What are the motifs in The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice?

Homosexual erotica is presented repeatedly throughout this novel. It is actually more common than heterosexual erotica. When Laurent reminisces about life in the Village, he refers to the Punishment Cross and describes the phallus that was inserted in his anus. He also mentions the soldier that provides him with a village girl for sex. As Laurent is having sex with the village girl, the soldier kisses him. Laurent's encounters with Lexius are homoerotic since they are between two men. This theme is repeated in the Garden of Male Delights, in the Sultan's room, in the pony stables and at Nicolas' house.