Memorial Day Weekend

It is Memorial Day Weekend in the USA. Monday is a day that fallen military personnel are honored and remembered.

Some of our fallen were LGBT, some were poly. Some were consanguinamorous. Until somewhat recently, none of them could be open about who they were or who they loved without dire consequences; only some of our LGBT military personnel have been able to come out thanks to the end of DADT and the implementation of some protections. Yet along with the rest of their military brothers and sisters, they fought for freedom.

So please let freedom ring.

Someone should be able to serve no matter their sexual orientation or their relationships with consenting adults. And they should be able to have their marriages legalized, and certainly not punished for their relationship.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Today, May 17, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Regardless of someone's sex or gender identity, regardless of their sexual orientation, an adult should be free to be themselves, to be in public, to work, to be "single," or to share love, sex, residence, and marriage with any and all consenting adults, without fear of prosecution, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or any other negative effects of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, etc.

Let's stand up to hate, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, bullying, and unjust laws. Let's protect people from being abused by those who would perpetuate hate.

Journalist Looking for Ethically Non-Monogamous People

I was contacted by this journalist. I can't offer any assurances of how you'd be treated or portrayed. (Yes, this is same person who also asked for people who've experienced GSA.)

Read what she has to say for herself...

-Keith


*****

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry to post out of the blue like this, I hope you all don't mind. My name is Candice and I write for the national magazines and newspapers, such as Take A Break, Chat, Daily Mirror, That's Life and New to name a few here in the UK. I wondered if would be interested in speaking to me and sharing your story about being in a polygamous relationship or a polyamorous relationship.

We love doing these types of stories and showing society that we should celebrate love, no matter what!

I'd like to reassure you that I'd never publish your story without your permission and you would receive a full read back to ensure you were completely happy with how it sounded. I understand that talking to the media is probably the last thing on your mind regarding such a sensitive matter.

I really do not want to pressure you in to anything, and furthermore the last thing I wish is to offend you by writing. If you did feel that you could go ahead with an article at some point, I can assure you that everything would be handled with the utmost care and sensitivity. There would be no obligation for you to go ahead with an article if you had reservations after speaking with me.

If you were interested in speaking out, I think it's crucial that you work with someone you can trust. I would be happy to answer any question and address any concern. I appreciate that you may have some concerns about appearing in a feature, but I would like to assure you that it is our policy to always read back articles to the people we interview.

I would also never place your story in any publication without your full consent.

The national magazines do pay generously on publication which can either go to you or to a charity of your choice.

Your story would only be on the shelves for a week as well.

I think polygamy & polyamory is a very misunderstood taboo in society today and am really looking to break down those barriers and hopefully get people to understand more about it.

The aim of the article is to raise awareness and educate people on how you cannot confine love to just one person.

I am also happy to show you previous work I have done.

If you do think you would like to get back in touch with me then please contact me in confidence on 0121 551 1004 or 007706254066 or send an email to candice@hotspotmedia.co.uk Best wishes,

Candice

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, especially mothers who face discrimination, persecution, and even prosecution for loving one or more other adults, and the mothers who've stood by their children who've faced bigotry for being who they are and loving who they do.

We're making progress. Hang in there and continue to care for your loved ones.

If you have plans for an interesting Mother's Day or end up having an interesting Mother's Day and you think our readers will want to hear about it, do tell! Sons and daughters.... any special plans?

I include those who've "adopted" mother figures, especially if you've done so because your own mother is no longer with us or was not a supportive person. Almost all of us have a mother in our life, even if that mother isn't officially family.

Journalist Looking for People Who've Experienced GSA

I was contacted by this journalist. I can't offer any assurances of how you'd be treated or portrayed.

Read what she has to say for herself...
-Keith


*****




Hi everyone,

I'm sorry to post out of the blue like this, I hope you all don't mind.

My name is Candice and I write for the national magazines and newspapers, such as Take A Break, Chat, Daily Mirror, That's Life and New to name a few here in the UK.

I wondered if would be interested in speaking to me and sharing your story about genetic sexual attraction, whether it is something you have experienced or if you are in a relationship right now?

We love doing these types of stories and showing society that we should celebrate love, no matter what!

I'd like to reassure you that I'd never publish your story without your permission and you would receive a full read back to ensure you were completely happy with how it sounded.

I understand that talking to the media is probably the last thing on your mind regarding such a sensitive matter.

I really do not want to pressure you in to anything, and furthermore the last thing I wish is to offend you by writing. If you did feel that you could go ahead with an article at some point, I can assure you that everything would be handled with the utmost care and sensitivity. There would be no obligation for you to go ahead with an article if you had reservations after speaking with me.

If you were interested in speaking out, I think it's crucial that you work with someone you can trust. I would be happy to answer any question and address any concern.

