Sexuality In many culture s , sexuality was the physiological or emotion al drive responsible for physical attachments stemming either from a biological or societal need to bond with a mate . This adaptation primarily facilitated sexual reproduction , however , even those attracted that could not or did not reproduce still had a deep - seated need for the kind of satisfaction a mate provided . In many cases , the ties contributed to causing permanent or long - lasting sex ual relationships , which could be monogamous or polygamous . Some species , like Vulcan s , had a telepathic bond which formed between mates . ( ) Many species had complex interactions ( see mating ritual s ) and communications involved in approving or rejecting a potential mate . Chemical adaptations such as attractive pheromone s or biochemical bonds were also evolved by some lifeform s , such as Orion s and Varro . ( ; ) Deltan s were also known to project a strong sexual presence even without physical contact , which might have included pheromones and some subconscious telepathic elements . The effects were sufficiently strong as to influence other species . ( ) This drive could also lead individuals to enter a relationship or mate for reasons of satisfaction or emotional fulfillment rather than procreation . Individuals of many species were also known to enter into homosexual relationships . Many individuals encountered in the mirror universe were known to seek out homosexual attachments . ( ) While Beverly Crusher ended her relationship with Odan in female form and Jadzia Dax ended her relationship with Lenara Kahn , the reasons given were not due to sexual preference . Crusher cited the changing of host bodies and Dax ' s reason was the taboo act of reassociation . ( ; ) The Doctor had to upload his program to Seven of Nine , effectively taking over her body and being in full control of it . Seven of Nine was mentally aware of The Doctor becoming sexually aroused in her body while being massaged by Doctor Jaryn . ( ) Some cultures , such as the J ' naii , were known to enforce law s prohibiting the occurrence of sexual acts considered deviant by the majority of the population . In their case , any individual who adopted a gender was given psychotectic treatment s to restore them to the species ' androgynous norm . ( ) Soong - type android s were considered to be " " fully functional " " in terms of sexuality and were programmed with multiple sexual techniques . ( ; ) In the Federation , contraception injection s were available to those who wished to engage in sexual acts without this causing reproduction . ( ; ) In 2369 , Arbazan Ambassador Taxco called the holosuite programs " disgusting Ferengi sex programs " . ( ) Until 2373 , the had never mated before , as they felt that they were " way beyond sex . " Nevertheless , Q and the female Q mated , producing a son nicknamed Junior . ( ) In the 24th century , Starfleet personnel apparently required permission from a CMO and their commanding officer s to engage in sexual relations with members of alien species , although this formality was only shown being observed once on board . ( ) Nevertheless , its breach was the basis for a reprimand being entered into Harry Kim ' s permanent record . When Kathryn Janeway informed Kim of the reprimand , she indicated that the regulations on inter - species sexual contact were " three centimeters thick . " ( ) In the 24th century , gender - reassignment surgery , otherwise known as a sex change , was known to be performed . In 2374 , Dr . Bashir performed such surgery on Quark with no complications or special preparations mentioned . The surgery performed on Quark was more than mere facial cosmetics : Bashir injected female hormones into Quark , and , eventually , Quark removed his clothing to prove that he was a " real " female . The onlooking businessman noted that Quark looked like a female , indicating that Bashir had made physical changes to the chest and / or genital areas of Quark ' s body . ( ) The Doctor made an addition to his program for the purpose of sex . ( ) Appendices . Background information . A cut line in had the self - proclaimed philosopher Alixus claim that she had a lot to say about sexuality , which she believed would shock someone as repressed as Benjamin Sisko seemed to her . This apparently included the acceptability of sexual procurement . Homosexuality in " Star Trek " . George Takei recalled that during the production of he had asked creator Gene Roddenberry why there were no gay or lesbian characters in the series . According to Takei , " " He said ' I ' m treading a fine tight wire here . I ' m dealing with issues of the time . I ' m dealing with the civil rights movement , the Vietnam War , the Cold War , and I need to be able to make that statement by staying on the air . ' He said , ' If I dealt with that issue I wouldn ' t be able to deal with any issue because I would be canceled . " ' " Ronald D . Moore during the production of Season 6 of stated that the show was not interested in stories about homosexuality , or revealing any main character as bi or gay , because it would not really be an issue to them , and so " exploring " it did not hold much promise . He did not disagree that maybe the show " should " do stories in this vein , but felt that he was more passionate about other issues and therefore should write about that . Actors such as Patrick Stewart , Kate Mulgrew , and Scott Bakula were also quoted in magazines stating their interests in seeing openly homosexual characters . It was not until that a regular character was depicted as openly gay . In that year , was released and depicted as having a husband , . The following year , premiered , with series regular Paul Stamets in a relationship with the recurring character of Hugh Culber . In relation to Stamets , Bryan Fuller commented , " Star Trek " started with a wonderful expression of diversity in its cast . . . we ' re continuing that tradition . " "