Random musings

Ok, so I never post anything. I figured maybe I could put up a blog post on my thoughts on various things. This is all stream of conscious so apologies if its rambly. If I can bring myself to post it.
One of the things that I find interesting is sex and sexuality in the MLP setting (I’m not talking about clop fics, as I don’t read those). This seems to be popular because most of the folks writing and reading fan-fiction are adults/young adults and it's one of the things that we think about. Sexual identity and preference are some of the defining traits for everyone and it’s only natural we examine those things in what we read and write.
Due to the nature of MLP:FIM this is subject that will likely never be addressed in the show. Sexual identity is purely binary and intimate relationships are monogamous heterosexual in order to satisfy the folks at Hasbro that actually pay for the show. This is fine; they are entitled to do that. It doesn't reflect real life nor do I feel that it is reflected in the reality of the setting. In the official canon setting it is mentioned and intimated often that Ponies are descended from herd animals. Tribe, aka herd, is therefore very important. So why do we not see more of the herd culture in the show? Because it would mean that polygamy would be the more common form of intimate relationship and homosexual relations, even multiple party, would not be uncommon.
It is my personal opinion that over time the Ponies have developed certain social mores that make casual relationships less likely and personal preference and relationships much more private. So we’re just not seeing the reality that is in the background.
On the topic of non-binary sexual identity, I think the closest the show comes to approaching it are Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and possibly Spike. Everyone else seems very well defined in their gender. Fluttershy is about as androgynous as pony could get. Rainbow Dash is masculine with a feminine side that shows occasionally. Spike is fairly balanced in his apparent identity with a slow growth towards the masculine side. The fact that this never comes up is likely due to the fact that Ponies accept these sorts of things as purely natural and do not see non-binary sexual identity as anything out of the ordinary or unnatural.
Sexual preference is a little harder to define in the show but for the most part everyone is either asexual or heterosexual. I think it is probably broader than that. Twilight and Pinkie are likely pan-sexual, having no preference in sexual identity or their partner’s species. Twilight would be very deliberate in her choice of partners and likely be interested only in long-term relationships. I think it likely that her relationships would be multi-partner and she would encourage equality between all the members.
Pinkie Pie on the other hoof would probably have many short liaisons and be very up front about the fact that she is more interested in making people feel better than seeking a long term relationship. That doesn’t mean she couldn’t have a long term relationship, only that it would need to be a very open one.
Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Apple Jack have thus far been shown as fairly asexual. Rainbow is likely to only be interested in someone who is on par with her physically but I don’t think she would limit herself to any one sex. Once she is in a relationship it will be long term or very casual with repeating encounters.
Fluttershy is aromantic as well as asexual. She would likely use sex as an aid to healing if she believed it would help but she would have no real interest in seeking out a relationship.
Apple Jack is the one of these three that is most likely to pursue a relationship. Currently she’s not interested because she hasn’t really thought about it and doesn’t have the time to devote to it. When the time comes she’ll find herself a stallion to continue the family line because it’s traditional and what she expects of herself. I think if she let herself relax her traditional stance she’d be comfortable in a multiple or homosexual relationship. A multiple partnership would be likely if it were to help support the farm.
Rarity and Spike are the ones we know show a strong heterosexual tendency. The only way I see Rarity changing her preference is if it’s the only way she can advance socially. Spike is young enough that he’s probably flexible when he isn’t smitten.
And just a quick note to end this one. I think interspecies relationships would be rare enough to be novel but not something that was seen as abnormal or forbidden.