Why are the covers of gay romance novels so different than those of mainstream romance? Are we, the ones who actually read (and look forward to!) the sex scenes between two men, really afraid to see two men embracing on the cover? Or are publishers afraid of offending someone whose eyes might happen upon the book by mistake?

Typical mainstream romance cover art: Half-dressed man embracing half-dressed woman, smoldering looks, shuttered eyes.

Typical gay romance cover art: One handsome face in the foreground, a second handsome face in the background. No smoldering looks, no shuttered eyes. No touching?!? How is that romance?