Mediating Queer Visibility: Identity Modulation and Sex Work in Reddit Communities

In an era of increasing content restrictions across digital platforms, specialised Reddit forums have emerged as spaces for queer individuals to express their sexuality, build connections, and market sexual content. While many mainstream social media networks restrict sexual or nude content, Reddit’s moderation structure allows for designated spaces where sexual content can exist. This paper explores the subcultures of three prominent queer and trans-centred NSFW (‘not safe for work’) Reddit communities (subreddits): r/transporn, r/FtMPorn, and r/EnbyLewds. We examined how these digital spaces function simultaneously as sites of identity validation, affirmation, and commerce. Our findings show distinct cultural practices across these subreddits, each with unique approaches to language use, body descriptions, and content moderation. We examine how these spaces can facilitate gender-affirming interactions, allowing users to express identities beyond heteronormative constraints, while also serving as marketing channels for digital sex work. Drawing on Duguay’s concept of ‘identity modulation’ and Tiidenberg’s work on digital self-representation, we analyse how queer content creators strategically adjust their presentation across platforms with different norms and audiences. Our research discusses the intertwining of commercial interests with identity expression and interrogates how moderation practices shape these environments by crafting safer, more inclusive spaces for queer individuals. By fostering supportive and flexible environments, the subreddits create a platform for both affirmation and sexual agency, reflecting the evolving nature of erotic culture within marginalised online communities.