I vaguely remember reading an interview with Kevin Smith, where he talked about how he wrote gay characters or at least talking about homosexuality into nearly everything. In Dogma, for example, Bethany's friend asks if she's considered going lesbian, and Rufus' revelation about Jay puts Jay's sexuality into question. In Kevin's Green Arrow story arc, there's a prominent gay character (who turns out to not actually be gay). I'm sure there are a hundred more examples.
Why does Smith do this? To make a statement? No, I think it's just part of life in the 21st century, and it's something he incorporates instead of ignores.
Sure, he doesn't _need_ to write any gay characters or material into Star Wars. But I'd bet you dollars to donuts that he'd be forbidden to do so, and that even if he got this gig, they'd put a lot of restrictions on what he was allowed to write about. And that's unlikely to result in anything good. Action/adventure isn't Smith's strong point. He's proven he can do it, as in Green Arrow, but his best work is marked by character stuff and a willingness to explore taboo topics like sexuality and religion. He wouldn't be allowed to do that in Star Wars.
