Crackdown on Boys' Love Authors Sparks Free Speech Debate in China

Authorities in China have detained several young female authors known for creating gay erotica, part of a broad campaign against online pornography. The authors, who were writing in the 'boys' love' genre, face legal consequences under a 2004 law, stirring public debate on freedom of speech and gender bias.

Since March, these detentions have highlighted the complex intersection of socialist morality and modern internet usage. The authors, many from low-income backgrounds, published their work on Haitang Literature City, a niche platform, and faced severe penalties despite only earning modest royalties.

The case has provoked widespread responses, with social media posts discussing the crackdown frequently being censored. While the situation unfolds, legal experts are calling for policy reforms and instituting a rating system, suggesting that the indiscriminate erasure of such content ignores the nuances of digital expression in current times.

(With inputs from agencies.)