The problem is, there is so much new media pushing gay couples into stories as a way to virtue signal, that you can't see the inclusion of gay characters as anything but a political statement. (The same is true for inter-racial couples, although to a lesser extent.) No matter how natural the inclusion, or how well it suits the story, you just can't help but imagine the white liberal writer's smug face as they set pen to paper, thinking to themselves "Now HERE'S a blow for Progressivism! I am SUCH a good ally!" It feels preachy, and no one likes to be preached at. Back in the 90's, you'd watch an anime, see a gay character, have a story that played with gender roles, or see a strong, powerful female character, and it would seem natural, because you knew there wasn't an agenda behind it. (Because Japanese writers really don't have any reason to hate American Conservatives or Christianity. They're not trying to write stories that "stick it" to anyone or push a political agenda.) Maybe this is because most manga starts off as a personal thing - as a single writer/artist (or a small group) trying to make the story inside their head become a reality. Whereas in the West, comic books and TV series seem more like committee-driven entertainment made for consumption and merchandising...
