The Dragon Keeper "Controversial?" Hobb and sexuality. *Major Spoilers up to RWC!

[Nuytsia]

Hmm I guess this also belongs in this thread (although I thought there was a general discussion of attitudes towards sexuality in different places in some other thread but can't remember where!)

Anyhoo, I am still a little unclear on the attitude toward homosexuality in Bingtown in particular now.
In DH why is Sedric SO thick about realising Carson (and Davvie) are gay? It borders on the ridiculous. The only reasons I can think are (a) he just thinks it's really rare to find another gay man or (b) he's so naive he thinks all gay men are nicely dressed dandies like himself and Hest ???

Secondly, why is Alise so thick in realising Hest and Sedric are lovers? I mean her suspicions about that locket she finds under Sedric's pillows..!!!! How the heck could it not even OCCUR to her that the locket IS Sedric's? Again, is homosexuality SO rare (or more accurately probably, so hidden) in Bingtown that she just never even thinks of it?
Strangely, once Sedric tells her she doesn't seem THAT shocked really... well at first, but I think she is more shocked that she never realised rather than shocked they are gay.