What are your thoughts on straight couples and female characters in BL?

[oandcksfb]

I read a lot of BL manga and listen to plenty of BL drama CDs. To be honest, I sometimes find female voices a bit distracting in drama CDs.
On the other hand, some female characters really add something special to the story. Whether it's giving the protagonists a reality check, offering a different perspective, or just being a lovable busybody, they can be a lot more important than they first seem.

So I'm curious—what are your thoughts on straight couples and female characters in BL?

 

[satory]

Every joseimuke and BL story needs to have a good female friend character I think writers generally use them to make MC realize their feelings or push MC in the romance direction, so they are needed as a plot device? But I understand how in CD voices may sound off, if it's more ASMR situation

 

[ninnikuryona]

as long as theyre not treated as devices for misogyny like many bl pieces of media love doing, im fine with it. however just like with otome and bl ships (which is already egregious by itself), id like it if hetero couples were nonexistent in bl. partially because of, once again, potential raging misogyny from both authors and fandoms, but also because i dont believe they belong to the genre
however i also love girls. cute girls are justice. so i would be a terrible liar if i said i dont want to see female friends in bl, because i do! but, once again, in moderation. and only as FRIENDS, not villains! ive had enough women portrayed as bitches/whores with killing stalking already:"3c

 

[oandcksfb]

Every joseimuke and BL story needs to have a good female friend character I think writers generally use them to make MC realize their feelings or push MC in the romance direction, so they are needed as a plot device? But I understand how in CD voices may sound off, if it's more ASMR situation

I think you make a good point. I like supportive female friend characters too!
As long as they're well-written, they can really enhance the story.
What I don't enjoy are characters who make fun of the leads for being gay or treat their relationship like a spectacle.
But honestly, that's a personality issue rather than a gender issue. I'd find those characters annoying no matter who they are.
I may just be remembering a few particularly nasty female characters from older works, and those examples ended up shaping my impression.

 

[satory]

I may just be remembering a few particularly nasty female characters from older works

Now I'm interested. Any particular examples? (asking for a friend to avoid these works XD)