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.