A growing number of young women from China are facing legal trouble for writing and sharing gay erotica. It is also known as “danmei,” on online platforms. Many of these authors, in their early twenties, are being accused of spreading “obscene content” under China’s strict anti-pornography laws.
China Arrests Young Women for Writing Gay Erotica Online
One writer, posting under the Weibo handle Pingping Anan Yongfu, recalled her traumatic 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.” Her post quickly went viral before being deleted, along with her entire account. “I was always the good girl in my parents’ eyes. But that day, I brought them nothing but shame,” she wrote.
These writers, many of whom published stories on Haitang Literature City, a Taiwan-hosted danmei site, are being targeted in a government crackdown. At least 30 authors have reportedly been arrested since February, with some still in custody. One lawyer defending them said “Even those with minor involvement weren’t spared this time.”
Writers Feel Betrayed and Exposed
Danmei, inspired by Japanese “boys’ love” manga, has long been popular among Chinese women. It offers an outlet for exploring gender and sexuality, often featuring gay male characters in emotional or romantic storylines. “Danmei frees me from thinking about all those potential dangers in traditional heterosexual romance,” said one longtime author.
But as Chinese officials double down on conservative values and promote traditional family roles, danmei has come under fire. “The Chinese government sees liking danmei as a reason women are less willing to have children,” explained digital sociology expert Dr. Liang Ge.
Writers say the crackdown feels like betrayal. “I wrote on Haitang for years, with only a handful of readers. Then those overlooked stories accumulated over 300,000 clicks, and the 4,000 yuan in royalties became evidence of my crime,” one author posted.
Despite the pressure, some refuse to give up. “If I could go back, I’d still choose to write. And I will keep writing,” shared the handle Sijin de Sijin. “I hope the law sees not just the words, but the girl behind them—the one who skipped meals to buy a pen.”