Why don't we call Lineage a "Gay XYZ Comic"?

This is a question Chris and I are asked, and which we've asked ourselves, many times. Claiming Lineage as a "Gay (Superhero, SciFi, Fantasy) Comic" would certainly attract a specific audience of devoted fans which any comic creator would long for. And, I must admit, it does seem a bit insane not to "cash in" on that rather specific genre. The argument has swung wildly over the years for and against without any real resolution.

The facts...

Lineage is the co-creation of a gay artist and I bisexual writer. Yes, all we'd have to do is add a lesbian social media expert and we'd be as queer a creative team as could be asked for. Add to the mix that the story itself has main characters of decidedly queer natures, and a host of supporting cast ranging the gamut from straight, through queer, to asexual, and you certainly have all the trappings of a maelstrom of queer opportunity hunting. We're rainbow warriors, writing and drawing strong characters of every conceivable gender and sexual identity. So yes, by nearly every measure we could with all sincerity claim that Lineage is a "gay comic".

But... 

There are certain expectations the moment one tosses the "sexual orientation" of the creators or the characters into the description/bi-line of a work. That expectation is that the work, whether SciFi, Action Adventure, Steam Punk, Fantasy, or Paranormal, will be a "romance." It has become almost a requirement that the moment orientation is advertised, "intimacy" and "sex" of said orientation become a central point to the plot (not THE, but definitely more than a side note).

And that is where the rub lies. Lineage is NOT a romance. It DOES have relationships, attractions, and intimacy. It DOES even have some sexual content. But it is not a tale of boy-meets-boy overcoming challenging odds to be together. The orientations of the characters, though vital and important aspects of their identities, have little bearing upon the central plot. So to raise the expectations of readers by adding the "Orientation" clause,only to disappoint them by not providing the hoped for content/scenes, would be a shabby thing to do.

Yeah, but...

The other side of the argument is that by not clearly stating that our comic is created and populated by queers, we are hiding behind "straight-privilege" and thereby not only lying to our straight-anticipating readers but are diminishing the relevance and visibility of an unseen and unprotected minority. Though I do not wholly agree with this argument, I can see some validity in the ethical and moral issue that a quiet minority will be a victimized minority. We are by no means ashamed of ourselves, or our characters. We believe that our characters epitomize the strengths and virtues of individual identities of all types. They won't be disguised or hidden from view, nor will there be any apologies for their existence as queer beings.

So, what do we do? Where do we draw the line between pride and prudence, honesty and vulgarity, between honoring who we are and rubbing it unnecessarily in people's faces? This is a dance we have yet to master the steps to!