I kind of imagine that sexuality, like all other things in Orlanthi society, serves practical purposes. I kind of get the impression that homosexuality in Orlanthi culture is more of simply a personal choice, as opposed to an 'alternate lifestyle'. As long as a husband or wife fufill their marital obligations, have children, and raise them well, homosexual relationships of either type are perhaps joked about, but that's it. Since only heterosexual relationships can produce children and control inheritance, blood ties and the distribution of property, homosexuality doesn't to me seem as disruptive to Orlanthi society as, say, adultery or incest.
This puts an Orlanthi steadwife in the unique position of being relieved when her husband is found to be having a relationship with a fellow weaponthane or such. "Thank thunder it wasn't another woman!"
Merely my thoughts,
CB
Powered by hypermail