BL and Yaoi: Why is it everywhere?

[indagold]

If they were they wouldn't be reading yaoi in the first place lol

[Maryedraws]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. It's interesting that you brought up how the media might be influencing people to have less desire to write good female characters. I suppose Tapas is mostly new creators finding their feet, so perhaps instead of challenging the way women are written, they feel more comfortable being influenced by their favourite male characters and writing characters like them.

I also hope to see more genuine queer stories being told, rather than the fetishisation of gay men.

[JRHoch]

True. But there is a lot of emo, eruo and twink porn that would fit the bill.

[Maryedraws]

Yes! supply and demand. I think a lot of the BL isn't written or aimed towards queer people though, and is consumed by mainly straight women. It'd be nice to see a broader range of queer stories by queer creators.

[Maryedraws]

This makes total sense. Thank your for your response. I hope that eventually it's easier for woman to explore their desires and sexuality in their art rather than creating a male character to stand in for them.

[Maryedraws]

Ah, oh no! I didn't realise this was a common thread. Apologies for being that person

[unknown_user]

No worries. Everyone used to be that person.

[joannekwan]

That's true. Though it makes me wonder how many BL creators actually watch porn since there have been some pretty dubious depictions of male x male sex in their digital pages lol.

[JRHoch]

You'll have to do a poll.

[Eightfish]

Highly doubt porn is that much more realistic than webcomics.

[Maps]

I have yet to see a realistic webcomic about a plumber’s whirlwind romance!

[joannekwan]

I dunno, I have yet to see a porn with upsidedown genitals and talk about wet buttholes.

[Cavechan]

I mean... well... I've seen guys holding hands, looking at each other, kissing... touching.... etc.........

and it is hot.

fans self

It's just human nature and something that can't be controlled.

Why are [anime/manga] guys so hot.

ugh.

It's a blessing and a curse.

But I don't read much BL actually because the plot/art styles don't really interest me. This might be getting at what @gempompadour was saying about their friend who likes "slash" more than BL. I think slash would mainly refer to when you ship characters together who aren't necessarily together. I love to slash characters together more than I like most BL! Maybe because there's a deeper relationship between the characters that goes beyond just a romantic attraction? Like they're friends first and get along well.

Or there's UST (unresolved sexual tension) between them? That's nice too.

[JRHoch]

There are basically five main topics on the forum that are often repeated:

1) Why is BL so popular?
2) Promote your webcomics
3) What are you eating, viewing, etc.?
4) My comic isn't popular; should I kill myself?
5) Writer seeks artist for mutual pleasure

[LordVincent]

WAIT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE INFAMOUS WET BUTTHOLES IN YAOI but WTF IS UP WITH THE UPSIDE DOWN DICKS THING

[Maps]

I'm dying to know about this. Are we talking about balls on top? The ole' case of the hovering balls?

[joannekwan]

It was a long time ago so I've long forgotten the source, but I could have sworn the little skin ridge was placed on the underside of the penis.

[Eightfish]

Magically everpresent lubrication is definitely a thing in porn- but I'll give you upsidedown genitals.

[LDJones]

4) My comic isn't popular; should I kill myself?

This is very accurate

[sekabead]

Uhmm... isn't upsidedown genital quite common...?

Actually I'm waiting to see a yaoi featuring the characters doing train