Republicans and sex.
The two rarely seem to belong together, save for recent
Congressional scandals.
After all, a common conception of Republicans is that
they’re a rather prudish group. For many, particularly on the
West Coast, the title brings to mind a vehemently religious type
who is undoubtedly waiting for marriage.
Even in the context of marriage, “Republican” hardly
evokes thoughts of a vigorous and varied sex life, Bob Dole’s
plugs for Viagra notwithstanding.
While this characterization certainly describes an active and
much-publicized segment of the conservative population, it does not
reflect the diversity ““ and promiscuity ““ of many of
its members.
During my involvement with conservative groups on campus, I have
encountered several of the abstinent types, many of whom are not
the least bit shy discussing it.
Lila Rose, a second-year political science and philosophy
student and an active member of the Bruin Republicans, said she
notices this trend and is proud of this generalization.
“By saving sex for marriage, they value the sexual
experience more because they want to refine their sexual experience
to one person in order value and better protect them,” Rose
said.
Rose views this as a positive trait in others. “The most
sexy people are those who value sex enough to save it for just one
person,” she said.
There are apparently enough sexually active Republicans in order
to inspire the Facebook group “I would never fuck a
Republican.”
The group’s description states that while there are plenty
of sexy Republicans, its members’ consciences prevent them
from bedding their pro-elephant peers.
Looking through the Facebook pictures of the members, I feel
comfortable saying that the feeling is mostly mutual.
During my involvement with the Bruin Republicans, particularly
in past years, I did see a significant amount of
“clubcest,” or hooking up between club members.
While at the conservative Young America’s Foundation
conference earlier this month in Santa Barbara, I saw this
firsthand.
I was standing in line for a book signing by talk-show host
Larry Elder when I saw a female college student call another
attendee on her cell phone.
“Wanna play?” she asked.
Moments later a guy rushed over, and the two walked off to a
hotel room.
Her friend explained that they had just met the previous
evening, hours before a romp on the beach.
While there are those who claim Republicans are sexually
repressed, there is some evidence to the contrary.
According to a 2004 ABC poll, Republicans enjoy sex more than
Democrats.
Fifty-six percent of Republicans versus 47 percent of Democrats
reported that they were “very satisfied” with their sex
lives.
Additionally, more Democrats than Republicans reported that they
had faked orgasms with a partner ““ 33 and 26 percent,
respectively.
This may, however, have something to do with the fact that women
make up a larger share of Democrats, and that us guys are less
likely to fake it in bed.
Because most polls of political groups concern themselves with
more inane questions concerning voting behavior, there aren’t
many statistics available about the difference in promiscuity
between the two parties.
But anecdotal evidence seems to support the claim that many of
the people who seem to be married to Jesus aren’t opposed to
making it an open relationship on weekends.
I know a staunchly conservative Republican girl who has had
threesomes with two guys.
I even knew a religious Republican who had a fling with what
seemed like most of the members of a particular fraternity.
Membership in certain political groups or political affiliation
isn’t necessarily a predictor of extracurricular ““ or
under-the-covers ““ behavior.
It’s no surprise that some social conservatives tend to
be, well, socially conservative.
Libertarians ““ the social conservative’s more
permissive, libertine cousin ““ often make up for much of the
action foregone.
But even among the party faithful, don’t assume that
they’re not re-enacting the invasion of Normandy, or ““
depending on their partner’s political party affiliation
““ the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress, behind closed
doors.
Share your fondest Republican sex stories with Lazar at
dlazar@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.