The issue of the true nature of the Xena\/Gabrielle relationship caused intense ` shipping ' debates in Xena fandom , which turned especially impassioned due to spillover from real-life debates about same-sex sexuality and gay rights .
The issue of the true nature of the Xena\/Gabrielle relationship caused intense debates in the fandom , which turned especially impassioned due to spillover from real-life debates about same-sex sexuality and gay rights .