User blog comment:Bronzey/Massively effected: game design in Mass Effect 2 and a conflict of interests/@comment-1293425-20100416163120

I didn't say forcing Shepard to be heterosexual is realistic. And I wouldn't say BioWare is forcing Shepard to be heterosexual, either. You can be homosexual without the oppurtunity to be in a homosexual relationship.

This likely would be more of an issue for me if I was homosexual, but I'm not. Rather, I'm one of those religious types who views homosexual acts as sinful (no more sinful than any other sin, mind you). So personally I'm more comfortable with the game devoid of homosexuality. However, I must say I disagree with the reason BioWare cites for restricting homosexuality- so as to not be controversial. I mean, part of the point of the game is that you can do morally reprehensive things. Plenty of people play through Renegade doing things they would never do in real life. It has to do with Western culture, really. Games and movies can have all the violence, gore, and profanity they like, but when things start to get steamy, controversy abounds with conservative watchdogs pouncing.

If Shepard could be in a openly gay or lesbian relationship, I would not have much of a problem with it. As it stands now, I still don't have a problem with it. Romance is only one part of many in the game.