Upcoming Gadfly Panel: Sex and Relationships

Next Thursday night, the Gadfly Society will host a panel discussion on sex and relationships.  The discussion will include insights from Professors Kristina LaCelle-Peterson, religion; Michael Lastoria, psychology; Ben Lipscomb, philosophy; and Michael Walters, Christian ministries; and senior Elisa Shearer.  Gadfly member Alicia Gardner, junior, stated that the rationale for holding this event was the fact that "sexuality and relationships is something that we deal with as young adults, and have a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to meshing dating relationships/sexuality, our faith, and the authoritative guidelines or ideals."

Gardner added, "we are hoping to accomplish a promotion of healthy discussion on said topics, and a place to face these difficult and unanswered questions."  According to the Gadfly leadership, the shift in topic from simply relationships to relationships and sex was a result of the three-part series on sex in the Star last semester.  President Zeke Mientkiewicz, senior, stated that "we wanted to have a discussion about sexuality, because after reading the Star articles, especially Elisa's we realized that this is a topic that isn't discussed as much as it could and should be on campus."

Shearer said, "I'm glad that Gadfly was able to get such an esteemed group of professors, and I'm excited that discussion is continuing -- hooray for public discourse!"

Mientkiewicz added that "several of the organizers felt that the Houghton community guided its students merely by outlining certain unacceptable behaviors and that many conversations concerning relationships, the reason for our morals, and the appropriateness (or lack thereof) of behaviors between hand-holding and actual intercourse were neglected."

Lastoria, who recently published an in-depth study of Christian college students and sex, stated that there are two broad topics that will be discussed.  "The first has to do with principles for building a relationship, including identifying a person you can live with long term.  The second has to do with sexual behavior and basically asks ‘if sexual intercourse is ‘out of bounds' is everything else out of bounds' and principles for sexual decision making."

When asked about his goals for the discussion, Mientkiewicz said that "I hope that we will have offered the Houghton community a chance to begin discussing its sexuality in a healthy and positive manner…I hope that this discussion will encourage the Houghton community room to discuss these matters in a kind and trusting environment."

The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. January 26 in Chamberlain room 125.  Refreshments will be provided.