This is tangentially related to this discussion, but I guess I should mention that when it comes to sexuality Varyan society is hardcore conservative. Queerness in any form, be it gender fluidity or any sexual preference outside the cultural "norm" of heterosexuality, is not openly allowed and sexual and gender minorities are persecuted, especially in the Church. The other nations, old Omestris in particular, hold a much more progressive view towards sexuality.

This doesn't mean that our characters can't be LGBT (in fact, there are a few queer characters I've introduced already), but yeah, it's just one more thing they'll need to hide from the Church.