Hi everyone,
This is the first of a series of blog posts on different aspects of the LGBTQ movement that we hope will enlighten and educate you on what are possibly the areas which people tend to know less about.
What is polyamory?
The Oxford English Dictionary states that it is: The fact of having simultaneous close emotional relationships with two or more other individuals, viewed as an alternative to monogamy, especially in regard to matters of sexual fidelity; the custom or practise of engaging in multiple sexual relationships with the knowledge and consent of all partners concerned.
This is a pretty good definition, but I think it focuses too much on the sexual aspect of a relationship. Polyamory literally translates as many or several loves, so its more of a romantic element than a necessarily sexual one.
However, there are many different things that many different people see as poly. There are many overlapping and intersecting things that are often seen as poly, and I think this chart is the best way of showing them that I’ve come across.
FAQs and Debunking myths:
There are so many myths and misinterpretations about polyamory it would be impossible to post them all here.
However, this site has some wonderful and hilarious answers to many of the questions you might have, and answers to many more will be found in the resources further down the page.
Resources: Below you will find a selection of resource: blogs, podcasts, news sites and webcomics, to help you find out more about, or keep up with the news on everything poly. I hope you enjoy them and are inspired to find out more from what you see.
- Poly Weekly: a weekly podcast that you can listen to online or download with a different topic every week. It aims to be talk about ‘Responsible non-monogamy from a kink-friendly, pansexual point of view’. There are 272 episodes, so definately a wealth of information.
- Practical Polyamory: A blog dedicated to passing on help and information on the common challenges of a polyamorous lifestyle and their remedies, as well as info on activism and community organsing.
- Polyamorous Percolations: Polyamory in the News: A news blog dedicated to poly things in the news. not the most prolifically updated site, but atill interesting and useful.
- Poly in Pictures: A funny web-comic updates twice weekly on mainly poly subjects, although others relating to sexuality too. Sexuality via the medium of stick figures, good times.
- The Ethical Slut: is a fantastic book about polyamory, and looks at practical guidance as to how to put such a relationship into practise. Annoyingly, its not available in the University Library (surprise, surprise, prudes. I checked.) but it is available on Amazon here.
So where could I meet more poly people and get more involved?
Aside from getting to know the poly members of the LGBTQ (and there’re quite a few. :]), there are various poly social events that happen. Watch this space for info on when they’re going on, we’ll make sure to put them up as soon as we know whats going on.
UK Poly Mailing List- to talk with other poly people about poly-related issues, and to arrange meetups with other Poly people. Find it here.
