If you plan to not read the full OP, at least go to the bottom and read the guidelines.

So as the title suggests, I wish to discuss the possibility of representing sixual diversity in Skyrim, and whether or not implementing it into the world (and possibly story) would be a good idea and would fit well with the game world. To break it down:

What do you mean by sixual diversity?
I mean the representation of more than one type of sixuality in the game. This can include attractions between two species as well as different and same gender attractions. The human population here on Earth has a 10% ratio of homo- or bisixual people in fairly liberal communities, so assuming that the humans of Tamriel are similar to us biologically and mentally, it would be safe to assume the same ratio there. And that's excluding attractions between different sapient species. Keep in mind here that I've hardly read any of the TES lore, and don't know how conservative the society is; but I expect that to be part of the discussion.

So you want us to discuss six?
NO! Please don't. This topic is a pandora's box in and of itself, and we don't need the discussion of whether or not six should be an element added to that. I want to discuss whether or not the diversity of sixual attraction in Earth humans should be represented in the game.

On a practical level, what does this mean?
Well first of all, it means that some rare couples in the game will be between two people of the same gender and/or, if it's consistent with the lore, of different species. If relationships will be a part of the game like some have requested, it might mean that the player can choose his or her character's sixuality, and they might rarely be approached by homo- or bisixuals of the same gender and/or other species. It's very hard to pull off without it seeming shoe-horned in, however, which, to me, is the main argument against implementing it.

For some more information on sixual diversity in games I recommend http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2520-sixual-Diversity.

Guidelines

I expect the mods to be very wary about allowing this sort of topic, and I hope they won't close it as soon as they see it. I don't intend to do backseat moderating, but I will set up some guidelines to keep the discussion civil and avoid flamewars and pointless, never-ending and off-topic discussions.

I will personally monitor this thread closely and report any post that breaks these guidelines. All these things should go without saying, but my experience with internet forums has taught me they're needed.

Do not make remarks or otherwise discuss the following topics:

• Whether or not homo- and bisixuality is a choice
  
• Your personal views on homo- or bisixuals
  
• Any sort of religion that is not a part of TES Lore
  
• Political views that are not a part of TES Lore
  
• six

General DON'Ts

• Flaming
  
• Trolling
  
• Troll-baiting

TL;DR: Either read the entire thing, or don't reply. This topic interests me and I want a civil discussion about it; I'm not going to get that from someone who's posting on impulse.

Thank you, and I hope we can have a good discussion about this

EDIT:
Regarding the general lack of relationships in TES:


And Phaedra clarifying how general diversity can add something to the series

Fallout: New Vegas did a great job with homosixual NPCs. But TES being based on the Dark Age era, and Medieval societies, homosixualism and such would be punishable to death.

So it's unlikely that you would see NPCs expressing this, and even if they were homosixuals, they would be scared of telling someone, because they could tell the law, and consequently those would be executed.

Are you gay?

Just playing man. I dont care. But I do remember a particularly friendly character in Morrowind. My question is - if homosixuality is expressed in Skyrim will some people take offense to how its represented? Personally I prefer topics that bring up social issues (at least the ones that still offer debate in our current society) to be left alone if they cannot be done right, otherwise I just feel like they were plugged in. If Bethesda takes the time to not make it seem silly and obnoxious then I dont see why not. But to be honest the only Gay guy in Morrowind was represented in a pretty creepy fashion.

sixual orientation has rarely ever been a prevalent element in any of the games. Adding in prevalent homosixuality to the game would honestly feel very shoehorned in and might even verge on pandering. It may even feel like Todd Howard is yelling to us through the game "See? I don't have any problem with gays!". I don't have a problem with it in itself, but I just don't see how they could make it subtle enough for it not to be ridiculous.

It wouldn't be the first time something like this has been in an Elder Scrolls game-See http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Crassius_Curio.

