Does this lifestyle say anything about sexual activity or is it more oriented towards "drugs, alcohol, and tobacco"?
This is where things can become hazy, because there are different interpretations, or rather, degrees of the Straight Edge lifestyle. What I have always stated (no drugs, alcohol, or tobacco) is the bare minimum, and it serves as the foundation of all the variations. To be clear, there are not different denominations; everyone is just labeled as "Straight Edge."
To begin with, I will answer the posed question. Sexual activity, to some Edgies, is completely okay. However, to others it is not. When the sexual activity can be considered promiscuous, it violates the lifestyle. When we consider the pursuit of the "clear body and mind", it becomes clear why this type of sexual activity is considered bad. The likelihood of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease is increased, making the behavior destructive.
There are even dietary rules that some Edgies will incorporate as part of their Straight Edge lifestyle.
Caffeine is everywhere these days. It can be considered a drug if examined very closely (at least that is what my high school nurse always told us). When one consumes this substance, it has an affect on their body, causing a excited state that later comes down. This is exactly what Edgies try to avoid, which is being in an impaired (even if it is very slight) state.
Another dietary standard some Edgies embrace is that of Vegetarianism/Veganism. The best connection I am able to make with these diets and the Straight Edge lifestyle goes with the concept of the "clear mind." Watching a video produced by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals such as "Meet your Meat" can make someone feel really guilty about eating meat. This guilt can stand in the way of having a "clear mind", so adopting one of these diets will make the Edgie feel less of this guilt. This explanation is only a theory, and I would like to believe that having these diets goes more beyond a trend. What do you think?
