Shin built Lezismore as an anonymous, inclusive online community for sexual minorities using open-source software and self-hosting to avoid Big Tech's restrictions on adult content. By design, it has a two-layer structure: a public searchable site for advocacy articles and a private community space accessible only through word of mouth, blocking search engines and bots. New users undergo an "apprenticeship" period where they observe before posting or interacting directly, fostering high-trust and resilience against harassment. Lezismore uses human moderation to teach norms and handle conflicts, relying on governance design rather than data collection for protection. This approach balances inclusion with safety in a legal environment that can chill lawful expression. Offline experiences of repression shaped Shin's vision for an online space free from institutional gatekeeping and authority-driven silencing.
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