This is not surprising. Both lesbians and witches have been at the forefront of feminism throughout history. Modern age witches are known for their feminism and activism, hosting parades and events to cultivate diversity and solidarity. The entire presence of lesbians rejects any dependence on men, so it is obvious that lesbians are passionate about equal rights for women. Both groups have been discriminated against, targeted, and killed for their identities. It is does not matter whether the accusations or rumors are true; both groups can identify with the same experience of an undeserved damnation by men and groups of power.
Both groups have experienced negative stigma. The stigma of witches is to be insane, unhinged, emotional women who turn to evil magic, often aimed at harming "innocent" men and vulnerable people. Woman who reject witchcraft are innocent, clean, submissive beings at the servitude of men. Meanwhile, lesbians are assigned to be ugly, dirty, hypersexual beings because of the rejection of men as romantic partners. Additionally, masculine presenting lesbian woman experience their own unique stigma and stereotypes that separate them from womanhood. Both groups experience harm and violence by men, but also a separation from other women as well.
These two identities find many commonalities in each other, and this explains why many lesbians are turning to witchcraft in the age of the internet.
I find myself to be on this special corner of the internet, where many LGBTQ+ witches post magical content and share experiences. On a personal level, almost all of my queer identifying friends own crystals, tarot cards, or other magic influenced objects. I have never deeply considered the connection between the two identities, but it makes a lot of sense. There is a safety in finding groups of similar experiences; we feel less alone in a world that has not always been so kind to people like us.
Thanks for commenting on the connections between lesbians and witches. I think everything you have stated is valid. But I would add that most women who were persecuted, and the many who were executed, were not practicing witches. The label "witch" was used as an othering device. It's hard to generalize on the witch hunts that occurred over a four century period, but I would guess a majority of the women accused were marginalized one way or another before they were accused. Their marginalization made them easy targets. I don't really know how many were defiant of the patriarchy. Surely some were. I often wonder how social media and the internet is changing all of us. I can't say how, but I would say the changes are radical and revolutionary.
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