When I first looked at the ratings, it seemed odd that m/m automatically recv'd the highest rating. I asked about it during a live chat once and was told, "Well, it's anal." That made sense to me--at the time. Now, I think that, yes, m/m does usually mean anal (althought I'm sure the men who don't like anal would appreciate more fiction) there are still levels that go with it. I don't think the current rating system used by most publishers properly works with m/m stuff. Probably not f/f stuff too, but I don't know much about that. :?

Anal gets the highest level? It's just a hole. It isn't a given either. At least 3-4 of my m/ms aren't anal. I would expect the humiliation, edgeplay etc to be in the highest rating because it's um dangerous. Or maybe extreme kinks because unless you're into it it's just funny.

I wonder if m/f anal also gets the highest rating automatically?

If so it would be easier to say 'anal' than 'm/m'--IMHO, sounds like an excuse.

I wonder if m/f anal also gets the highest rating automatically? I would say in general for m/f - you add the anal scene, you up the rating to one of the highest. It depends on the rating system for the publisher. EC has an Erotic (E), and an Extreme (X). I know an author that has two ménage books there. She has both m/m anal and m/f anal in each book and they are only E rated.

This issue came up in a Canadian Supreme Court case, Little Sister's vs. Canada Customs. During the lower-court trials, it was pointed out that, by banning books describing anal sex, Canada Customs was essentially penalizing gay men for not having vaginal sex. Canada Customs was smart enough to drop that rule before the matter reached the Supreme Court. :)