lesbians. The existence of such fantasies—and the platforms that enable them—fuels ongoing violence and harassment against our community.
The fight against lesbophobia requires all of us to take action. Restless Violets readers, we urge you to join us in demanding accountability from social media platforms by signing this petition to ban the subreddit formerly known as r/dykeconversion (now r/sapphicsexualityplay). This toxic community perpetuates harmful rhetoric and fantasies that endanger lesbian women both online and offline. By signing, you’re sending a clear message: lesbophobia has no place in our society. Together, we can make a difference.
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