The Imperium's Stance on Homosexuality?

[Malok1013]

I was wondering if anyone knew, or had any good ideas towards, the stance of the Imperium on homosexuality. Would the Ecclesiarchy preach against it, as some modern churches do, or simply ignore it or something? Also, what do you think the social view of it would be around the Imperium?

[Grenadier]

I'd imagine it's all speculation since its all in a fictional universe. Now, I've not read many of the novels but I seem to recall two thin references to homosexuality in two different books. In one a character was described as a fruit in passing by another character. And in another there seemed to be a somewhat more than professional relationship between an elderly commissar and a subordinate. The author did not overtly make clear they were gay but I got the insinuation from it.

As for how it is viewed in the Imperium I have a few thoughts:

I'd think the Imperial Guard probably has a "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. And no doubt any sexuality, straight or gay, is likely not tolerated within the Guard's ranks. I know that porn is considered contraband so it stands to reason the vast ranks of the Guard are also prohibited from sexual activity. That is not to say some nookie makings aren't going on behind the scenes.

As for outside the military I'd imagine homosexuality is tolerated or not tolerated to various degrees from world to world. And as the Ecclisiarchy has several "denominations" it also stands to reason they may well preach against it. But then again I don't understand the religion of the Imperium. What is its "creation story?" Is there an afterlife concept? If so then there would also be a list of sins. And homosexuality might find itself on such a list. Or not.

Socially I would imagine the majority of Imperial citizens just don't give a damn. The Imperium is too vast and life is disposable so I'd think most folks really don't care what other people choose to do. As long as it doesn't involve Chaos!

[Malok1013]

Do you remember which books those were? And you are probably right about it varying from world to world, just as it tends to vary place to place in the real world.

[gwensdad]

Well in the Cain books he makes reference to a homosexual relationship between the Sarge and a trooper in his veteran squad and his only stated problem is that it's between a trooper and a superior. No problem with them being gay, just that one outranks the other.

[Grenadier]

I'm very bad with titles and keeping them straight. I think the "fruit" reference was in a Last Chancer's story but I could be wrong.

The other reference I believe was in Redemption Corps. One of the main characters was a commissar and I recall a brief segment of the story in which he was meeting with a superior commissar. This man was essentially bed ridden and in need of constant care. He had a younger commissar attending to him and there was brief reference to them holding hands.

[Necron2.0]

In theory, the Imperium is purely atheistic (that is to say, they don't worship a god, rather they worship the Emperor - and the Emperor was an atheist), so they probably do not care in the least what someone's sexual preferences are, so long as they do not interfere with the affairs of the state and do not hamper conscription quotas. I think you'd be in far bigger trouble if you expressed sexual attraction to a Xenos of the opposite sex rather than a human of the same sex.

[Grenadier]

How can it be atheistic when it reveres the Emperor as a God? And has a religion about him that's similar to Catholicsm? The Imperium even has saints and is famous for having holy wars. Last time I checked atheists don't build giant religious statues or huge gothic cathedrals. If the Imperium is atheistic what are Space Marines for then? They're seen as almost godlike by average citizens. The Templars are going on an eternal holy crusade. And they're always harping about faith.

And if I was an Imperial citizen I'd be in big trouble. I'd be all over those cute Eldar chicks. And then there's those daemonettes with their...um...unique breastly arrangements.

[Necron2.0]

I did say "in theory." Technically, the Imperium is atheistic - the Emperor demanded it. In practice ... eh, maybe not so much. There is something akin to religion, but it's nothing like Catholicism with its overt deference to a creator being. I'd argue it's more like an extremely advanced form of hero worship. The Shaq protects.

[DarkLink]

Not all, but a lot of atheists do like to be massive dicks about it. But I don't think the Imperium would consider itself atheist. The Emperor didn't want to be worshiped, but they do it anyways now that he can't really say anything.

[Grenadier]

I'm sure the Golden Throne he had in mind was just meant to be a gold plated toilet in his quarters onboard his ship.