Once upon a time society associated biological with gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. This is our traditional model of male as man as masculine and attracted to women. However, we all know that this no longer is completely applicable to a society such as ours today – which brings us to the inclusive model. With so many different combinations between sex, identity, expression, and orientation, our generation sees sexuality in a completely new, different light. Sexuality continuously is evolving. Beginning in 1879, “sexuality” first appeared in the dictionary, leading to “heterosexual” and “homosexual” in 1892. From there on, many new types of sexualities were being defined for society.

The change from our traditional model to the inclusive model of defining sexuality has made me realize that sexuality was much more black and white in the past. Right now, we are seeing sexuality evolve in to many different shades of grey. Queer movements are popping up across the nation causing fiery political debates, riots, parades, and so on. What was once unacceptable in society is rising, as is all types of sexuality. I find that the concept of sexuality is becoming more acceptable to younger and younger generations. I think MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” has really shown us this.

Emory in the late 19th certainly had a much more restrictive environment. In “A Brief History” by Gary S. Hauk, “The catalogue of 1891-92 banned students from attending any ball, theatre, horse-race or cock-fight; from using intoxicating drinks; from playing cards; from playing at any game for stakes; from keeping fire-arms or any deadly weapon, a horse, a dog, or a servant; from engaging in anything forbidden by the Faculty; from associating with persons of known bad character; from visiting Covington or other near points beyond the limits of Oxford without permission of some member of the Faculty, and from visiting points more distant without written permission from parents or guardians and the permission of the President of the College; from visiting any place of ill-repute, or at which gaming is practiced, or intoxicating liquors are sold; from engaging in any ‘match game,’ or ‘intercollegiate’ game of football, baseball, whatsoever.” Certainly now, the gentlemen of our fine fraternities are visiting places where intoxicating liquors are sold, and our athletes are engaging in match games of intercollegiate sports. The fact that Emory’s environment has become so much less restrictive, the idea of sexuality at Emory has also become less restrictive. Emory’s LGBT club announces on their current about page that “the mission of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life is to engage the university community in the creation of an affirming and just campus environment while supporting the development of students of all gender and sexual identities.” The black-and-white view of sexuality has transformed and developed at Emory to include all those that struggled to fit on the traditional model of sexuality.

Society struggles to accept new types of people, especially when it comes to a different type of sexuality. I think our generation is the new generation of an evolving sense of sexuality. Perhaps, our generation will learn not to accept the traditional model as normal – rather, accept that there are many different kinds of identity and expression, that orientation isn’t necessarily engrained in us.