Elysian have a rather complex belief system on the role of genders. For example they believe that male and female Elysians are equal and deserve all of the same rights. Legally speaking there is nothing which differentiates between men and women apart from a few niceties over pregnancy and maternity leave – although even this is rather limited. This is not to say that some Elysians do not regard women as second class citizens and who wish for their status as citizens to actually be revoked – but they are largely in the minority and the law does not support them.

However in other species Elysians are not so forgiving. Not only do they believe that all other races are inferior to them they also believe that the females of such races are inferior still to the males. This leads to a rather complicated scale of inferiority, but largely means that even while thinking that other races probably don’t deserve particularly good treatment or rights, their women deserve less. They should know their place within their society. This leads to the practice amongst Elysians do use alien women as little more than sex slaves, and also explains the particular affront which many Elysians find in Nekovalkyrja.

How this came about is a rather ill understood process, linked to a female suffrage a few centuries in the past granting Elysian women equal rights but not taking the logical jump as to applying to other races as well. As for as Elysians are concerned they are different species after all.

On the topic of gender however it is seen as disgraceful for a man to act in a particularly feminine fashion, or for a woman to act like a man. Women can be strong and decisive, indeed can rise to the top of the military system (none have yet, but that’s not the point), but must not seem as if they are actually trying to be men. Transvestism is detested while transgenderism is cured with a body swap (if they are wealthy enough to afford it).

In Elysian society homosexuality is seen very nearly on the same footing as heterosexuality. The only advantage heterosexuality has in the eyes of Elysians is that it can produce young. There is no shame inherent in being gay or lesbian. However there is a certain amount of shame in being the submissive half of a male homosexual relationship.

Sexually Elysians are rather liberal. They accept most things, although bondage is occasionally frowned upon as being overly submissive. Some practices which are particularly repulsive are not outwardly condemned on the understanding that it will be limited to a private place and not be flaunted overly much. However they do have the belief that once in marriage you may not have sexual relations with another Elysian. You can however with a non-Elysian, since they don't count (this view is starting to go out of style though, with their reintegration into the Yamataian Empire).