@KyraChan:

Pft, thank goodness this site doesn't do much drama. XD

The other half of the reasons for my view on this topic are religious, but I didn't want to start any debates on that front when this is already such a hot-button topic. My wording as to "lifestyle choice" was for the reason you said -- that a person can choose to act on it or not. But, even if I don't agree with their choices, all people deserve respect.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kyra!

@toyotami kun:

Thanks, Toya!

I definitely agree that, of course, no one deserves to be mistreated/discriminated against.

Basically, I wrote this because I'd been getting commissions/requests for BL/GL and people are asking about the topic more.

*comes out of the woodwork* TheO drama? :D (jk)

Well, for this, I take a strong, yet odd sort of live-and-let-live stance. My religion dicates my inner beliefs, but outwardly, honestly, as long as people aren't hurting anyone else, I'm not going to condemn their life. I mean, especially as a (low-key) fujoshi, it would be extremely hypocritical of me to condemn it. I don't believe that being LGBTQ+ is a choice, but acting on it is.

I do tend to air on the side of LGBTQ+ pride, though. No matter my own beliefs, it shouldn't stop someone from wanting to celebrate who they are. I refuse to misgender or deadname a transgender person (at least, intentionally).

I understand your feelings on drawing LGBTQ+ situations, though. It's your drawings, you draw what you want, and no one else can dictate that. Though I personally have no qualms with creating art with that focus (though I won't do NSFW).

Ultimately, I think treating anyone/everyone with love and kindness is far more important than any sort of sexuality or identification.

I've been gone for while, so it's a little surprising seeing this kind of post.
I'm mostly going to comment about the art related part of this.

My personal thoughts about the LGBT+ community is different, and I don't really feel like talking about it, mainly because it's so complex. All I can say is that I respect people's choices and life styles, and as long as they are happy and healthy, than I'm happy for them. I just won't tolerate any type of discrimination against them, because they already have a lot to deal with and it's not always easy to come out.

Anyways going to the art related topic, I understand you on that. when it comes to request or maybe a commission, I'm up for doing a bl or gl type drawing, but I won't do anything that would be considered nsfw, and I apply this to heterosexual couples too, no exceptions.

It can be embarrassing to admit, but I do enjoy romantic themes, and drawing couples (mostly malexfemale). I normally don't really draw bl or gl, because it's not really my interest, since I personally don't have those kind of feeling, and cannot relate to it. and I have to admit that I'm just not into bl or gl, and in the past I saw it as an annoying fetish especially with the blow up of fujoshi culture.
However I know that not all bl or gl is a fetish and I shouldn't look at it that way. I don't mind it as long as it's written well like for example the characters in Steven Universe. stuff I don't like would like the whole thing with Korra and Asami, because it was just lousy writing in my personal opinion. Also I don't like when a character's main focus is sexual orientation and nothing else.

Last thing I want to say about this is that, although I'm not into bl or gl, I have considered creating a couple of lgbt characters, but I would have to get a really good understanding for them if I ever tried, but this would apply to anything I do.
For example, I'm Salvadorian American, but I have never created a Latin character, mostly because of fear of not getting them right, but I finally had the courage to push myself to try an I'm pretty happy with it. I guess my thing is, that if I have experienced it or relate to it, then I'll try, if I can't than I won't.

Sorry for the long comment, but that's all I wanted to say. I also had a feeling that you were not really into drawing bl or gl, or couples in general, and I never really gave it much thought since I know not everyone likes romantic themes. XD
I don't really see you in any different light, and I understand where you're coming from.

@DarlingV:

That's an interesting point about rising hormone levels. I think/have read about cases where people do get confused when that happens and they might take that to mean they're homosexual when that's not necessarily the case.

Thanks for your comments!

I'm not siding with anyone here as I say this.
I 100% agree with your point of view. I also see that lot's of homosexuals seem to throw it out there that they are that, and that can make people feel quite irritated with that. Sometimes I feel 'homosexual', but when this happens, it's when my hormones have risen and made me feel... 'special' I suppose could be a word.
Sometimes, however, when a child is young, they might show signs that they will be homosexual, such as wanting the opposite gender toys, or wearing things that are purposefully meant for the other gender. I'm not saying that as soon as those signs are shown, they will guaranteed be homosexual, but generally that will be the case.
But yes. The bodies are not meant to be like this. But people are willing to try new things, and evolution is a possibility. I doubt that a man will ever get pregnant though XD
Again not trying to put people in the spot light.

Thanks, Ellie. I saw one of your recent posts and figured this was what it was about; but I was too nervous to reply at the time. In a way, this post is a belated response, to you and others, explaining some of the reasons. As I said, it wasn't meant to hurt anybody or cause drama. I just hoped to present the flip-side of the coin.

