A Question for LGBT and BL fans

[Maxedrox]

This can apply for LGBT readers and writers too, but this is mostly for fans because I want to know more about what they would expect in comics.
I know what some LGBT readers may say: LGBT characters, that are good characters, even if they don't have a partner in the story is good enough.
But what fans think about a fantasy story where BL is a side story, almost like a subplot?
A story where the MC doesn't even meet the other guy until a few episodes later.
A story where they cant focus on each other even when they are side by side because they are both traumatized by a deathly experience,
It would be enough patience to let this couple grow into each other?
Or they would pass on them because "it wouldn't count as BL" until they start to have close interactions?
An additional detail: these characters aren't the only focus in the story. They are just part of the main cast.

It's just a curious question that I have in mind and I would like to know what do you think about it
You can talk openly about what do you expect, and please be kind to each other.

[DeformedSunflower]

For a slow burn story, I want there to be actual relationship growth between the characters, rather than them constantly pining for each other before suddenly making out in the middle of nowhere.

Basically, they start from being strangers, to being acquaintances, to being casual friends, to trusting each other with secrets, to actually falling in love with each other. Rather than giving each other goo-goo eyes and sighing dreamily all the time, but never actually making an effort in reaching out to the other, then suddenly confessing and going to stage three with them.

Gourmet Hound did this very well.

(Also if it's not the main focus of the story, I wouldn't categorise it as BL. Maybe put it in the tags?)

[Dark_Faeire]

this is actually a really good person. I have to say that a story is written on how you want to write it and how you want the main plot to be. I think it's okay if this story doesn't end with a BL result, as long as it can show promising attractions with the MC's by the end of the story because that kind of leaves it as "You can imagine their ending anyway you like" and leave it to the readers imagination.

I honestly love stories where the story focus on characters developments. Like since this theme story is about their traumatized experience and wanting closer is a great story plot-line and I would like to see more of that because its always better to love yourself before loving someone else.

Hopefully I explained this well haha

[Kiweevil]

I'd dig it.

Sorry, I'm not fantastic at commentary. But I like where you're going with this. Seems a bit more realistic than typical romances. Cuz let's be real, gay or straight, nobody irl has a relationship that works the way they do in a typical BL. BL traditionally, as a romance sub genre, puts all the emphasis on the relationship and only the relationship....If that makes sense. Doesn't always focus on other things that happen in a character's life. I'd rather have like what you're describing than the usual formula, honestly.

[BlairFujin]

This is why we need more than one genre for non-premium works, as, just as one of my own webcomics I would categorize it as fantasy with bl as a subgenre

[silverraven0]

I don't particularly mind it. I kind of love slow burn romance but kind of hate it too because I want the couple get together and be happy as quickly as possible.

I'm even fine if it's just a very small portion of the story, as long as its not there just to be there and not doing anything for the story at all. If it's executed well, it'll Make me want to come back for more, and if they did it just to Queer bait, nope. Better to not have that at all.

[LadyN]

If the targeted love character have at least some encounters with the MC that aren’t all “omg people are dying! No laugher! Whine whine whine!” Then it can be considered BL in my opinion.

[Iris-Grimoire]

It works better as a subgenre, but it doesn't stop being BL or LGBT+ if it's not front and center. It's kind of like a few twitter arguments about characters having to show how gay they are to be recognized - if it's integral to the character (and not just mentioned), then the character didn't lose their status as a minority just because they didn't immediately get a relationship. Big slow burn is also a thing even in stories that are romance first, because the appeal becomes waiting for that moment when one or both realize they want to get closer and that might be a few chapters in.

I'm waiting for the subgenre system to roll in for non-premium series before I put the LGBT+ tag in my works - relationships are a thing in Splitting Image and Mort being bi/Veri being demi/Spinel being gay/etc is integral to their characters, but the story is fantasy adventures first.

[erudenedure]

As a queer artist and writer - and a fan of queer media - I like seeing any indication of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships in stories. Romance comes in all flavors, regardless of the genders involved.

It would probably help to consider how you'd treat the characters and labeling if they were hetero. Would you be concerned about fans having patience over the romance if they were hetero? Would you still label the romance aspect, if the characters were hetero?

[DogshitJay]

I personally see BL as meaning Romance with an MM pairing, so while I wouldn't necessarily turn away if they didn't meet early, I think it would run counter to the genre conventions. Sorta like if Romance doesn't have a Happily Ever After – it just makes it harder for your readers to know what they're getting into, and some people REALLY like to know exactly what they're signing up for.

