"Not everybody" really is Mal. And I don't see anybody on the Serenity crew throwing a fuss over male(-to-male) Companions anyway... Jayne might make a remark, but that would be it. But the "sly" thing in itself shows that things still aren't all good and homophobia-free. "Sly" by opposition to "straight" makes sense, but it holds negative connotations. Sly isn't something good to be. "Gay" is about happiness, "sly" is about being dishonest.

Besides, writing-wise, it's more interesting if homophobia is still afoot. ;)

Come on. Good Champagne is always good.