Seven years later, #LforLove remains a groundbreaking testament to redefining lesbian relationships beyond harmful stereotypes in Indian media.

Redefining Love – #LforLove

In a country where patriarchy is deeply entrenched being a woman isn’t always easy. Being openly lesbian on the other hand, is well, almost impossible. More so, when rampant pornography defines what a lesbian relationship stands for. Which is why, it is hardly surprising what a Google image search for ‘lesbian’ shows up – smooching, petting, kissing.. you get the picture. And it’s even worse on Twitter.

Love Matters (India) – a platform that provides information on relationships, sex and gender equality is hoping to change this. With #LforLove – a campaign that shines the light on the emotions that connect two people. Irrespective of their sexual preference. And put a stop to the portrayal of homosexual women as objects of fantasy. So they are accepted for who they are – human beings who need to be respected loved and accepted for who they are.

The campaign, created in consultation with the community made it possible for audiences to ask questions to a lesbian, anonymously. And answered them through a photographic series with a twist, also shot by a member of the community.

Understanding The Campaign – A Positive Narrative To Lesbian Relations

“Positive portrayal of homosexual relationships and more so, lesbian relationships are completely non-existent in media. We wanted to design a campaign that tackles homophobia against lesbians and create conversations around sexuality and gender. The idea was to create positive narratives that help build empathy, understanding and acceptance. The beauty of the campaign was that the insights came from discussions with lesbian women,” said Vithika Yadav, Head – Love Matters, India.

Burzin Mehta, Group Creative Director at Ogilvy, Mumbai, the agency that created the campaign explained,

“There’s enough social stigma attached to being lesbian in our country. Add to that the imagery that pornography fuels and what you get is an absolutely warped perception of what lesbian relationships stand for. So we consulted with members of the community throughout the campaign and also got Monisha – a proud lesbian photographer, to shoot the pics.”

“Given the nature of the campaign, we made it possible for audiences to ask questions to a lesbian, anonymously. Predictably, most of them stemmed from homophobia and porn. Answering them the way we have, has resonated very positively with the community. That’s a truly heartening feeling. While it has triggered a conversation, let’s hope it goes beyond and results in greater acceptance of the community by the industry, by brands and by consumers alike,” he added.

Monisha Ajgaonkar, the photographer of the series said, “As part of the LGBTQ community, this campaign spoke to me on a personal level. Lesbians are mostly portrayed as either highly sexual beings or as abnormal girls who are tomboyish and unhappy which is completely unrealistic. Campaigns like #LforLove will go a long way in normalising the status of lesbians in society.”

You can check out the entire campaign here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the #LforLove campaign by Love Matters India?

The #LforLove campaign is an initiative by Love Matters India that showcases authentic lesbian relationships through photography. Created in consultation with the LGBTQ+ community, it aims to combat homophobia and replace exploitative portrayals with respectful, human-centered narratives that promote empathy and acceptance.

Why is positive portrayal of lesbian relationships important in Indian media?

Positive portrayals challenge stereotypes and combat discrimination. In India, lesbian relationships are often either invisible or reduced to sexual fantasy in mainstream media. Authentic representation helps build societal understanding, reduces stigma, and allows lesbian women to be recognized as full human beings deserving of love and respect.

How does Love Matters India address homophobia through this campaign?

The campaign tackles homophobia by creating conversations around sexuality and gender through community-led photography. By allowing people to ask anonymous questions answered by community members, it fosters dialogue, builds understanding, and shifts public perception from objectification to genuine human connection.

What role does the LGBTQ+ community play in #LforLove?

Community members were actively involved in designing the campaign and creating the photographic series. A lesbian photographer shot the images, ensuring authentic representation and lived-experience perspectives. This participatory approach guarantees the campaign reflects true voices rather than external interpretations.

How can people engage with the #LforLove campaign?

People can engage by viewing the photographic series and learning about real lesbian relationships and experiences. The campaign encourages asking anonymous questions to community members, fostering dialogue and creating safe spaces for people to understand diverse perspectives on love, relationships, and gender identity.