guys, slash fiction can be real fucked up (content warning: rape)
Let me just start by saying that fandom fetishization of gay dudes/gay relationships is not something that can or should be compared to the way society at large treats and has always treated women as sex objects. There are a lot of women who have and still are addressing this issue better than I ever could, and I’m not going to talk over them by saying the same things they’ve said. What I will say is that a bunch of people being skeevy predominantly in a fandom subculture is not on the same level as long-term societal fetishization.
But it’s actually bothering me considerably that people are acting like bad attitudes exist in a vacuum and are above any form of criticism since fetishizing gayness isn’t on a widespread societal level. I don’t think slash or slash fiction are inherently harmful — actually, I know they aren’t. Good m/m fiction results in an overall rare normalized portrayal of a gay relationship. But if I see one more person say that queer men can’t ever become uncomfortable about some aspects of slash fandom I am going to poop a brick. I am all about telling the guy yelling STUPID SLASH FANGIRLS U RUIN EVERYTHING to shut the fuck up, but legitimate criticisms that don’t fall back on misogyny and homophobia shouldn’t be lumped in with that basic bullshit.