I appreciate that you may have some concerns about appearing in a feature, but I would like to assure you that it is our policy to always read back articles to the people we interview. I would also never place your story in any publication without your full consent.

The national magazines do pay generously on publication which can either go to you or to a charity of your choice.

Your story would only be on the shelves for a week as well.

I think GSA is a very misunderstood taboo in society today and am really looking to break down those barriers and hopefully get people to understand more about it.

The aim of the article is to raise awareness and even perhaps inspire other GSA people to not be ashamed and that they are not alone.

I am also happy to show you previous work I have done on GSA.

If you do think you would like to get back in touch with me then please contact me in confidence on 0121 551 1004 or 007706254066 or send an email to candice@hotspotmedia.co.uk

Best wishes,

Candice

Living in a Marriage That's Denied Equality

People in consanguinamorous relationships are everywhere, though consanguinamorists tend to be closeted. Fortunately, some are willing to be interviewed for this blog. As a result, Full Marriage Equality has featured scores of exclusive interviews with lovers are denied the freedom to be open about their love and are, by law, denied the freedom to marry and have that marriage treated equally under the law.

The man and woman interviewed below should be free to legally marry, yet they can't, and they could be imprisoned and have their lives ruined if they were outed to the wrong people. They are consenting adults who aren't hurting anyone and have been raising a child together; why should they be denied their rights? In much of the world, including all but a a few US states, they could be criminally prosecuted for their love

Read the interview below and see for yourself what this couple has to say. You may think this relationship is interesting, or it might make you uncomfortable, or you might find it ideal, even highly erotic and romantic, but whatever your reaction, should these lovers be denied equal access to marriage or any other rights simply because they enjoy what we call double love?


WARNINGS: Mildly explicit sexuality.

*****

FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Describe yourselves.

Brother: I am currently in IT with the federal government. We live in the suburbs outside a major metro area. I am 30, 6'4" and 230. Brown hair and gray eyes that tend to change color with what I am wearing. I have a masters degree, one sibling, and our daughter.

We were born and raised on the west coast, but moved a lot growing up both domestically and internationally. So we got to experience a lot of different cultures.

Sister: I am a paralegal with a local law firm, I am living with my brother and our daughter. I am 29, 5'4", dirty blond hair, soccer mom.


FME: Are you married or have you ever been legally and/or ceremonially married?

Sister: We are not married in the full legal sense, but we did exchange rings and vows to each other. So for us we are husband and wife.

Brother: I am currently hunting on the dark web for ways to get married officially. We want our love to be official, and to know that we are legally required to wake up next to each other. Bonus points if you can name the movie that's from.

Physical Security for Consanguinamorous Couples

...and triads, etc.

U.N. Owen is back as a guest blogger. Yes, we accept submissions.

*****

Consang couples face the same risk of mugging and home invasion that Regular couples do. It's not a pleasant thing to say, but they face an additional risk of mob violence. At least one couple I'm aware of was physically assaulted, blackmailed, and threatened with deadly force in their home by a group of violent thugs after they were outed to same. This occurred in the southern US several years ago. I have a credible (though secondhand) account of this incident, which I have shared with Keith.

In better days when we have equality, we won't have this risk, at least not as much. But we are not in better days yet. And home invasions will still happen. 

So I'd like to suggest that couples take reasonable and prudent measures to protect themselves. I'm not advocating that we live in fear, just with reasonable caution and prudent preparation.

The first, and best, option is simply to make sure that it never happens. Never reveal your love to anyone who might out you, either to the police or to anyone else. Trust others only when you are absolutely sure you can, and limit that to only those who need to know.

The second best option, if you are attacked, is to escape. If you don't fight, you won't be hurt. There is no benefit to being macho in this situation, and you are not a coward if you can run away from trouble. Famous self-defense experts like Massad Ayoob agree on this.

Third best is to prep to survive an attack, whether from a home invasion or a mob. Take additional prudent measures to secure your home. Most people already know about deadbolt locks, solid outer doors, alarms, dogs, and the like. Additional security measures can be taken, such as setting up a "safe room" inside your home and especially where you sleep. There are a lot of Internet resources on securing your home. Google is your friend.

Whether you arm yourself is your personal choice, at least in places that allow you to. If you do, please be sure to get trained by a certified trainer, practice regularly, and handle your arms safely.

I'd appreciate your comments about what steps you have taken to protect yourselves and your home from violent intruders.

*****

Thanks, U.N. Owen. These are excellent considerations.

When people are criminalized for loving other consenting adults, they are easy targets for real crimes, because predators know that the victims will be reluctant to go to law enforcement authorities.

As pointed out, any good self-defense expert or instructor will say that the best way to defend yourself is to not get into a fight in the first place. Avoid attacks. De-escalate. Run.

