Fact Check: "One popular Boys Love author sentenced to 10 years for obscenity in 2018."
What We Know
In 2018, a Chinese author known by her pen name Tian Yi was sentenced to ten years in prison for producing and selling a homoerotic novel titled "Occupation" that included explicit sexual content between male characters. The sentencing occurred in Anhui Province, where the court found her guilty of distributing "obscene material" for profit, which is illegal under Chinese law (BBC News, [source-3]). Reports indicate that her novel featured themes of "male homosexual behaviour" and was described by authorities as containing "perverted sexual acts" (CNN, [source-7]).
The case was part of a broader crackdown on Boys' Love (BL) literature in China, where authorities have increasingly targeted writers of gay-themed content, citing concerns over obscenity and the potential influence on youth (New York Times, [source-1]). The crackdown reportedly resulted in the detention of numerous authors, with at least 12 being tried on similar charges around the same time (New York Times, [source-1]).
Analysis
The claim that a popular Boys Love author was sentenced to ten years for obscenity in 2018 is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The BBC and CNN both reported on the case, detailing the specifics of the charges and the public outcry that followed the sentencing (BBC News, [source-3]; CNN, [source-7]). The sentencing sparked significant debate on social media, with many users criticizing the harshness of the punishment compared to sentences for more severe crimes, such as rape (BBC News, [source-3]).
The New York Times provides context about the crackdown on BL literature, indicating that this case was part of a larger trend of censorship and legal action against writers in this genre (New York Times, [source-1]; New York Times, [source-4]). The sources used in this analysis are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity, which adds to the reliability of the information presented.
Conclusion
The claim that a popular Boys Love author was sentenced to ten years for obscenity in 2018 is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the author, Tian Yi, received this sentence for her novel "Occupation," which included explicit gay content. The case is emblematic of the broader issues of censorship and the legal challenges faced by LGBTQ+ content creators in China.
Sources
- Chinese Police Detain Dozens of Writers Over Gay Erotic ...
- Ten years' jail term for Chinese author of homoerotic novel ...
- Chinese erotic novelist jailed for 10 years for gay sex scenes
- Writer of Erotic Novels in China Is Jailed for Producing Gay ...
- Homoerotic fiction writer given 10 year prison sentence in ...
