I think in this case it's the fact that the common portrayal of women in media and especially the fantasy/action genres is the fact that they need someone (usually a man) in order to do the heavy lifting.
For instance, in pretty much any other game, Cassandra would have been a male character, because of not only her attitude, but also her affiliation with the Seekers themselves. It's a very masculine role and there are very few women who have been depicted in such ways, not just in games, but across all media. Unfortunately, the majority of those women who are put into masculine role are justified in those roles because they are "less than woman" e.g. more man than woman, and the most cost effective way to do this in a limited time is to make her a lesbian. Like "Look at this woman here, she's an [insert occupation here] no real woman would ever truly be interested in doing this, so she has to be like men."
To me, this is related to the unwillingness of *straight men to acknowledge that a feminine woman would ever be interested in another woman (because women have to justify not wanting or being attracted to a man) and therefore the prevalence of most fictional lesbian women being only lesbian until the main male character comes along, or if she is actually bisexual, then she is the feminine, conventionally attractive, unassuming type, more akin to Lelianna and Josephine. Not that I have any objection to those two, or their type, but just an observation. Which then pushes the problem into a new area: because a butch, more masculine woman was seen as a derogatory or inflaming stereotype, there is reluctance to portray one in a story because then she is seen as not her own character, but a cheap and easy way to fill in a slot.
To bring this back around to my original intent, these more feminine characters are usually sidelined in favor of a masculine hero, and then relegated to background noise with no agency of their own. Again, I say usually, because as we can clearly see, Bioware certainly does not engage in this practice. Therefore it was disheartening when Cassandra was not at least bisexual, and I would argue Vivienne as well, because if the case can be made for non heterosexual women, then the same can be true of women of color regardless of their sexuality. Although, it could be argued that Vivienne may be a stronger character because she can't be romanced.
There's more to come, but family lunch is happening,
*straight refers to the societal heterosexual man, not every one ever in existance
Yes, much of it stems from gender roles and the way some people are so hopelessly entrenched in afirming them. It goes bad for men and women alike. Basically, you step outside the "approved" characteristics for your gender, it means something is wrong or abnormal with you. A woman like Cassandra, with whom Bioware did a great job imo, who is independent and strong, both physically and mentally, and like you said, doesn't need a man to "save" or "help" her (which is such a tired trope) is perceived as "not feminine enough", not "traditionally beautiful" or whatever nonsense people were saying when complaining how the str8 male gamers got only ugly women to romance (I actually believe I read somewhere how she is "like a man" so yeah...).
The same happens with men. Have them be a bit more sensitive, or emotional, and bam! they're "less then real men".
It amuses me to some degree when I hear people talk about this because no matter who they are hating on, they don't seem to realise they are basically undermining the other gender as well. I mean you can't argue a delicate, sensitive, emotional man is "less then a man" or "more feminine", without implying that a woman is less. This is particularly funny when a woman makes the argument. Same goes for arguing a woman is "less" if she is stronger, independent. Simply considering those attributes as "specific to men" is insulting.
But eh, society at large is still largely lost in the absurdity of gender roles and all the idiotic bla bla about how womer are supposed to be this and that and men are supposed to be this and that.
With their effort to make a great game and representation, and they did do an amazing job, especially when comparing them to... anyone else on the market lol, Bioware did fall for this too a bit. But well, at least they are really trying to push things forward. I respect that.
Oh and don't get me started on the "you're not gay, you just haven't met the right man/woman" thing. It gets my blood boiling lol.
Retour en haut
. As for the brodudes lol, it's not your issue (general you) that some think the gay is icky, it's their problem.
lol.
) type of hero... lol
(I'm so shallow...)
dwarf lover 
the "bisexuality doesn't really exist, your just sexually confused" thing p*sses me off alot after hearing it so much
I love this thread.
