Black Paint answers “Question to the people who read this, like...”

Leah Stein asked this question about Demian:

Question to the people who read this, like myself: Did you also find strong homosexual undertones? I found Sinclair infatuation and longing to Demian to not be necessarily worshiping, but a falling in love of sorts... And the book progresses, to the last moment, I read it as half a coming-out story. What do you think?

Black Paint No, not really. At least not in a sexual way. I think the idea of categorizing that relationship as a coming out story reduces it quite a lot, ignores…moreNo, not really. At least not in a sexual way. I think the idea of categorizing that relationship as a coming out story reduces it quite a lot, ignores the feelings he has for Demian's mother and furthers the idea that men can't have a deep love (brotherhood) to each other without them being looked at as secretly gay.

Is it so incredibly impossible that men can have a love to each other that even includes physical affection without them having a secret desire to sleep with each other or men in general?

There is deep admiration and love between them but there is nothing that implies it to be genuinely sexual, it's the same relationship two brothers have with the younger one seeing the older as a mentor figure and guide.

I understand some people want to read into any deep male connection a potential coming out story for representation but it undermines male relationships by assigning any male relationship that goes beyond a "bro" attitude as having a sexual tension that speaks to either person's sexual nature.(less)

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