I often find that gay books the publishers want to shelve as mainstream have to allude to the homosexual aspects rather than making it obvious in the blurb. Favourite 'code phrases' seem to be: 'all is not as it seems', 'close friendship with another boy/man', 'ill-starred or ill-advised affair', and 'obsessed with [male character's name].

Anyone spotted any others?

Should publishers be more upfront about gay content in these enlightened times?

No, I don't think so. I rather like deciphering the codes.

And after a while, they become so obvious. Like the wonderful 'confirmed bachelor' in my parents' generation.

LOL yes that's another good 'un.

I found a couple more:

'Forbidden love'; 'seeking forbidden fruit' (well, I had to get the zine name from somewhere LOL); 'off-centre sex'.

Not so much book codes as ones in general (old-fashioned) conversation; 'artistic', 'sensitive' and the one I love from the end of the 19thC, 'musical'.

Musical? Gawd. I pity any straight composers. LOL

Went to see the stand-up comedy routine "Moths ate my Doctor Who scarf" a couple of weeks ago. The comedian really is a life-long Who fan, as was evident by his material. He did make reference to the fact that male Who fen are assumed to be gay unless proven otherwise...