Chinese authorities crack down on gay erotica

Chinese authorities have arrested dozens of writers of gay erotica in the eastern province of Anhui, reportedly targeting around 50 individuals involved in the publication of what the government classifies as ‘pornographic’ material. This operation, executed as part of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) continued campaign against what it deems vulgar or illegal content, highlights the state’s stringent measures to regulate internet use and expression.

Many of the arrested authors had published their work on Haitang Literature, a Taiwan-based platform that enables writers to earn through tips and subscriptions. A notable genre flourishing on this website is ‘danmei,’ which revolves around romantic and sexual narratives between male characters. According to Radio Free Asia, ten of those arrested were specifically noted for posting gay erotica, drawing attention to the targeted nature of the arrests.

A writer, referred to only as a friend of one of the detained authors, shared their experience on the gaming bulletin board NGA, stating, “My friend is an author, who was released on bail, called me from a new phone and told us to be prepared.” This sentiment of uncertainty regarding the extent of the crackdown was echoed in online discussions, with some commentators mentioning a ‘nationwide crackdown’ and concerns over the implications for the Chinese distributor of the website.

The severity of the sentences faced by these writers can vary significantly, with their legal repercussions largely dependent on their earnings from the publication of their work. Some individuals could potentially be looking at maximum sentences of life imprisonment, illustrating the harsh penalties associated with violations of China’s strict pornography laws.

It is important to note that, while homosexuality is not criminalised in China nor regarded as an illness, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to confront substantial discrimination and censorship. This has contributed to a challenging environment for freedom of expression, especially regarding publishing erotic literature. For instance, in 2018, a Chinese court sentenced novelist Ms Liu to ten years’ imprisonment for her inclusion of gay scenes in her book, which featured ‘male homosexual behaviour’ along with themes interpreted by the government as offensive.

Chinese pornography laws have historically been enforced as a means to exercise broader control over content and ideas. In recent instances, the government has actively suppressed LGBTQ+ representation in the media; a notable occurrence was in 2016, when authorities ordered the removal of the country’s first online gay-themed television series from the internet, as reported by Human Rights Watch.

As these events unfold, the LGBTQ+ community in China continues to be significantly impacted by the interplay of cultural repression and state censorship, leading to a constrained expression of identity and creativity across various platforms.

Source: Noah Wire Services