Why do they always have to be neighbors as kids, long lost friends from when they were kids, cousins, or step-brothers?

Why do we have to see kids hug and kiss each other in these shows in order to give meaning to their adult relationships?

Can't they just be two guys who fall in love?

I think I'm gonna give up on BLs altogether, this is making us all look bad. This is giving the homophobes of the world plenty of ammunition to accuse us of being pedophiles in order to deny us basic human rights.