Pasquale1234 wrote...
I beg to differ. I see sexual orientation in Thedas not only as a complete non-issue, but also as something that is not even recognized. And that is not an entirely bad thing.
Western culture did not recognize the existence of sexual orientation until late in the 19th century. There weren't any labels for it.
Anything against "the norm" (which from todays POV means "heterosexuality") was simply considered as "deviation" from the norm and sin.
And it's not true that there weren't labels for it, it was just considered to be some sort of "unnatural" acts driven by unholy sources. Like with the word "tribade" which is much older than "lesbian". People thought that "tribades" must have some body defects or even have to be in fact hermaphrodites if they have sex with women.
I feel that your point is "everyone is bi". That's not true, and the reason why the concept of "sexual orientation" was formed is because it describes patterns of reality pretty well. There were always people who are exclusively attracted to people of the same sex, to people of other sex, and to both sexes in various degrees.
In a world where sexual orientation is not understood or contemplated, there is no such thing as "coming out". You might date males, you might date females, you might date neither or both - but your choices in these liasons do not define you. I've never quite understood why people make such a big deal out of it, as if it is some super-crucial component to one's identity or character. From where I sit, it isn't that different from whether someone prefers peach or raspberry, cake or pie, neither or both.
No, in world where sexual orientation is not understood or contemplated, as real life showed, the pattern expressed by majority (thus, heterosexuality) is considered the norm. Which is comforting for people who "deviate" from the norm only a bit, like bisexuals with preference for opposite sex, since they still could think that they are "generally normal", but it works against exclusively homosexual people, makes them completely invisible and is forcing them to adjust.
I don't think it's an especially bad thing for one's arranged marriage partner to be described as handsome or dreamy. If you're going to be required to marry someone, better that than some slimeball.
It's quite good example regarding your earlier " I've never quite understood why people make such a big deal out of it".
When someone says something like that to a woman who is forced to marry a man against her will, knowing that she's not attracted to men, then it's an act of total lack of empathy with how she feels, and it shows that they don't take her words regarding her feelings seriously.
If sexual orientation were to become a topic of discussion in the game, the most likely expectation would be a default of heterosexual, and only non-hets would need to state their orientation or come out in some way. I think that would be a giant step backward.
And I, as homosexual person, think otherwise. Heterosexuality is considered the default, everyone assumes you're hetero unless you state or show otherwise. So leaving it this way just takes away from visibility of people who are not straight.
Modifié par misoretu9, 18 janvier 2014 - 05:48 .
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just like any other level of customizability (such as, for instance, your race in DA:O) not having enough zots to address every facet that can be chosen by the player. 
