China's Hardline Stance on Gay Erotica Sparks Pushback

China is coming down on a genre of gay erotic fiction called danmei, but the communist country's attempt to scrub the internet of the so-called "beautiful boy" stories is fanning flames of discontent.

"Think of it as a gay version of 'Fifty Shades of Grey,'" an article from the BBC explained, "a BDSM relationship that leads to a happily-ever-after."

"That's a frequent trope, across historical, fantasy or sci-fi settings. Over the years it has cultivated a fiercely devoted following, especially among young Chinese women."

Women are also the primary authors of the genre – and the ones being targeted for harsh consequences. "At least 30 writers, nearly all of them women in their 20s, have been arrested across the country since February," the BBC reported, citing "a lawyer defending one" of the authors facing prosecution.

"Many are out on bail or awaiting trial, but some are still in custody," the article added. "Another lawyer told the BBC that many more contributors were summoned for questioning."

The crime they are accused of committing is "producing and distributing obscene material," the BBC writeup detailed, and the severity of the cases seem to be directly tied, in many cases, to the amount of money the writers have made from stories that include what the law condemns as "explicit descriptions of gay sex or other sexual perversions" – a criminalization of literature that similar stories focused on mixed-gender characters do not face, given that "graphic sexual scenes" in written works about heterosexual people "are widely available."

Added the news outlet: "Online, the crackdown has unleashed a debate – and a rarer pushback against the law," with online comments questioning the need for authorities to pursue an agenda of scrubbing the internet of gay erotic fiction and challenging the stringent penalties associated with the prosecutions.

"On Weibo and WeChat, users questioned both the motives and moral alarm," the BBC relayed. "ABC News reported that one writer, anonymous 'Elsa,' said it was 'unreasonable and ignorant to treat all boys love fiction as obscene.'"

Even so, the government's campaign to eradicate the genre seems to be having an effect, the BBC noted. "Posts offering legal advice are gone. A prominent Chinese news site's story has been taken down. Writers' accounts, and some of the handles, are also disappearing."

"This is the second wave of mass arrests in less than a year – late last year, some 50 Haitang writers were prosecuted," the BBC detailed. "A famous author who earned about 1.85 million yuan was jailed for nearly five years."

"The two crackdowns are similar, according to a lawyer who had represented some of the defendants last year, 'but this time, even those with minor involvement weren't spared,'" the article went on to add.

The law targeting online queer erotica dates back to 2004, UK newspaper the Independent explained.

"In 2018, Anhui courts sentenced a female writer under the pen name Tianyi to 10-and-a-half years in prison for her YA romance 'Occupy' featuring male students and teachers, reportedly earning around ¥150,000 (£15,261) and selling 7,000 copies," the newspaper recalled; "critics said the punishment was heavier than many sentences for rape."

The crackdown has come despite the genre's popularity – and profitability.

"In 2021, 60 [danmei stories] were optioned for film and TV adaptations," the BBC noted. "The most expensive IP reportedly sold for 40 million yuan ($5.6 million; £4.1 million)."

Another "prime example is 'Word of Honor,' a 36-episode wuxia streaming series based on the novel 'Faraway Wanderers' by danmei writer Priest," the Independent detailed. "Starring Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun, it aired in early 2021 and garnered international acclaim, ranking among the top BL dramas on Douban with an 8.6 rating and drawing millions of views on YouTube and Netflix."

Indeed, the BBC added, "Some of China's biggest stars, such as Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, began their careers on streaming shows based on danmei novels."

The BBC further explained that despite the gay sexual plot lines, the genre is "a space where women can write about female desire for other women."

"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 outlet added.

The crackdown "reflects a broader ideological tightening under Chinese president Xi Jinping," the Independent said, "who has repeatedly called for the 'purification' of the internet and cultural industries."

Other efforts at such cultural revamping also carry hints of homophobia. "In 2021, China's National Radio and Television Administration issued a directive banning the appearance of 'effeminate men' on screen and urging broadcasters to 'resolutely put an end to abnormal aesthetics' and promote 'revolutionary culture,'" the Independent noted.