If there's another genre at play like mystery or fantasy that is the main plot, I'd probably go for that, and write BL on the cover image?

LGBTQ+ to me as a genre is a little more ambiguous, it's where I'm personally posting, as my love triangle is bisexual and includes men and a woman. I think LGBTQ+ would also suit stories dealing with LGBTQ+ issues, like coming of age stories or dramas around the topic as well.

Just my own opinions here! And I think the genres can be pretty flexible! I would love to have multiple genres, but I also understand giving Premium that advantage.

[magnavarra]

Do not underestimate fan's imagination. Once you established appealing charactes the Ship sets sails! Even if it's not a BL lol

[indagold]

I'd prefer an actual story then it being just 99% shipping. It makes your story compelling to a larger demographic as well and gives it more of a leg to stand on. I always felt stories that happen to have lgbt characters fair better plot wise then ones that its only focus is the lgbt characters (with few exceptions). Plus you can get your fans involved for much more than just romance, you'll have fans wanting to see more stuff like battles, creatures, etc.

[nostalgicroxas]

It'd count as BL because it's still showing the aspect of boys in love. Characters don't need to be all hot and heavy for each other to express their love, and if your readers understand they've just been going through something and won't think about "omfg love must sex now", then those are the readers you ignore and don't pander to.
As myself a longterm fan of BL over yaoi, I gravitate to it for several reasons, the top two being: 1 rape is not a plot construct built on for love, or if it is, it has consequences for characters emotionally, and 2 it's not all about them being hot and heavy - sometimes it's about their jobs and trying to just find time to meet up, even if they live together. You know, realistic aspects. Even in the fantasy plots I enjoy that are hinted at or light BL (like Kyou Kara Maou or Get Backers) 99% of the plot does not revolve around human body parts.

[SleepingPoppy]

these characters aren't the only focus in the story. They are just part of the main cast.

I mean, don't put it in the BL genre if this is the case, but otherwise I think it's great. I'd love to see more stories that have some incidental BL and slower burning romances. Also fantasy + BL is a win! Lots of people who like BL (and romance) would like to see more stories where its a part of the whole and not the whole itself.

Though I'm sure there are also impatient fans that want the instant gratification of many BL stories. But you'll never please everyone. =)

edit: Just to add, if the BL couple are the main characters, with a slow burn romance in a fantasy setting, it'd be fine to set the genre as BL, but if they just happen to be part of a larger cast, it seems like it wouldn't fit in BL as a genre. But you can tag it as BL still.

[Maxedrox]

Wow, I'm surprisingly pleased by the answer that I got so far!
I'm aware of the fact that some people just ship any character that shares the same panel/screen if they are two hot/cute guys, it's funny, it's almost like a meme, but it's real, sometimes is because those characters have legit chemistry and sometimes is because they just look good together.

I'm also aware of the fact that some people only want to see some action between male characters, but I don't think that it would fit in my story, at least is not confirmed yet, I mean, maybe those guys do some action because they are horny, but that doesn't mean that they are in love, it's just the heat of the moment, they still have to figure out the emotional part, but all depends if it's relevant to the plot, if it doesn't, the scene will be completely omitted.

Another thing is that one of the characters appears from the beginning while the partner appears a few chapters later as a flashback and then he makes his physical debut after some episodes, so maybe he doesn't count as part of the main cast for not being present for so long.

But something that I noticed too it's interesting because it seems that some people believe that I would change the story in order to please some demographic, well it may look like that's the idea, but that will ruin my story completely with too many forced situations. I prefer to analyze the character's behavior and the situation that they are involved so I can see what would come next.

Some BL and Yaoi do that, I guess because they just have the characters and they don't have nothing else to do with them, so the writers are like "well, let's have some fun with them for a while" and if the writer has a larger cast, then will be all different ways to explore the same situation with "different" personalities.

One curiosity that I want to share about the MC: he has a mom, a dad, and his future boyfriend, so this could be one of the few times that will be exploring a full family interaction because all those characters are relevant for the plot. In a fantasy world.

[Maxedrox]

Well, I would like to post here just like a "mission complete" type of post. I'm finally able to put the three genres featured in the comic
Fantasy (the main plot)
BL (the subplot)
Drama (the type of story)

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