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Disclaimer: Given how little info we get on this topic a lot of this is speculative. This is more similar to a theory than an essay. As such you may disagree with my interpretation, that’s fine. Discussion and disagreement is how we create new and better ideas. If you have a different way you think the Netherworld works please share.
So this manga is pretty gay… right? I mean its certainly not shied away from it in any regard but at a second glace (or third/fourth if you are me. I’ve read this manga too many times) the information we get seems to be confusing and somewhat vague. Luckily we can use other less direct pieces of information about the Netherworld and it’s society to kind of piece together how queerness is viewed in this world.
One of the first and most direct in-your-face mentions of queerness in the series is chapter 185 in which Gyari outright proposes to Keroli. Iruma, probably not used to such blatant shows of gayness, (‘cause—and I don’t know if you guys know this but—in the human world people can be kind of homophobic) questions why Gyari wants to marry another girl, she answers plainly. “Hey hey! Gender doesn’t matter to demons, that’s nonsense! You gotta love what you love, right?” This statement is quite interesting. Because if homophobia or hetero-typical thoughts and ideals didn’t really exist in the Netherworld it wouldn’t warrant a response like that. The fact that she doesn’t respond with confusion at the idea that Iruma would even question the fact they are both girls implies that this is not a wholly unusual thing. But, she says that gender “doesn’t” matter to demons, not that it *shouldn’t* but that it *doesn’t*, meaning that for a majority of demons same-sex attraction is not viewed as wrong.
That makes sense given what we know about the Netherworld. Allowing someone to dictate who you like and who you are runs counter to the philosophy of demonkind. Demons are greedy, encouraged by the society they live in to take what they want when they want it. Not pursuing someone you love because someone says its “wrong” is the antithesis to what the manga has been saying since damn near the beginning.
It is a strength based society. If you are rank Yodh (10) for example, who the hell cares if you like the same gender or want to refer to yourself by different pronouns then you used to. That’s why Poro can be so flamboyant and gender ambiguous without so much as an odd look from others. They are a powerful ex-member of the 13 Crowns they could crush the average demon with little effort so why would the average demon even consider questioning the presentation or attraction of someone so much more powerful than them? (this would be queen behavior if they didn’t flirt with Sabro like 3 times. Stop for the love of god, Poro that’s a child! You’re a pedophile!)
So if being anti-queer doesn’t line up with what we know with Netherworld culture than why does Gyari’s previously mentioned quote imply the existence of homophobia at all? If being gender nonconforming is okay (as no one seems to care much about Iruma’s whole gender-bent alter ego) why do some apparently draw the line at homosexuality? There's not religion in the netherworld that we see so I wouldn't think that would the reason. So what gives? Well I think I’ve got an idea—bloodline abilities.
Because strength is so highly valued in the Netherworld the strongest people sit at the top. One of the most common ways to become stronger is to utilize your bloodline ability. By virtue of this we can infer that the most powerful family are typically the ones with the strongest bloodline abilities (we honestly don’t even need to infer we get to see the inside of many of these strong bloodline users homes. The Asmodeus’s, Azazel’s, Sabnock’s, Zepar’s, etc. The way they live and dress clearly imply that they are quite affluent. The only exception I can think of is the Valac bloodline who have—in my opinion—one of the strongest bloodline abilities. To be fair though the Valac’s could be an essay in and of itself.) So prioritizing the continuation of a bloodline ability could be a reason for encouraging heterosexual relationships its the only way to bring about a child and keep the strength of the clan alive (I’m assuming here because we don’t know how demon reproduction works but they seem similar enough to humans in most other regards so I haven’t any reason to assume is would differ very much). This would also explain why it’s not very common. It would be an ideal that only exists in aristocratic families who’s strength is in part reliant on their bloodline abilities. Which would be the minority of the population.
So that’s the gist. No one really gives a shit. Sticking to your guns, being true to who you are and what you like is a demon’s whole thing. Homophobia is uncommon and is less of a “that’s unnatural” kinda thing and more like “you have a duty to your family” sorta thing. I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s some kind of like side panel in a spin-off series I’ve yet to read that disproves all of this, but research be dammed I wanted to write something!