Fact Check: "Popular Boys Love genre faces extinction due to state censorship in China."
What We Know
The Boys Love (BL) genre, which features romantic relationships between male characters, has been facing significant challenges in China due to state censorship. Recent reports indicate that authorities have cracked down on writers of this genre, particularly targeting female authors who publish their works online. In 2024, police detained dozens of writers, with many facing obscenity charges that could lead to severe penalties, including prison sentences (New York Times, ABC News).
The crackdown appears to be part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to control media narratives and uphold traditional values, particularly in light of concerns about the country's declining birthrate (New York Times). The genre, which gained popularity in the 2010s, has been labeled as "vulgar" by state media, and adaptations of Boys Love stories have been banned from television (New York Times).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that the Boys Love genre is facing extinction due to state censorship is compelling. The systematic targeting of writers, particularly those publishing on platforms like Haitang, highlights a significant shift in the government's approach to LGBTQ+ content. Reports indicate that as many as 50 writers were detained in Gansu Province alone, marking an unprecedented scale of enforcement against this genre (New York Times, ABC News).
The crackdown has led to a chilling effect on creative expression, with many authors opting to self-censor by downplaying sexual content or reframing their stories as "bromances" to avoid scrutiny (New York Times). This indicates a significant shift in the landscape of LGBTQ+ literature in China, where the space for such narratives is rapidly shrinking.
While some sources may argue that the genre is not entirely extinguished—pointing to the continued availability of less explicit works—this does not negate the fact that the genre as it was known is under severe threat. The legal framework surrounding obscenity in China is vague and punitive, further complicating the situation for authors (ABC News).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they come from reputable news organizations and scholarly articles that provide detailed accounts of the ongoing situation. However, it is important to note that discussions around LGBTQ+ issues in China are often heavily censored, which may limit the availability of comprehensive data.
Conclusion
The claim that the Boys Love genre is facing extinction due to state censorship in China is True. The evidence of widespread detentions, legal repercussions for writers, and the government's increasing hostility toward LGBTQ+ narratives strongly supports this assertion. The ongoing crackdown not only threatens the existence of the genre but also reflects broader issues of censorship and the suppression of creative expression in China.
