TL;DR
- Elle Kennedy’s ‘Off Campus’ series faces backlash for alleged lesbophobia.
- Critics claim her portrayal of lesbian characters is fetishizing.
- Kennedy’s response to writing F/F romance has drawn ire.
- Social media influencers are leading the charge against her.
- The controversy raises questions about representation in romance.
Hold onto your hockey sticks, because the romance world is in a frenzy! Elle Kennedy’s latest series, Off Campus, is not just scoring goals in the ratings, but it’s also igniting a fiery debate over its alleged lesbophobia. Yes, you heard that right. This spicy hockey romance is causing quite the stir, and it’s not just about the on-ice action.
Since its debut, Off Campus has skyrocketed to the top of Prime Video’s streaming charts, catapulting its young stars into the limelight. But with fame comes scrutiny, and Kennedy is facing some serious heat for how she portrays lesbian characters in her books. Critics are calling out the misogyny and fetishization that they claim permeates her writing, and they’re not holding back.
So, what’s the tea? TikTok creator Alyssa (@_alyssalibrary_) has gone viral for her scathing critique of Kennedy’s work, highlighting how lesbian scenes in the Off Campus series often serve male characters’ fantasies rather than authentically representing sapphic relationships. “When the only time you write WLW relationships… is for the men in your books to get off to, that is fetishization. That is disgusting,” Alyssa stated in her viral video. And she’s not alone in her outrage.
In the second book, The Mistake, one character fetishizes a sapphic make-out scene, saying, “ten bucks says that video will wind up on one of those free porn sites.” This kind of writing has left many readers feeling uncomfortable and disgusted, questioning how Kennedy can still be celebrated while perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
But wait, there’s more! Critics are also slamming Kennedy for her overall treatment of women in her books, often reducing them to mere objects of desire for the male protagonists. The term “puck bunnies”—used to describe women who flock to hockey games for the players—is just one example of the misogyny that has readers shaking their heads.
And what has Kennedy had to say about all this? Back in 2019, when asked if she would ever consider writing a female-female romance, she bluntly replied, “Unfortunately F/F really isn’t something I’m interested in writing, sorry.” This response has fueled the fire, as many interpret it as a blatant disregard for authentic representation of LGBTQ+ relationships.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about representation in romance literature and the responsibility of authors to portray all relationships with respect and authenticity. Can a series that fetishizes sapphic relationships truly be celebrated? Or is it time for a reevaluation of what we consume in the name of entertainment?
In the end, while Off Campus may be a hit, the conversation surrounding it is anything but simple. As more voices join the chorus of criticism, it’s clear that the conversation about representation and respect in literature is far from over. So, what do you think? Is it time for a change in how we write and read romance? Let’s keep the discussion going!