Straight but Shipping

For years, Boys’ Love (BL) — a genre focused on romantic and often erotic relationships between male characters — was thought to belong exclusively to a niche audience: mostly women, LGBTQI+ readers, and dedicated fandom circles. But something surprising is happening these days, Straight men are joining the party. And not quietly. From YouTube reviewers analyzing Thai BL dramas to Reddit threads filled with first-time BL watchers gushing about emotional rooftop confessions, heterosexual men are now openly consuming, enjoying, and even celebrating BL stories. So what’s driving this shift? Why would straight men — in a world saturated with male-centric action, power fantasies, and hetero romance — turn to male/male love stories for comfort, entertainment, and sometimes even inspiration? First off, despite all the toxic and unexplored criticisms on BL works, on a general perspective BL often presents its protagonists as equals — both male, both emotionally complex. Unlike some hetero romance tropes that rely on dominant/submissive binaries, many BL stories focuses on equal emotional negotiation, highlights consent and mutual desire and subvert gender expectations. This provides a different model for relationship: reciprocal. Plus, on the sensitive side of gender identity and orientation, one thing to note though straight guys are not watching BL to imagine themselves in a gay relationship because they’re aware that BL is technically fiction with no strings attach. They view BL as a safe fiction where emotions are honestly laid out. They’re watching because the story is good — and because quality BL productions comes complete not only with the main feature but also behind the scenes interviews, OST and live event coverage like fan meetings and premiere gala nights factor in the aesthetic pleasure of seeing a beautiful cinematography. Straight guys contrary to common stereotypes tends to be more romantic at heart, seeing the romantic tensions at play on BL production is another reason why they’re BL lovin’ it. What’s fascinating about this trend is that BL is technically breaking boundaries, BL is no longer “just for fangirls.” It’s a bridge across gender, culture, and orientation — one that allows anyone to feel the joys and tensions of love and everything that comes with it.