Sexuality in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)

For sexuality depicted in the Original Series, see: Sexuality in Battlestar Galactica (TOS).

Sexuality in the Re-imagined Series mirrors sexuality in the real world, in terms of the presence of hetero-, homo- and bi-sexual relationships.

According to comments from Michael Taylor, the Colonials do not make an emphasis "of the distinction between hetero- and homosexual preferences. I tend to think that in this respect, at least, they’re a bit more enlightened than we are."

Heterosexuality

William Adama and Jaycie McGavin in coitus (Razor Flashbacks).

Relationships depicted in the series tend to be overwhelmingly heterosexual in nature. Amongst these major heterosexual relationships are:

• Relationships resulting in marriage
  • Saul Tigh and Ellen Tigh
  • Kara Thrace and Samuel Anders
  • William Adama and Carolanne Adama (Miniseries, "A Day in the Life")
  • Cally Tyrol neé Henderson and Galen Tyrol
  • Anastasia Dualla and Lee Adama
  • Romo Lampkin and wife (The Son Also Rises)
  • Karl Agathon and Sharon Agathon
  • Jurgen Belzen and Rika Belzen

• Relationships between consensual, unmarried persons
  • Sharon Valerii and Galen Tyrol
  • Lee Adama and Kara Thrace ("Scar", "Unfinished Business")
  • William Adama and Laura Roslin (implied, "A Day in the Life")
  • William Adama and Jaycie McGavin (Razor Flashbacks)
  • Laura Roslin and Richard Adar (Epiphanies)
  • Tory Foster and Samuel Anders
  • Billy Keikeya and Anastasia Dualla

• Sexual relationship between consensual adults while engaged in other sexual relationships
  • Gaius Baltar and various female conquests such as Sherry Bennett, Caprica Six, Gina Inviere, Number Three, Kara Thrace, Playa Palacios, and an unidentified woman in the Miniseries. Baltar's ongoing relations with Virtual Six are difficult to define, but certainly involve a sexual aspect.
  • Ellen Tigh and various men during her marriage to Saul Tigh (Miniseries, "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down", "Occupation", "Precipice")
  • Lee Adama and Kara Thrace cheat on their respective spouses after getting married (The Eye of Jupiter)

Homosexuality

While some fans have tried to identify Felix Gaeta's orientation as being homosexual — notably with the Season 3 gag reel where Alessandro Juliani attempts to "hit" on a marine protecting James Callis' Gaius Baltar — homosexuality had not been formally introduced in the Colonial way of life prior to "Razor", with the revelation that Helena Cain and Gina Inviere were engaged in a lesbian relationship.

The revelation of the Cain-Inviere relationship does not seem to surprise Pegasus personnel seen in "Razor". Kendra Shaw is slightly shocked, but more due to the surprise that Cain was dependent on anyone. Jurgen Belzen and Jack Fisk do not seem to be at all fazed or uncomfortable with this relationship during the formal dinner after the Fall of the Scorpion Fleet Shipyards. Therefore, this is in keeping with writer Michael Taylor's comments that "the point about Cain’s and Gina’s relationship is that the fact that they had a same-sex relationship was no big deal".

Three waking up from a disturbing dream after having spent a night with Baltar and Six (Hero).

Bisexuality

Bisexuality has not been seen until "Hero", with the culmination of a ménage à trois between Caprica Six, Number Three, and Gaius Baltar. It is uncertain how this is viewed in Colonial society, but since it is apparent that the Cylons model their behavior after their human creators, it is more than likely that sexual acts involving multiple partners is derived from Colonials.

Also, Gina Inviere can be considered bisexual due to her involvement with both Helena Cain and Gaius Baltar (at different times), though her relationship with Baltar is marred by the psychological effects of Inviere having been gang-raped on Pegasus.

Other notes

• The religious controversy surrounding Rya Kibby's abortion suggest that the Colonial faith (or the Gemenese interpretation thereof) contains doctrine pertaining to sexuality, possibly in a similar fashion to many real world religions (The Captain's Hand).

• The presence of child prostitution under Phelan's black market indicates the presence of pedophilia within Colonial society. The practice of child prostitution is viewed with loathing disdain by Colonials such as Lee Adama, who ultimately kills Phelan after discovering this practice aboard Prometheus (Black Market).

• Prostitution is legal in Colonial society, with consenting adult women such as Shevon offering their services to adult men such as Lee Adama (Black Market).

• In addition, the Colonials have pornographic material like Nymph (Scar), although it is uncertain whether or not pornography is viewed in the same controversial light as it is in America and some other cultures.