Why Some Countries Ban BL—And How Fans Are Fighting Back

Today article, Let’s talk about something that a lot of BL fans deal with—censorship.

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Imagine loving BL, but every time you try to watch a new series, it’s blocked in your country. Or worse, the show gets heavily censored, cutting out all the romance, and suddenly the characters are just “best friends.” Yeah, that’s reality for a lot of people.

BL has grown so much over the years, but not every country is happy about that. Some ban it completely, some censor it, and others try to erase the romance from the story. But here’s the thing—fans always find a way to watch it anyway.

So why do some countries hate BL so much? And how are fans fighting back? Let’s get into it.

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Why Do Some Countries Ban BL?

First, let’s talk about who’s banning BL and why.

1. China – The ‘Bromance’ Trick

China loves BL. In fact, some of the biggest BL novels come from there. But when it comes to TV shows and movies, the government says nope to anything that looks like an actual romance between two men.

• They have strict censorship rules that don’t allow LGBTQ+ content in mainstream media.

• Instead of banning BL completely, they change it into “bromance”—like what they did with The Untamed.

• BL actors in China also have crazy contracts that stop them from doing fan service or even talking about LGBTQ+ topics.

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2. South Korea – BL is Okay… But Not on TV

Korea has some amazing BL dramas like Semantic Error and The Eighth Sense, but here’s the problem—

• Mainstream TV networks don’t want BL.

• Most BL series in Korea are on streaming platforms only.

• Why? Because traditional Korean media still sees BL as “controversial.”

Even though BL has a huge fanbase in Korea, it’s still not fully accepted in the industry.

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3. The Middle East – BL is Completely Banned

Now, this is where it gets really strict. In many Middle Eastern and North African countries, LGBTQ+ content is not just censored—it’s illegal.

• Streaming platforms remove all BL content from their regional versions.

• Even if a BL series is available worldwide, fans in these countries can’t access it.

• Some places even block websites that promote LGBTQ+ content.

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4. Russia – The “Gay Propaganda” Law

In Russia, BL isn’t just censored—it’s dangerous.

• They have a law that bans “gay propaganda,” meaning anything that promotes LGBTQ+ relationships is seen as illegal.

• Even publishing BL novels or LGBTQ+ discussions online can get people in trouble.

• Because of this, most Russian BL fans have to watch content in secret.

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How Fans Are Fighting Back

Okay, so BL is banned or censored in a lot of places. But does that stop fans? Not even close.

1. Using VPNs to Watch BL

This is the number one trick people use.

• VPNs (like Surfshark or NordVPN) let fans change their location online so they can watch BL content that’s blocked in their country.

• A lot of fans subscribe to international streaming services just to access BL dramas.

2. Petitions & Online Campaigns

BL fans don’t just sit back and accept bans—they fight back online.

• Fans create petitions asking for BL content to be available in more countries.

• Hashtags like #SaveBL and #BLRepresentationMatters trend on Twitter when a show gets censored.

• Companies like Netflix and iQIYI see this demand, and sometimes they change their policies to bring BL to more places.

3. Fan Subtitles & Secret Streaming

If a BL show is banned in one country, fans find a way to share it.

• Fan translators create subtitles and share BL dramas online.

• Some fans re-upload BL content on sites that aren’t blocked in their country.

• Private groups on Discord, Telegram, and Twitter share BL dramas with people who can’t access them.

4. LGBTQ+ Activism & Legal Battles

Even though BL is just a fictional genre, it’s also part of a bigger fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

• In some countries, activists are pushing for laws that protect LGBTQ+ people and their media representation.

• As more people speak up, companies and governments are forced to listen.

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The Future of BL in Restricted Countries

So, will BL ever be fully accepted everywhere? It’s hard to say. But here’s what we do know:

✔️ Streaming platforms are growing, making it harder for governments to control everything.

✔️ Fans are louder than ever, so companies can’t ignore BL’s popularity.

✔️ Creators are getting smarter, using metaphors and hidden storytelling to tell BL stories without getting censored.

At the end of the day, BL isn’t just a genre—it’s a movement. And as long as fans keep supporting it, no ban will ever stop it.

So yeah, BL bans suck. But fans? They’re unstoppable.

If you’re in a country where BL is banned, just know that you’re not alone. Fans around the world are fighting for BL’s right to exist, and change is happening—even if it’s slow.

And if you’ve ever had to use a VPN or secretly download a BL series—I see you. You’re part of the fight, too.

What do you think? Have you ever faced censorship issues with BL? Let’s talk in the comments!