Is Inara Gay?
POSTED BY: zoid
UPDATED: Saturday, December 11, 2004 17:11
VIEWED: 13543
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Don't get too hung up in a Judeo-Christian mindset when you are thinking about these sexual 'definitions'. There is a world of difference between the gender you are willing to have sexual contact with and the gender you are capable of falling in love with. Who you are emotionally attracted to defines whether you are gay or straight.
And don't forget that this is a future world where Eastern thought and religions would have shaped many people's attitudes.
With that being said I do not think Inara is a lesbian. She obviously has a thing for Mal. (When I first saw the show, I thought they were a former couple who had that hostile/sexual tension thing going on.)I just think that Inara is open to pretty much whatever when it comes to sex.
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Inara tells all her clients that they're special!--that's an important part of the service she's selling.
I've pretty much come to the conclusion that to become a Companion, you have to like money a whole bunch but sex isn't very important to you. Inara has to be able to make all her clients feel that they got their (lots of) moneys' worth, but that doesn't mean that the encounter (with a man *or* a woman) meant much of anything to her.
Then again, she could be leaving because she's so desperately in love with Zoe but she knows Zoe will never leave Wash...
No touching release dates!
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It depends. She took one female client but we don't know if she did it because she is attracted towomen or if she did it because it's a part of her job. If she likes both men and women, she's bisexual.
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Hi all! New here, glad to be a part of this group that supports some AMAZING talents and a terrific show. :)
In response to the Inara thing...I have to say, I don't think she's really gay or straight. Someone else said this, too, and I have to agree...Inara is a Companion to people who need her services, and are compatible. Gender doesn't really come into it. I think it's easier for women than men to avoid compartmentalizing like that, and easier for Companions than for anyone. Granted, the comment about only taking special women does create questions as to why, but I think Inara seperates her work from her relationships carefully. While her work as a Companion isn't just "whoring" it's also not a long term relationship, and I think no one knows that better than she does.
All right, well, I don't think I explained it very well, but suffice it to say, I think Inara loves Mal (much like the rest of us) and that her love is not gender specific. Here's a thought. Maybe the reason she found the Councelor "compatible" was because she was a woman with both a strong sense of right and the ability to use her power without abusing it. This is something I think Inara also admires and loves in Mal, as much as it annoys her.
As for the theory that she's in love with Kaylee...I see that more as a sibling relationship. Kaylee is very awed by her, and Inara has a desire to care for and protect Kaylee.
Shealynn
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Zoid,
Keep in mind (a Jefe-ism) that all men are space-pigs--in the future. As opposed to what they are NOW, of course. Also, I just don't get that lesbian vibe from Inara. She just looks so longingly at my Mal. Hey! Maybe Joss will turn her gay so I can have Mal all to myself!
Mal-licious
Co-Holder of the Red Bell from Hell
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Zoid, no. Inara is not gay, not exclusively lesbian, that is. She might be bisexual.
The fact that she is CLEARLY in love with Mal cannot be denied.
Mal-licious, the fact that Mal is in love with Inara ALSO cannot be denied. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you'll just have to settle for someone else.
* The Real Me waves a sign above his head that has a big arrow pointing down at him. *
The Real Me
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It looks like everyone's covered everything in HoG.
Oh, let's not forget in Shindig, Inara is considering an offer to be exclusive to Atherton. She even tries to "buy" Mal's life with that offer in the sword fight.
Zoid, you're just stirring up a hornet's nest aren't ya? So many posts in a day, most to Inara's defense? Does her character bring chivalrous desire out of everyone?
Keeper of Jayne's goggles. 8)
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Wandering off-topic here. I just wanted to say that I love Inara. She's a beautiful, successful and strong woman/character...yet she's so likeable.
A lot of Buffy fans, don't like Buffy as a character. I can see quite a few parallells between Buffy and Inara. But I bet a lot more Firefly fans love Inara than Buffy fans love Buffy....
....if that made any sense.
PsychicRiver
"Two by two, hands of blue." 
"We can take care of each other. I'll knit!"
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I think she is bi. I think she really cares about Mal and her affections are for him. But when it comes to sex, she will go either way.
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