Liking that Kind of Thing

Those of you who follow my gallery updates regularly know that I enjoy going to anime conventions. And those of you who have ever read some of my comments on these items (You're a brave person to put yourself through that) know that I like, scratch that, really love artwork featuring bishie men.

That being said, I'm not quite sure I got on the right plane for LA's Pacific Media Expo last weekend, because I'm quite certain that I was transported into the 17th century instead. How else can you explain the hypocrisy, involving mostly men, when you tell them that, instead of getting another sketch of a barely clothed female character, you want a hot man instead?

Gasp. A woman is requesting artwork of an adult man. Does she not realize that the world will certainly end if such a request is met?! There must be something wrong for her to forsake humanity over a piece of drawn male flesh!

Throughout this past weekend, I experienced this constantly. When I mentioned that I enjoy artwork featuring men, I would receive condescending looks from male art collectors, usually accompanied by an incredulous "You like *that* ?!" Excuse me? How is requesting that an artist sketch an attractive looking man any different than asking the same artist to draw a scantily clad woman?

Why is there so much negativity over male nudity, especially amongst us art collectors? Are we offended by the concept of powerful, well endowed men? Do we fear women discovering this sexual side of themselves and, collectively, feel that its our place to mock them so these women will conform to more modest standards?

I found an article about this subject on the BBC today (SFW) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20218094

Looks like I'm not the only one to experience this in the art world.

But my question is this - Considering how homophobic US society is, why is there no backlash when I buy artwork featuring a seductive female? I own lots of artwork featuring female eroge characters, and, despite several of these items being visible for years, I've yet to receive a derogatory comment regarding those. But the second I pull out a yaoi doujinshi, I'm a deviant?

Granted, I understand that not everyone is this closed minded, and I'm quite thankful for those who are able to challenge these prejudices. But I'm absolutely dumbfounded that, in the 21st century, in one of the most modern countries in the world, both men and women can be so damn close minded.