Another Introductory Article on Polyamory

Julie Eng talks with Dan Davidson and some poly people in California, and tries to explain all of the standard introductory information about polyamory that people who still haven’t heard the term might want to know.

In recent years these numbers have received significant media attention — notably, Newsweek described polyamory as “the next sexual revolution.” Poly books such as “The Ethical Slut,” by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt, have achieved mainstream success, bringing new faces to poly community groups in large cities throughout the country. As polls show younger generations growing more accepting of all lifestyles and non-hetero-normative relationships are in and out of federal courtrooms, polyamory is becoming more high-profile.

It’s going to get bigger. A lot bigger.

The poly community has received some negative attention. Conservative groups like Focus on the Family have publicly denounced polyamory as immoral, and a threat to the current federal marriage laws. A pamphlet released by the Family Research Council describes a polyamorous home as “a frat house with revolving doors.”

Most polyamorous situations are much more serious than that, with many people practicing long-term polifidelity. But wether someone practices polyfidelity with two spouses for life, or they are simply nonmonogamous (which includes much more than polyamory) and do have a revolving door of sexual partners, it is nobody else’s business and it shouldn’t be illegal.

Publications on the Family Research Council website warn that “the rising polyamorous culture is out to get your children.”

Most poly people, if they want children, have made or will be making their own, thank you. There are poly people who will be happy to adopt children who were made by those “monogamous” people who can’t care for them.

Stigmas like this drive many poly people to keep their relationships relatively private.

Stigmas like that shouldn’t be around anymore. Let consenting adults have their own love and marital lives without trying to tell them what to do and what not to do.

The roots of polyamory, originally referred to as “responsible” or “ethical” non-monogamy, can be traced back to the 19th century.

It can probably be traced back further than monogamy.

It’s a long article. It might be helpful to send to someone who wants to know more about polyamory. And the more people who do know, the better, because it will most us that much faster towards the polygamous freedom to marry.