This article is not it, and I really hope the writer will take the feedback heavily into account. Gay men do not exclusively present/act in one way, and therefore anything in close proximity to that must then also be gay. Bi/pansexual men do not exclusively present/act in one way, and therefore can never possibly exhibit the same ꦰmannerisms as a gay man. Astarion is not gay coded, he is canonically pansexual as confirmed by his own voice actor - who had a very large part in creating and deciding how the character would be portrayed. While it "could be argued that Astarion's experiences as a gay man" are being erased for the benefit of straight women, it could also be argued that Astarion's experiences, identity, and existence as a canonically pansexual character are being erased by this author because ... I guess it doesn't fit their headcanon𓄧? Also it could be argued that the experiences (and existence) of every real life bi/pansexual woman who enjoys Astarion have been erased because this author forgot they existed. Or something. Mayhap we should not criticize the progressiveness of video games finally allowing people to romance whoever they want, regardless of gender, whilst simultaneously being very regressive ourselves, yes?