#slash fandom doesn't seem remotely comparable given it's so often taking place in the context of “subtext” and “coding”

[kawaiifacesong]

Is part of the division in the fandom about what kind of "queer media" people were consuming?

Because, being honest, this show is the most perfunctory and broadly appealing kind of queer media. It's not exactly challenging.

I was watching QAF, Undressed, and Tales of the City when I was younger. Skins too but only the first two seasons and I got bored. If I wanted "mainstream" rep it was Will and Grace or Brothers and Sisters (only the latter of which could be considered remotely challenging).

For movies it was Mysterious Skin, Shelter, Prayers for Bobby, and Brokeback (naturally).

As I got older I found good stuff like Eastsiders, Looking, IWTV, and for movies, In From the Side, the Normal Heart, and All of Us Strangers. More "mainstream" was Shameless, for Ian and Mickey.

I have serious doubts that there is any overlap between the media journeys of some queer fans, particularly queer men, and the media journeys of some slash fans.