AuroraLights

"The criticism leveled at BL's right now (and I totally agree with it) ..."

The alleged criticism is invalid. Restricting roles based on an actor's sexuality is a form of discrimination that limits the opportunities available to talented actors. Sexuality is a personal matter. An actor's personal life is not a factor in determining whether they are suitable for a gay/BL role

A wish to see actors in more BL projects is not a call for them to be limited to/pigeonholed into one genre. It's a recognition of their talent and suitability for gay/BL roles. Actors take on multiple straight roles. They should be given the opportunity to explore multiple gay/BL roles

High-budget straight dramas are proof that mediocrity can have a hefty price

BLs have something money can't buy: an electrifying, city-powering chemistry between men. Why bother with expensive sets and costumes when you've got a single bed for two?

Money talks, representation walks

Actors ditching the BL genre are contributing to the global shortage of interesting characters. The stage is crowded with straight roles. Soon, actors switching from gay roles will find themselves competing for parts in "The Hunger Games: Battle for the Last Straight Lead Role" to make their wallets happy

The success of an actor's career relies on the support and engagement of fans. Actors take into consideration the homophobic expectations of the mainstream audience when making decisions about potential roles. It's not wrong for actors to equally take into consideration the expectations of the BL audience. They participate in BL projects to establish their careers, and later betray fan support by forever distancing themselves from gay roles to appeal to a larger audience. The decision is made to maximize popularity and profit. It's not made out of respect and gratitude for the fans instrumental in the initial success

Understandably, this pattern has given rise to feelings of disappointment and frustration among BL fans. Expressing disappointment is not toxic. It's a reminder that actors are not isolated people; they are public figures whose decisions have impact on fans and the cultural landscape

Acting is the ability to convincingly embody a character that diverges from one's own identity. If gay actors are free to take on any role (gay or straight), straight identifying actors should be granted the freedom to take on gay/BL roles "without having to justify it to anyone"

We don't demand that actors be actual doctors or pirates before playing doctors or pirates. It's not within your purview to restrict an actor's role based on their sexuality

Because what the entertainment industry's overflowing trashcan of heteronormativity needs is yet another straight piece of garbage. We're running low on those ... Oh wait, we are not!

Jae Chan is starring in a straight drama. Straight dramas are as confined/limited to a cookie-cutter formula as the BL dramas you're complaining about. Same ingredients, different recipe. They both revolve around relationships. Bringing up non-romantic dramas doesn't make sense

"... it's weird ppl are acting like it's a huge disappointment"

It's not weird to be disappointed by an actor's decision to leave the BL genre. Actors don't "owe" fans anything. And fans don't owe actors anything. Fans aren't obligated to be happy for the actors

Actors are expected to play endless straight roles. Why is it suddenly a crime that BL fans want their faves to take on BL projects?

Fans are the lifeblood of any genre, and if they want more BL from an actor, you're nobody to deny them their heart's desires

These actors started their careers in BL. They use BL as a stepping stone and leave it behind without giving back to the community. None of them will automatically become champions for LGB acceptance

Are you assuming that I had an easy life?

I didn't realize that being raped or kicked out of your home at 12-13 meant you had to stop caring about other issues! I'm sure your friends' brains are big enough to handle more than one issue at a time, or do they need an upgrade?

Yaoi is gay porn. Any porn or "sexual" content is "fetishization" if people want to be a stick in the mud. But the same level of scrutiny isn't applied to "straight" porn/hentai, which features over-the-top, questionable, rapey, pedophilic themes

This double standard undermines the credibility of the accusations of "fetishization"

I'm part of the gay community, yes

"... so over 30 gay friends of mine does not count"

Their opinions don't negate the importance of fighting against homophobic censorship

Try applying your "logic" to everything else. "Oh, my 30 rich friends don't care about poverty, so it must not be a problem." Do you see the bigger picture here?

Your "gay friends" don't speak for the entire community

I care. Many gay people care. Homophobic censorship silences and invalidates the experiences of gay people. It contributes to our real-life struggles

I stand by my assertion that the Two-Spirit identity doesn't represent a scientifically valid expression of gender or sexuality

"Intersex" conditions are errors in fetal development. They don't challenge the binary model of gender and sex

My position doesn't advocate for harmful medical interventions. People with "intersex" conditions have the right to compassionate medical care, guided by a binary understanding of gender and sex

Gender dysphoria is a mental illness. The distress and discomfort experienced by dysphoric people are symptoms of a mental health issue. The current diagnostic criteria and professional consensus on gender dysphoria are motivated by financial gain/profit rather than scientific evidence

I have addressed your questions on the subject. And I feel it's best to bring our discussion to a close. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your participation

Most attendees of a party would be meat-eaters. Serving only meat is a pragmatic decision and not an insensitive, disrespectful one

Forget the TQ+ community; the most oppressed minority are the brussels sprouts that have been banished to the darkest corners of the produce aisle. No more, I say! The plucky little cruciferous veggies deserve a prime spot on everyone's plate! #SproutLivesMatter

The dictionary is not a tyrannical overlord, but a dutiful chronicler. In its pages, we find the firm footing of definition

True wit is in the clarity of thought. What could be more clear than a well-defined word, its meaning crisp as a freshly printed dictionary entry? I shall not cast clarity into the sacrificial flames of novelty

Don't sully the noble study of linguistics with flights of fancy that conjure an ever-expanding pantheon of pronouns and gender identities. Would you see us plunge headlong into the roiling waters of language without a map or compass? Shakespeare would scoff at the folly!

I'm a card-carrying member of the "keep it classy and decent" club. What's your membership status? Are you a cult member of the "one-night stand" community?

The Literary Council granted me the power of assessing the quality of writing. Who are you to question their judgment? I'll continue being the self-proclaimed arbiter of literary excellence that deems "erotica" to be of subpar quality in terms of writing

"Buying"

I'm not trying to sell my beliefs. There's no need for you to buy anything. I'm handing them out for free, like samples at the supermarket

@Nameless, "Sexual content" reduces boys and girls, men and women, to one-dimensional, mindless tools for arousal. It creates a limited, inaccurate picture of sexuality. The genre you mentioned is poorly written, relying on overused tropes and feeble plot devices

There are plenty of ways to explore teenage sexuality without resorting to excessive, gratuitous "sexual content"

@Nameless, If you believe "not getting horny" is a problem, please reassess who's under the influence. "Sexual content" is a drug. It has addictive qualities and tinkers with your brain chemistry

I’ll stick to the mental tango of a chess match. With chess, I'm stimulating my mind, instead of ... you know