As much as I dislike how sometimes LGBTQ+ people are fetishized with erotica like this... for so many readers it's also just a part of being a teenager? In fact I wish I was more comfortable...
As much as I dislike how sometimes LGBTQ+ people are fetishized with erotica like this... for so many readers it's also just a part of being a teenager? In fact I wish I was more comfortable thinking about my sexuality and had an adult that could serve as a role model.
And the jail times are just insane, 10 years is life ruining. Oh, and the origin for these punishments come not just straight from homophobia, but also misogyny given:
"The Chinese government wants to promote traditional family values and liking danmei novels is seen as a factor in making women less willing to have children," Dr Ge explains.
One thing though...
"In that moment, all I felt was shame," posted a writer whose Weibo handle translates to "the world is a huge psychiatric hospital". She said the police pulled her out of class in college - and her classmates watched as they followed her to search her dorm.
At times, given how many people are victims of abuse and the world is on fire, it's impossible not to feel that way. And I'm not convinced it's not inaccurate, in fact it actually kind of stings to read this.
I also have slightly conflicting feelings about the genre itself. I've heard someone say that the genre is a response to the oppressions of patriarchy: that it's difficult for some readers to...
I also have slightly conflicting feelings about the genre itself. I've heard someone say that the genre is a response to the oppressions of patriarchy: that it's difficult for some readers to immerse in storie about a healthy, equal, respectful romantic and physically fulfilling relationship when one of the characters is a woman. That the reader would find the structure unrealistic that the characters feel so much safety and behave with such carefree attitudes if they were women. Or else the reader has been so trained in judging other women for their looks and worth etc that the reader is busy with judgement instead of enjoying her story. Which leaves relationships between two men more satisfying to read. Kinda heartbreaking.
This probably isn't responsible for its widespread popularity, but I personally had interest in male/male pairings when I still identified as a straight cis woman probably in large part due to...
This probably isn't responsible for its widespread popularity, but I personally had interest in male/male pairings when I still identified as a straight cis woman probably in large part due to being closeted transmasc and finding it a safe way to explore a lot of related thoughts and feelings. I get people's hesitance at straight women fetishizing gay men, but I think framing this as the only reason fujos exist (not what you were doing but a common occurrence) is an oversimplification.
Right, thank you for adding to the possible range of interest without being exclusive. Human beings are complex, and we're drawn to different things for many different reasons. Another possibility...
Right, thank you for adding to the possible range of interest without being exclusive. Human beings are complex, and we're drawn to different things for many different reasons. Another possibility is that perhaps it's a mirroring of how much women-women pornography exist for male viewers.
Where the genre of literature might become slightly harmful is if someone only consumes this media without hanging out with actual gay men, and then go on to stereotype real gay men using danmei archetypes. But I mean, nothing a more open society, good converations and good friendship won't quickly fix, just like any literature genre
Overview excerpts: Some other excerpts I found interesting:
Overview excerpts:
The handle, Pingping Anan Yongfu, is among at least eight in recent months which have shared accounts on Chinese social media platform Weibo of being arrested for publishing gay erotic fiction. As authors recounted their experiences, dozens of lawyers offered pro bono help.
At least 30 writers, nearly all of them women in their 20s, have been arrested across the country since February, a lawyer defending one told the BBC. Many are out on bail or awaiting trial, but some are still in custody. Another lawyer told the BBC that many more contributors were summoned for questioning.
They had published their work on Haitang Literature City, a Taiwan-hosted platform known for its "danmei", the genre of so-called boys' love and erotic fiction.
These authors are being accused of breaking China's pornography law for "producing and distributing obscene material". Writers who earn a profit could be jailed for more than 10 years.
Some other excerpts I found interesting:
...Although authors of heterosexual erotica have been jailed in China, observers say the genre is subjected to far less censorship. Gay erotica, which is more subversive, seems to bother authorities more.
...Inspired by Japanese boys' love manga, danmei emerged as a sub-genre online in the 1990s. It has become hugely successful, with some of the novels appearing on international bestseller lists.
In 2021, 60 of them were optioned for film and TV adaptations. The most expensive IP reportedly sold for 40 million yuan ($5.6 million; £4.1 million). Some of China's biggest stars, such as Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, began their careers on streaming shows based on danmei novels.
...For instance, in danmei stories, men can get pregnant and are at ease with being vulnerable – a stark contrast from the often unequal relationships many Chinese women struggle with in real life.
..."The Chinese government wants to promote traditional family values and liking danmei novels is seen as a factor in making women less willing to have children," Dr Ge explains.
...Danmei writers know tolerance can be fickle. It's why they skirt censorship with metaphors. "Making dinner" means sex; "kitchen tool" is code for male genitals.
2025 marks the third year in a row where their population has been decreasing. There's panic from the highest ranks, which is resulting in provincial and local governments proposing weirder stuff...
2025 marks the third year in a row where their population has been decreasing. There's panic from the highest ranks, which is resulting in provincial and local governments proposing weirder stuff to show they're working on it.
They spent such a long time aborting girls and telling families what to do, now they're out of options when people just plain don't want families anymore.
As much as I dislike how sometimes LGBTQ+ people are fetishized with erotica like this... for so many readers it's also just a part of being a teenager? In fact I wish I was more comfortable thinking about my sexuality and had an adult that could serve as a role model.
And the jail times are just insane, 10 years is life ruining. Oh, and the origin for these punishments come not just straight from homophobia, but also misogyny given:
One thing though...
At times, given how many people are victims of abuse and the world is on fire, it's impossible not to feel that way. And I'm not convinced it's not inaccurate, in fact it actually kind of stings to read this.
I also have slightly conflicting feelings about the genre itself. I've heard someone say that the genre is a response to the oppressions of patriarchy: that it's difficult for some readers to immerse in storie about a healthy, equal, respectful romantic and physically fulfilling relationship when one of the characters is a woman. That the reader would find the structure unrealistic that the characters feel so much safety and behave with such carefree attitudes if they were women. Or else the reader has been so trained in judging other women for their looks and worth etc that the reader is busy with judgement instead of enjoying her story. Which leaves relationships between two men more satisfying to read. Kinda heartbreaking.
This probably isn't responsible for its widespread popularity, but I personally had interest in male/male pairings when I still identified as a straight cis woman probably in large part due to being closeted transmasc and finding it a safe way to explore a lot of related thoughts and feelings. I get people's hesitance at straight women fetishizing gay men, but I think framing this as the only reason fujos exist (not what you were doing but a common occurrence) is an oversimplification.
Right, thank you for adding to the possible range of interest without being exclusive. Human beings are complex, and we're drawn to different things for many different reasons. Another possibility is that perhaps it's a mirroring of how much women-women pornography exist for male viewers.
Where the genre of literature might become slightly harmful is if someone only consumes this media without hanging out with actual gay men, and then go on to stereotype real gay men using danmei archetypes. But I mean, nothing a more open society, good converations and good friendship won't quickly fix, just like any literature genre
Overview excerpts:
Some other excerpts I found interesting:
2025 marks the third year in a row where their population has been decreasing. There's panic from the highest ranks, which is resulting in provincial and local governments proposing weirder stuff to show they're working on it.
They spent such a long time aborting girls and telling families what to do, now they're out of options when people just plain don't want families anymore.
It's a shame. The physical country itself could be breathtaking beyond words, but a government like that just makes it a dump.
Well that's dumb.