In the realm of virtual reality, Dutch artist Iris van der Meule is making waves with her innovative Lesbian Simulator. This immersive experience is set to make its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026 running from 10 September for 6 days at the Innovation Hub.
The Lesbian Simulator is not just a game; it’s an experience that allows users to step into the shoes of a queer woman and navigate the intricacies of friendship, dating, and everyday life. Van der Meule’s creation is based on her own experiences growing up in rural Netherlands, where being openly queer was not widely accepted.
An Interactive Journey Through Queer Life
The 40-minute interactive virtual reality experience is designed to educate and build empathy among heterosexual audiences. Van der Meule hopes that by experiencing the simulator, users will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by queer people and feel a stronger sense of responsibility to intervene when they witness discrimination.
“I always say it’s an experience slash a game,” van der Meule said. “You learn through being interactive and doing small mini games that motivate you to experience certain things that some [heterosexual] people might not come across in their own life.”
From Personal Experiences to Artistic Expression
Van der Meule’s inspiration for the Lesbian Simulator came from her personal experiences with homophobia and discrimination. Growing up in rural Netherlands, she faced verbal aggression and discrimination simply for holding her girlfriend’s hand. This kind of homophobia became so routine that it felt like a daily routine.
“That’s really f***** up, actually, because why am I accepting this as something that is happening in my life?” van der Meule reflected. She wanted to create an art piece that could teach people about the experiences of queer individuals and motivate them to be more active in fighting for queer rights.
Representation and Joy in Queer Storytelling
The Lesbian Simulator is more than just an educational tool; it’s a celebration of queer life. Van der Meule hopes that queer audiences will recognize themselves in the experience and encounter a representation that includes joy, celebration, and play. The simulator offers a chance for queer people to see their lives represented not as a tragedy or political statement, but as something messy, joyful, and worth celebrating.
“I want to make an art piece that can teach the people around me,” van der Meule said. “I can teach them about the things we experience, and hopefully put that mirror to our society and show the blind spots and motivate people to be a bit more active when it comes to fighting for queer rights.”
The Lesbian Simulator is a groundbreaking addition to the world of immersive storytelling, offering a unique perspective on queer life and a powerful tool for building empathy and understanding.