First things first, I worked this out years ago, it just feels a bit strange seeing it written in front of me. I haven't posted a large chunk of my work or project developments because I didn't want to lose you as a friend and I still don't.
Secondly, I have been so close to pretending that I haven't seen this post and willfully ignoring it. I tried but I can't.

It should go without saying that you should draw what you are comfortable with and have those choices respected.
I'm not going to go into detail or discussion because I'm tired and too emotionally charged to do so in a way that shows you the respect you dererve in return. The only thing I will say one this topic is that fudementaly it is not a choice, never has and never will. The only choice is if you are brave enough to face a world that is generally against you.
Ultimately, I'm about as likely to change your mind as you are to change mine, we come from such differing viewpoints to begin with. We can’t help the way we were raised.

Finally, I really hope you haven’t and don’t received any negative backlash because of this and I will still be your friend.

@Keba Si Rota:

Thanks for hearing me out and having this open dialogue, Keba.

As to why I referred to it as a lifestyle choice, see my reply to Judai below.

Let me clarify my comment on the media, as well: There's definitely a difference between presenting and promoting something. The yaoi/yuri and related genres cross from presenting the lifestyle to promoting it as something attractive. And some media outlets put down people who don't support it.

@Rainbow Dragon:

Thanks for hearing me out, Judai.

Children learn about gender roles and such as they grow up. That's why boys who grow up around lots of females can have feminine traits and vice versa. I refer to it as a lifestyle choice because a person can adopt certain behaviors or choose not to as they get older.

Again, this is not against any person, so please don't take it that way.

I'm on my computer at a decent hour, so now it's time for my answer.

The reason I don't draw yaoi is because I'm not into things that are... um... is "erotic" the right word? Personally, I wouldn't draw any characters in The Act, no matter what their sexual orientation is. So that answers that part of the question.

The reason I've never drawn BL or GL is that, well, I've never thought to do it before. For one thing, drawing two people hugging and kissing is hard, no matter the gender (though that's kind of a lame reason). For another, I'm not that into romance. The only time I ever drew a couple kissing was for a Challenge way back when. And I never actually finished that picture.

Now, the next part of this comment is where things will get a little tricky because here is where we disagree. I am by no means trying to be offensive, and I hope that our difference of opinion doesn't ruin our friendship.

I know intercourse between two men is not really what the human body was designed for in regards to reproduction and the survival of the species. However, I wouldn't compare it to smoking. I'd liken it more to surgery ('cause that's been on my mind a lot). Is it natural for a human's internal anatomy to be changed? No. Is surgery free of complications and side effects? No. Does it still serve a purpose? Yes. I would say that it's the same with two men in that their purpose is to satisfy a desire with someone they love.

Come to think of it, a man can engage in the same act with a woman as he could with a man. I'm guessing the purpose of that would be to avoid pregnancy.

Also, what about two women? How does one define intercourse between women? I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that one.

Then there's the question of a same-sex couple that agrees that they can show their love for one another without having intercourse. Would it be dangerous for them just to cuddle? I don't think it would be any more harmful than it would be for a different-sex couple.

I noticed that you used the phrase "lifestyle choice" a few times. I don't believe sexuality is a choice. Consider a non-straight person coming out to their family. What if the family is homophobic? I'm sure that it would scare the person to open up if the family would not be accepting of who this person is. I bet that person would wish that they could be straight so as to not face backlash from their family.

I also don't believe that the media has a "gay agenda". I think the reason why homosexuality is portrayed in the media so much is because it's a more widely-known thing nowadays. I don't think it's to promote anything. It's just a reflection of the times we're in. I think it's so noticeable now because so many people are coming out. Who knows how many people in the past have lived with the secret of not being straight and taken that very same secret to their graves? I don't think the percentage of non-straight people has changed much from what it was in the past, but the percentage of them being open about it sure has.

Finally, I want to say that I like your live-and-let-live attitude. I'm not one to force my beliefs on others either. And I'm glad that's something that we can agree on.

I can see where you're coming from and I respect your point of view. I also wouldn't draw something that went against my values. However as someone who is transgender, I can't help the way I am. It isn't a "lifestyle choice" for me. It was something I was born with. I can't help how I am, it's me. I don't like being made to feel that the way I am is unnatural. I could be reading into this wrong but that's how I feel.

@Keba Si Rota:

Haha, no, I imagine that typing an essay on your phone late at night would only result in many typos. XD I was nervous to bring it up; but, since it was coming up more often, I felt the need to lay it out on the table.

I have a lot to say about this topic, but it's late at night and I don't want to type an essay on my phone. Actually, I'm surprised that you brought this up at all.