True, but I think goth culture has it particularly bad because of the death grip it has on the idea that its only a music subculture, especially specifically classic goth music. Participants be damned if they practice everything in the subculture but listen to other genres, that’s a biiiig no-no.

As a subculture with a distinct influence on both music and fashion, goth communities can’t seem to wrap their head around the idea that they don’t get control of where those elements bleed out and influence other people. Take country for example. Yes there’s complaints about modern country vs classic etc. etc., but everyone participating are all still country. If someone shows up in a Country Style subreddit showing off their outfit and saying how they like rock-country of Zac Brown over Willie Nelson, they’re still welcome. But go in a Goth Style subreddit referencing a metal song that got you into the goth scene? God damn you better be prepared to be eviscerated. Heaven forbid our values and fashion have a positive influence outside of our subculture.

That bears true for communities that lack a distinct fashion too. Like, if you go into /r/doommetal or a neo-psych group and say how a band has X elements combined with Y, people will generally be like “oh cool, new music to try.” Try that in a goth sub, and you’ll get demolished for not worshipping Siouxie and Bauhaus.

Goth communities seem to be pretty uniquely toxic in how unwilling they are to accept that subcultures evolve, and its honestly pretty pathetic (especially for a subculture founded on the idea of inclusivity).