In the Republic of Elan, sexuality and gender identities are as vast as the landscape, and are widely accepted. In earlier days, people often identified in a variety of different ways, but universal labels to define their experiences proved elusive. However, as cities and communities grew larger and society became more connected, people have found kinship in those who identify similarly to one another. Currently, when discussing the subject, it is common for people to label themselves along a spectrum. Each day it seems more and more terms are invented to describe an individual’s experience along this spectrum.
Though labels for the spectrum have been widely discussed throughout the Provinces, some find no interest in them. Their behaviors or experiences are nebulous, individual, and fit no labels - this, too, is widely accepted. Still, going without a label has become widespread and common enough that prominent figures within the social and political landscape have taken up some of these new terms to describe themselves publicly.
Especially prominent in Elan is the support of the Church. Many religious officials praise the spectrum of experience as one of God's many gifts. Each relationship with one's body and with each other is seen as a way of celebrating the Divine’s Creation. Some preachers even say that those whose spectrum encompasses all are closer to God. Prominent minister of the High Church Carlisle Putnam famously preached, “As God created all, so too did They create us so that we may become, during our lives, Perfectly Ourselves. There is no spectrum in which God does not dwell, nor any changes one makes to one's body that can affront God. What matters most entirely is the soul. As this world’s geography varies from tallest mountain to deepest river, so too do our sacred bodies exist in the Divine Spectrum. The ocean compared to the mountains is not greater, nor are the plains more godly than the forest; no one body or spirit is greater than the other. All were, and are, created equal in Their greatness. Thus our bodies and our relationship with them are not simply one thing, but all things that exist in the light. Their gift of all the ways we can love does show us that love must be given to all who are of Them.”
Marriage is held as one of the most important cornerstones to the society of Elan, said to be the bedrock communities are based on. Often still framed as a contract, marriage acts as a bridge between two families to bring their goals and wealth together. Rather than being focused on aspects of physical or emotional intimacy, the greater goal of marriage is to connect families and serve society
Heirs of wealthy families are constantly pressured to join these unions and to either produce or adopt children, regardless of whether the parents are attracted to one another. As one socialite matriarch put it, “As long as the fortunes stay in the right hands, all is well.” The Huxleyans have a similar saying: “The coin lies closer to the hand than the ring.” For the purpose of preserving bloodlines and simplifying inheritance, marriages for the upper class often are only between two people.
For those lower class, marriage is can have many uses: social mobility, easing burdens, healing feuds, companionship - the list goes on and on. However, in all classes, marriage for the sake of love is rare. That might come to those later who are lucky enough. Polygamy is also more common the lower classes. Combining more families and more resources is, to some, regarded as a more strategic outcome. For this reason, inheritances are usually bestowed based on birth order, not who belongs to which spouse.
With the decriminalization of sex work in 1885, Elan has become a home to a robust intimacy industry. Sex workers of all genders have found success working with those who are lonely, those who want for companionship, or those whose marriages leave their partners longing for more. While many workers come from lives where they had few opportunities, some simply join the trade because of their skill. A fair few come from backgrounds of means and see an easy way of expanding their profit or social reach. Those who find success in the field move beyond merely physically satisfying customers and move into crafting and maintaining long-term relationships with their clients by creating a work “persona” meant to give an individual client exactly what they long for in a companion.
As sex workers achieve greater popularity, they enjoy the ability to be more selective with time and clients - and greater prices. Many former sex workers have become quite wealthy - wealthy enough to own their own brothels, become exclusive courtesans, or leave the industry all together. Many are credited with bringing luxuries to their hometowns, such as electricity, schools, and indoor plumbing. Such a level of financial security affords some the chance to influence politics. There is still a social taboo around sex work, but the industry continues to flourish and thrive despite the protests of individuals, communities, and some members of the Church