That's not entirly true. Rome was much more open about these types of things, and it carried over. Some places it was punishable by death, but in others it was often bragged about. It wasn't until later when religion started playing a much larger role in peoples lives that it was fround upon. And it wasnt fround upon because they didn't like it, it was fround upon because it meant people weren't being fruitful and multiplying. At least, that's what my college prof lead me to beleive. >.>

Well, Mass Effect went with separate-species romance, so I don't see why something of that sort can't be included in TES. I don't know what to say about the same-gender attractions, except that it would be wiser for the game to leave it vague enough so that homophobic people don't end up throwing a crapfest.

I think a http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Crassius_Curio-esque encounter would be quite funny. As for homosixual and cross-species relationships, I don't really care. It doesn't bother me and I won't notice or think the game is more realistic with it in or less realistic without it.

What's interesting about that comparison, though, is that medieval societies were highly misogynistic too. However, in Oblivion at least, women seemed to be considered equal to men; owning shops, holding high positions in guilds and so forth. Of course, Tamriel does seem to be a patriarchy, but there's still a level of gender equality that wasn't present in medieval Europe. So there are obvious differences.

Plus I think Cyrodill was inspired by both medieval and ancient Roman and Greek history and architecture.

I agree, some subjects are better left untouch.

Havin gay characters is fine, having gay characters for the sake of having gay characters is not. This is based on whatever the devs care about not medieval europe so there's no reason for most characters to hide their homosixuality. But remembering every other TES most characters don't have a sixuality to begin with. I'm fine with Todd adding in gays but not if it detracts from the time spent developing gameplay or some other element which will benefit this game more than diversity for the sake of it. Personally I'd prefer if sixuality stays out of Elder Scrolls completely so the games don't switch focus to dating sims like bioware has.

That discussion would require TES having any kind of relationships between NPCs or romance plot lines to begin with. Right now even a mention of NPC having a family is few and far between. There is NO ROMANCE in TSE, and of course no six, not even implied, and even new found children would probably spawn in prison just like advlts So whats the point trying to discus sixual diversity when there is not even a hint of sixuality present to begin with? Moot point.
Thou for the record I'm all for diversity, would love it, if we actually had any relationships in game...

I wouldn't expect many open homosixual relationships. Medieval/dark age society after all.

Cross species love seems to be kind of rare but not unknown. See Lusty Argonian Maid, The.

Nah, they just really took on the Ayleid architecture which was based on Roman and Greek.

Again with the homosixuality honestly who cares? I just want to play TES V: Skyrim!

yeah. Unless Bethesda decides to place more emphasis on romantic relationships I believe the player can infer whatever he wants about the sixuality of all the characters, including his own. It does get a little more complicated if players are allowed to have significant others, but I doubt it will happen.

like most people here. it COULD be done, but I think unless done VERY carefully, some people would be insulted by it, or it would simply feel weird

I'd like them to take the New Vegas approach where you can maybe get a Confirmed Bachelor-esque perk that opens up new dialogue options with people.

Leave it to Bioware, I don't see how it would work on a game built to be played on first-person.

First-person six scenes... Just no!

In reply to the OP. If we can't talk about six, and seeing as how relationships are not a part of the game, I see no reason for this to be implemented.
sixuality was not addressed at all, so why would we need to expand upon it and diversify?
However, if that has changed in the game, and relationships are added and sixuality is addressed I would expect to see some of it. I also think the Khajits and Argonians are going to keep to themselves.

Frankly, I just don't see it coming up because sixuality in general would have to be addressed first, and I just don't see that happening.

Hope I didn't offend anyone, I tried no to.

This.

If they have it good for them. There will possibly be books or other fluff to show race/orientation to fill some of this information in.

No we should not. Bioware are complete failures when it comes to homosixuality in videogames.

the way i see it is if Dragon Age can do it and get away with it than why cant Skyrim? didnt bother me one bit to have a rogue elf hitting on me every time i turned around. i just gently let him down and became best friends with the guy :foodndrink:

Honestly, I'd rather such matters be left untouched. Crassius Curio was creepy in an amusing sort of way, but I wouldn't want a steady diet of it.

I think the people of Tamriels sixuality should be just like real life...meaning none of our buisness