Human Sexuality, First Era
Empire
During the First Era, almost whole Imperial population lived in a strong consensus that no sexuality should be seen as a taboo or inappropriate. Except for cases when it inflicts harm on one of the parties.
Two of young Imperial Noblemen flirting in an underground club.
For example, homosexual relations between citizens and non-citizens of the Empire are seen completely equally as heterosexual affection. The cultural reason for this is the personality of the first Monarch of Khan dynasty. Admiral Unmesh Khan was openly married with his first officer, Alexander Denj. This strong homosexual union had to be painfully disbanded when Unmesh Khan had to merry a noblewoman in order to start a Khan dynasty. Alexander couldn`t bare this loss and chose to meet a honorable end by drowning himself in the endless ocean of Limmea.
This tragic story became one of the pillars of Imperial culture where sacrifice for the nation is valued high above personal happiness. While being obsessed with building their own small dynasties, most homosexual Imperial nobles chouse to commit to heterosexual marriages while keeping their lovers as concubines. Invention of affordable artificial womb eliminated this praxis and empowered thousands of Imperials to officially commit to their same-sex life partner without any second thoughts.
It is important to point out that on the other hand, any sexual relationships between member of different castes, like first class citizens and second class citizens, nobles and common folk, are strongly frowned upon. According to widespread praxis, both children and a parent that belongs to higher caste are being degraded to the caste level of a parent with lowest social status. This is a very peculiar example of downward mobility in the Imperial society.
Federation
In the Federal space there was no unifying relationship culture that could form a consensus around sexuality. Most planets and states are empowered to foster traditions that are mostly coherent with opinions that dominate the local environment. So people who engage in homosexual relations may feel safe in the capital, and enjoy sexual freedom almost on par with Imperial citizens… While federal citizens on the fringe worlds or in closed off tribes may risk their lives by openly practicing homosexual relations.
So the Federal space is extremely diverse in this regard, spanning on a spectrum from extremely homophobic to extremely tolerant or even encouraging in some places. A good example in this regard can be planet of Roria where adult citizens engage exclusively in homosexual relationships before their relatives choose a spouse for their arranged heterosexual marriage.
Sources:
Imperial Informatorium
Federal Intergalactic News Network
