Fact Check: China's crackdown on gay erotic novels leads to criminal convictions for authors.

Fact Check: "China's crackdown on gay erotic novels leads to criminal convictions for authors."

What We Know

In recent months, there has been a significant crackdown in China on authors of gay erotic novels, particularly those within the "Boys' Love" genre, which features romantic narratives between male characters. This crackdown has resulted in criminal convictions for several authors. Reports indicate that at least 12 authors were tried on obscenity charges in Anhui Province late last year, with more investigations ongoing in Gansu Province as of spring 2025 (source-1). The crackdown is characterized as the largest police operation of its kind, with dozens of writers being interrogated and some facing severe penalties, including prison sentences and hefty fines for producing and distributing what the authorities deem obscene content (source-6).

The Chinese government has increasingly targeted the Boys' Love genre, which has gained popularity among young women in China, as it offers alternative narratives to traditional gender roles in romance. The authorities have labeled such content as "vulgar," claiming it could distort young readers' sexual orientations (source-1). In a notable case, an author was sentenced to ten years in prison for obscenity, showcasing the severe repercussions faced by writers in this genre (source-1).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that China's crackdown on gay erotic novels has led to criminal convictions for authors is robust and well-documented. Multiple credible sources confirm that police have detained numerous writers, particularly women, for their involvement in the Boys' Love genre. For instance, a report from Radio Free Asia outlines how police have arrested female authors and imposed sentences for their works, indicating a systematic approach to suppressing this form of expression (source-4).

Moreover, the New York Times details the extent of the crackdown, noting that the arrests represent a significant shift in how the Chinese government addresses LGBTQ+ content, moving from censorship to criminal prosecution (source-1). The legal framework in China allows for severe penalties for obscenity, and the vague definitions of what constitutes obscene material have been used to target gay content specifically, as highlighted by legal scholars (source-6).

While the crackdown has been met with criticism and concern regarding freedom of expression, the Chinese government appears to be prioritizing the enforcement of traditional moral standards over individual rights, as noted by law professor Lao Dongyan (source-1). This indicates a broader trend of increasing repression of LGBTQ+ narratives in China.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that China's crackdown on gay erotic novels has led to criminal convictions for authors is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The systematic arrests, trials, and sentencing of writers involved in the Boys' Love genre demonstrate a clear and ongoing effort by Chinese authorities to suppress LGBTQ+ literature under the guise of obscenity laws. The evidence indicates that this crackdown is not only significant in scale but also reflects a concerning trend in the erosion of creative freedoms in China.

Sources

1. Chinese Police Detain Dozens of Writers Over Gay Erotic ...
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4. Chinese police crackdown on writers of online erotic fiction
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6. Police in China arrest female authors of homosexual ...
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8. 10 Gay Erotic Fanfiction Writers Arrested in China Amid Porn ...