China is cracking down on writers of gay fiction and erotica.
Lawyers representing one writer told the BBC this week that at least 30 people have been arrested in China for publishing danmei since February.
Inspired by Japanese boys’ love manga, danmei is an incredibly popular sub-genre of Chinese literature with a devoted fan community of largely young straight women. But the Chinese government, and its state media, cracked down on the genre as it became more popular, calling it “vulgar culture.”
China’s penal code prohibits works that “explicitly portray sexual behaviour,” unless they have educational or artistic value. While the laws have been used against writers of straight erotica, danmei has been especially targeted.
We break down what’s going on and what you need to know about this latest wave of censorship of queer stories.
Why you can trust Xtra
