Fact Check: "At least 30 women arrested in China for writing gay erotica since February."
What We Know
In recent months, there has been a significant crackdown on writers of gay erotica in China, particularly targeting women. Reports indicate that at least 30 writers, predominantly young women, have been arrested since February 2025 for publishing gay erotic fiction, often referred to as "danmei" or "Boys' Love" stories. This genre has gained immense popularity among female readers and writers in China, but it has increasingly come under scrutiny from the authorities, who accuse these authors of violating obscenity laws (BBC, The New York Times, Them, The Telegraph).
The crackdown has been characterized by police interrogations and arrests, with many authors sharing their experiences on social media platforms like Weibo. A lawyer involved in the defense of these writers confirmed the number of arrests, stating that the crackdown has resulted in not only arrests but also summons for questioning of many more contributors to the genre (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that "at least 30 women arrested in China for writing gay erotica since February" is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC reported that a lawyer confirmed the arrest of at least 30 writers across the country, emphasizing that most of these individuals are women in their 20s (BBC). Similarly, The New York Times noted that the crackdown appears to be the largest police roundup of its kind to date, with many of the detained authors being young women who have published their works online (The New York Times).
The sources used in this analysis are reputable, including established news organizations such as the BBC and The New York Times, which have a history of reliable reporting. The information provided is corroborated by multiple outlets, including Them and The Telegraph, which also report on the scale of the arrests and the societal implications of this crackdown (Them, The Telegraph).
While there may be some limitations in the exact number of arrests due to the secretive nature of the investigations and the censorship surrounding the topic, the consensus among these sources indicates that the figure of at least 30 arrests is accurate. The crackdown reflects broader issues of censorship and the policing of sexual expression in China, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ content.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "at least 30 women arrested in China for writing gay erotica since February" is substantiated by credible reports from multiple sources. The evidence clearly indicates that a significant number of women have been arrested for their involvement in writing gay erotic fiction, highlighting ongoing issues of censorship and repression of LGBTQ+ narratives in China.
