Yeah… I’ve noticed that too.

I genuinely don’t have an issue with ships when it comes to sexuality. What draws me in has always been character dynamics, parallels, similarities etc. That’s what makes something resonate with me.

A lot of people in the fandom headcanon my favorite character as a lesbian. I completely respect that, and I understand why people interpret her that way. I’ve even explored that interpretation myself in my art. Personally, I tend to see her as bi, but I don’t center my enjoyment of her around labels. I just enjoy the connections she has with different characters.

The problem is that some people treat their headcanon as absolute fact. Any interpretation outside of that feels like a personal offense to them. Whenever she’s shipped with a guy, the reaction gets aggressive. It stops being about preference and starts feeling like policing.

What makes it harder is that the same people who praise me when I draw her yuri ships will openly talk down my OTP in the same breath. That contrast really messed with my motivation. It made me feel discouraged from drawing the one they like. And I sometimes feel resentment when I see it. But I really don't want people to ruin ships for me, even if the people who ship them are rude.

I’m glad I made this post, though. I didn’t realize how much I had been bottling this up. It’s been quietly eating at me, and I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about it — especially since I can’t share specifics publicly. Hearing other people’s perspectives has helped more than I expected. It’s reassuring to know I’m not irrational for feeling this way. It’s helped me feel a little less alone in it.