China Arresting Writers of Online Gay Erotica

The Chinese crackdown on online gay erotica we reported on six months ago has only intensified. As reported by the New York Times and the BBC, the government of China has been arresting writers of online gay erotic fiction, imposing still prison sentences depending on the amount of profit made. Between 30 and 50 writers, nearly all of them women, were arrested this year as the government cracks down on online pornography, and specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

Haitang Literature is the website where many of the writers were publishing on, which allows contributors to earn tips and money through subscriptions. One of the most popular genres is danmei, which refers to "boy love."

If you're surprised that most of those arrested are women, you'll remember that gay erotica, especially "slash fiction," a sub-genre of erotic depicting sexual relationships between two popular and established male sci-fi fantasy characters, is written largely by straight women.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Them (@them)

One woman reported to the BBC of her arrest: "I'll never forget it — being escorted to the car in full view, enduring the humiliation of stripping naked for examination in front of strangers, putting on a vest for photos, sitting in the chair, shaking with fear, my heart pounding."

As reported by The Advocate, the creation and distribution of pornography has been illegal in China since a 1997 law. Those making more than 250,000 yuan ($34,500) can receive a maximum of life in prison. The law is applied unevenly, but it can also result in website owners receiving prison sentences and has been used to shut down sites and go after consumers of pornography. Those arrested have received prison sentences ranging from 1-5 years, depending on their ability to pay back what they've earned.

But the threat or reality of an arrest, for some, is not enough of a deterrent to creating content. One writer posted on Weibo: "If I could go back, I'd still choose to write. And I will keep writing. Right now, I can only hope the law will see beyond the words on the page - and see the girl who skipped meals to save money, the girl who sold her hair to buy a pen, the girl who believed her mind could carve a way through fate. I hope it gives all of us a fair chance."

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Them (@them)

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.