I'm just wondering why your cynicism has any bearing on the argument. That's like me saying I've seen movies with strong female characters, but because Hollywood also makes more movies with dumb bimbo sex objects, I believe the movies with strong female characters are just pandering to get feminists into the theater.
It's very true that ho-yay/les-yay is played up in Western and Eastern entertainment. No one's going to dispute the fact that it's there. However, it's not all purely fanservice. Dismissing it all as fanservice is offensive to the gay/straight/bi people who look at it and are overjoyed to see what would, in any other situation -- by your own admission -- be a legitimate relationship. That Cortez is gay in Mass Effect 3 is a big fucking deal. That Traynor is a lesbian is a big fucking deal. Some people will forever see them as pandering to the homosexuals who have the gall to want representation when they build a character they're supposed to identify with. That's a shame. Others will be delighted that they can finally be a gay male in Mass Effect 3. And others will be delighted for them.
Again, the trouble with what you're saying comes from your implication that Fang/Vanille would be legitimate in any other arrangement. If Fang was a guy, their relationship would be solid. If Vanille was a guy, the relationship would be valid. And your only "proof" of it not being valid is... les-yay. If you want to be cynical and only validate a presentation of gays and lesbians in a way that doesn't seem exploitative, get to the back of the line, because women have been waiting for that since time began. Don't piss in our Cheerios because we've learned to take what we can get.
no subject
It's very true that ho-yay/les-yay is played up in Western and Eastern entertainment. No one's going to dispute the fact that it's there. However, it's not all purely fanservice. Dismissing it all as fanservice is offensive to the gay/straight/bi people who look at it and are overjoyed to see what would, in any other situation -- by your own admission -- be a legitimate relationship. That Cortez is gay in Mass Effect 3 is a big fucking deal. That Traynor is a lesbian is a big fucking deal. Some people will forever see them as pandering to the homosexuals who have the gall to want representation when they build a character they're supposed to identify with. That's a shame. Others will be delighted that they can finally be a gay male in Mass Effect 3. And others will be delighted for them.
Again, the trouble with what you're saying comes from your implication that Fang/Vanille would be legitimate in any other arrangement. If Fang was a guy, their relationship would be solid. If Vanille was a guy, the relationship would be valid. And your only "proof" of it not being valid is... les-yay. If you want to be cynical and only validate a presentation of gays and lesbians in a way that doesn't seem exploitative, get to the back of the line, because women have been waiting for that since time began. Don't piss in our Cheerios because we've learned to take what we can get.