As in any other militaristic society, the Rihannsu Star Empire and is inhabitants dislike the notion of things being "different". However, the Rihannsu are an adaptive people and have taken to understanding that homosexuality exists, if not fully understanding how or why. In fact, it is no longer at issue as to whether the cause for homosexuality is nature or nurture, it is merely a fact of life. In fact, it is a fairly large fact of life, with approximately 23% of the Empire's population preferring their own sex, or either sex. Of that 23%, 18% of the total population of the Empire is strictly homosexual, being 71% (or 12.78% of the total population) male and the balance, 8.41% of the total population, as female. These ratios are close to the same for the bisexual part of the Empire. Male homosexuals call themselves hai heis'he and the females call themselves hei heis'he.

While homosexuals are far from a majority, they comprise one of the more vocal minority groups on the Empire, especially on concerns of medical advances and legal issues that affect them. It is legal for a homosexual couple to adopt, so long as the relationship has a proven record of existence of more than three years, which is the same guideline for heterosexual couples. As all citizens of the Empire are required to serve in the military, regardless of preference, no harassment due to preference is allowed, under penalty of prison. The homosexual minority, which calls itself heise'he ann, which roughly translates to "lover of the same" and is literally translated as "bound in love".

One good thing for the heise'he ann is the almost complete lack of sexually transmitted diseases. The Rihannsu equivalent to AIDS (Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome) was systematically destroyed more than 500 years ago, just as the disease was causing massive problems for Terra. There are no more sexually transmitted diseases that can be transmitted from Rihannsu to Rihannsu, and if another species or type of humanoid is involved, the level of medical expertise in the Empire, aided in its advances at times by the Tal Shi'ar for torture methods, can cure or at least treat any problem that arises. Also, the chance of a disease of a sexual type being transmitted to or from another type of humanoid is rare and easily avoided by the use of prophylactic materials by both parties.

As the rest of the Empire, the heise'he ann, which stands for the group that represents the homosexuals of the Empire in courts and the seiHehllirh as well as homosexuals et al, privacy is cherished. It is not a wise notion to go to a Rihannsu that is attractive to you and ask if s/he is homosexual. It is not done, and could result in a rather discomforting (not only to you but also to those that watch) re-arrangement of your features and limbs. In plainer terms, if you have the nerve to ask, in front of several people, a large bouncer with a laser rifle if he "sucks dick", then your chances of remaining alive, or at least recognizable, are close to the same, nil. Don't do it. If, on the other hand, passes are made and you think the person may be attracted to you, ask politely and, most importantly of all, discretely, if the person is heise'he ann.