Avoiding trouble in the first place is better than having to deal with trouble, but sometimes there isn't a choice. Keeping that closet door closed and moving somewhere that you're not known as genetic/blood relatives can do much to protect you. Especially if you're going to live together, you might want to keep people who knew you from tracking you down by purchasing your residence via a revocable trust. A good lawyer and help you set that up. A revocable trust makes it much more difficult for someone to find your address of residence.

International Consanguinamory Day

April 28, 2018 is the first Annual International Consanguinamory Day.

It is a day to celebrate and raise awareness about consanguinamory, consauinamorous relationships, and consanguinamorous people. It is important for people to know:

• They know people who are consanguinamorous, perhaps people they love and admire.
• Consanguinamorists exist in every demographic, race, class, and population and always have.
• Consanguinamory is in your genealogy.
• Consanguinamorists face prejudice, harassment, discrimination, even criminalization and murder simply for being who they are and loving other consenting adults.
• We are going to ensure that people of all genders, sexual orientations, and relationship orientations, including consanguinamorous people, have their rights sooner rather than later.

Consanguinamorous people and allies are welcome to join Kindred Spirits for support and opportunities to help others. If you’re consanguinamorous, you’re not alone!

UPDATE: Jane’s celebrating.

April 27 is the National Day of Silence in the US

GLSEN's National Day of Silence is today, Friday, April 27.

It's a day of silence, especially in schools, to bring awareness to the prejudice, inequality, and bullying suffered by LGBTQ people.

Along with all allies, I also think poly people and consanguinamorous people should participate.

Everyone should have the freedom to be themselves without being bullied. Every adult should have the right to share love, sex, residence, and marriage (or any of those without the others) with ANY and ALL consenting adults, without prosecution, bullying, or discrimination. Young people should be free to develop relationships, as appropriate for their age, with their peers without being forced into a narrow heteromonogamous paradigm. Transgender, genderfluid, intersex, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and other students and faculty need to see that they are supported.

LGBTQ, poly, and consanguinamorous students and faculty still have to deal with hateful policies and attacks, but with your help, that will continue to change.

To Our Lesbian Sisters: We See You

Today, April 26 is Lesbian Day of Visibility.

Lesbians, or gay women, are everywhere, and they should have their rights to be themselves NOT be pressured into a heterosexual model of relationships. They should not be pressured to look or present themselves a certain way to "fit in."

A lesbian, like anyone else, should be free to not be in a relationship at all, or to share love, sex, residence, and marriage (and any of those without the others) with any and all consenting adults, without fear of prosecution, bullying, or discrimination.

Lesbians are valuable members of society, and always have been, making positive contributions in every area of life.

We see you!!!

Student Seeking GSA Couple for Interview

Hi Everyone!  My name is Steven Ezra, and I am a nursing student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in NYC.  Formerly, I was a professional dancer and now I am a father to a 2 year old daughter. 

I am seeking an interview with a GSA couple for a non-biased research paper for my developmental psychology paper.  I am willing to drive to any location within 100 miles of NYC and would be very interested to hear your story.  If anyone would be willing to share their story with me, please contact me at anytime - steven.ezra@yahoo.com or 631-816-1999

*****

[I am posting this on Steven's behalf. I make no promises or guarantees; I'm simply passing along the information. - Keith]

An Intergenerational Relationship in the News

While adult intergenerational relationships are not criminalized or denied the right to marry in the US, they can still face discrimination and harassment. We do support the right for people to have these relationships and to marry. A younger adult should be free to marry an older adult. As we've pointed out here before, intergenerational relationships can work and they aren't inherently abusive.

When someone says "She's old enough to be your grandmother!" a good response is "So what?" A woman his age is "old enough to be his sister." So? And what if this woman was his grandmother? What does it matter?

It seems they met and possibly married when he was still 17, which is legal in some places. The age of consent in some states is 16. They claim they didn't have sex until they were married (and yes, 17-yeaar-olds can legally marry in some places). He's now 19 and she's 72.

Danny Baggott brings us the story at mirror.co.uk...

Gary had just broken up with another woman aged 77, and admits he knew Almeda was 'the one' as soon as he locked eyes with the grandmother of six.

Two weeks into their whirlwind romance, Gary popped the question and they tied the knot just six days later in a ceremony which he arranged for just £137.

That's not generally something I would advise, but there some relationships that do work out under such conditions. I think it is helpful that it wasn't his first relationship with an older woman. The article says they've been together for two years, and that's a lot longer than some!

(Image: Barcroft Media)

The happy couple are more than aware that a lot of people disagree with the nature of their relationship.

That's the way things are. People think that because something isn't for them, nobody else should do it.

Gary said: “What does the future hold for Gary and Almeda? I believe amazing things.

“We want to pursue our dreams on YouTube and be able to inspire more and more people every day that age is just a number – it should not matter.

“As long as you’re in love with that person, you should follow your heart and be happy and be yourself.”

My best advice to people looking to marry is to wait at least until their into their late 20s, but there are exceptions.