Yuri (female/female) and Yaoi (male/male) relationships take some of the hardest hits in anime and society in general. The homophobic style dominates many societies, particularly in the United States. This is due in part to the conditioning many of us are brainwashed into believing when we are kids and reinforced by our parents and older generations. Many fans tend to take on a specialized or close-minded approach to their fandom and will pick and choose what they like and don't like. While that's absolutely normal, some will immediately say they don't like something without giving it even a glance. This of course is very common when somebody mentions yaoi or yuri. It takes on a plague-like reaction very much like hentai.

Well, I'm writing this to tell you differently. A little phrase kicks into play..."Free Your Mind". In other words, be open-minded and don't judge something based on stereotypes or what some groups or socieites think. Make up your own mind and opinions. If you still don't like something, then fine, but don't shun something because that's what everybody else is doing or feeling. I'm also not saying you have to participate or express yourself in the ways yuri and yaoi are, but rather, don't shun them just because you dislike them. Give them as much respect as you would any male/female story, artwork,etc. Like hentai, I've seen many anime sites shun these forms of character appreciation in total disrespect yet enthusiastically promote male/female types (and a "lemon" fic is still hentai so it's not a separate category). As I said previously, you don't have to like yaoi/yuri, but you don't have to disrespect it so openly either. It just reveals a close-minded person behind the site, ring,etc and promotes stereotyping/labelling. As stated in my hentai editorial, some of it is just raw and disrespectful in itself and for that I can see why some free sites,etc. aren't allowed to promote it, but there's also some hentai that's beautiful and romantic and still allowable on even those free sites. It's all a matter of how the webmaster, etc. perceives such things. So don't close off webrings, sites,etc. to yuri/yaoi and "hentai", then go and promote lemons or male/female pairings. Perhaps the only exception is if your site is devoted to a particular couple and only that particular couple. If you span beyond that, then even if you dislike it, allow the other possibilities. You don't have to read or view them yourself, but do remember that you're not the only one viewing your site,etc. All you need to do is simply place a warning beside it, indicating yuri/yaoi,etc. so that other close-minded people won't feel "offended." But, at least you're not shunning either type to your site, webring,etc. and you're showing that you are respectful to all forms of expression whether you agree with it or not.

Yuri and Yaoi can be as beautiful and romantic as the finest male/female story or art. If you ignore the stereotypes homosexuality is given, you can see this. The emotional and mental bonding called love that many male/females feel can also be expressed through yuri and yaoi. It doesn't even have to be a sexual love. Yuri and yaoi can be expressed as a deep bond between friends as well. Many people are quick to condemn it to the realms of pervertism and abnormality. Perhaps it's because they fear what they do not understand or they just fall prey to stereotypes? I'm not sure, but I do know that it's no more abnormal than a female/male bond. Without getting graphic, I'll just say that from every aspect of a relationship be it same sex or opposite sex, the progression is the same as is the emotions shared between the couple. Both types of relationships are seen throughout all of nature thus giving proof that there's no abnormality in either type. It's only close-minded and phobic people who think that humans are above nature and able to change the course of nature for their species. Humans are as tied to nature and instinct as a deer in the woods. It's only our vanity that makes us think otherwise. There's a fairly common saying, "Love Knows No Bounds." This doesn't just apply to heterosexuality. You can't help who you fall in love with. Only society/culture/religion tends to limit its possiblities. See beyond this if possible. You don't have to agree with it, just see beyond it.

I'm not trying to "turn" you or preach to you about this, but I'm merely trying to open your mind a little. The world takes on an entirely different view when your perception of it and its inhabitants are seen with an open mind. This applies not only to yuri and yaoi, but also hentai, race/color, religions, and so forth. You can truly feel free and unbound if you unchain yourself from the binds of stereotypes and labels. You don't have to like any particular type of group,etc., but even if you don't like them, don't disrespect them by openly shunning or berating them, they are, afterall, as human as you are. The only difference is that of a mere opinion or thought in your head and theirs. Respect them as you wish yourself respected. We are all human afterall.