Tanbi culture confuses issues of pornography

Sina Weibo blocked gay content as part of a campaign to regulate the online environment. This triggered a firestorm of discussion online as Sina Weibo mentioned homosexuality and pornography, bloody violence in the same breath.

Relevant authorities ordered ratification of certain video sites and social platforms with the intention of making a cleaner and more harmonious community environment.

It is understandable for Sina Weibo to clean up pornographic and violent content, but homosexuality should not be the object of rectification.

Homosexuality has existed both at home and abroad since ancient times as it is a natural phenomenon in human society. Although there is no scientific conclusion on the causes of homosexuality, it should never be confused with pornography.

Homosexuals have been associated with stigmas such as AIDS and pornography. It is very hard for this group to pursue recognition in mainstream culture. Sina Weibo’s behavior is clearly a wrong one-size-fitsall implementation of the government’s governance over pornography and vulgar culture.

In this incident, there is also a concept that cannot be ignored: tanbi culture. Tanbi, which originated in Japan, refers to a literary style that advocates romance and aestheticism. In the 1960s, Japanese novelists and cartoonists established a connection between tanbi and beautiful boys’ love, which was widely loved by readers. Over time, tanbi became a synonym for homosexuality.

Tanbi culture spread to the Chinese mainland and developed fast at the beginning of the 21st century. Fujoshi girls who enjoy romantic relations between two men are eager to share their own fantasies of same-sex love. In recent years, the rapid rise of social networks has provided an opportunity for the spread of tanbi culture, which has also gradually been recognized by the mainstream ideology of society and become an important source of literature, film and television creation.

It is undeniable that many works of tanbi culture have become carriers of pornography. Those pornographic works that seek commercial profits in the guise of tanbi culture lead to a one-sided misunderstanding of homosexuality.

We should make it clear that tanbi culture can never be confused with pornography. Both the government and enterprises have the responsibility and obligation to implement supervision and rectification of the negative elements of tanbi culture.

In addition, supporters of tanbi culture and homosexuals are two different groups. Tanbi culture does not represent homosexuality and the porn economy is not equal to tanbi culture.

In any case, homosexuality should not be a scapegoat for the porn economy.