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Polyamory, in its broadest usage, is the practice or lifestyle of being open to having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time, with the full knowledge and consent of all partners involved. Persons who consider themselves emotionally suited to such relationships may define themselves as polyamorous, often abbreviated to poly.

Terminology


Polyamory is a hybrid word: poly is Greek for many and amor is Latin for love. It has been independently coined by several people, including Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart whose article "A Bouquet of Lovers" (1990) is widely cited as the source of the word (but see below), and Jennifer Wesp who created the Usenet newsgroup alt.polyamory in 1992 *. However, the term has been reported in occasional use since the 1960s , and even outside polygamous cultures such relationships existed well before the name was coined; for one example dating from the 1920s, see William Moulton Marston.

The word "polyamory" does not actually appear in "A Bouquet of Lovers", referenced above. The article uses "polyamorous", but its original version introduced the term in hyphenated form, "poly-amorous". The article consistently uses "polygamy" as the counterpart to "monogamy". This indicates that at the time, the author was not yet using the word "polyamory", and did not consider "polyamorous" an established word either. There are no verifiable sources showing the word polyamory in common use until after alt.polyamory was created. The older term polyfidelity, a subset of polyamory, was coined decades earlier at Kerista.

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Intentional Communities :: Lifestyle Choices
Polygamy :: Alternative Lifestyles

 
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2NITE 11PM POLYAMORY,MONOGAMY,THE MODERN RELATIONSHIP;FROM TIGER 2 SWIZZ, WE GOIN IN..CALL/CHAT http://tobtr.com/s/825379 #SUPERPUSSYRADIO
tiyephoenix (Tiye Phoenix) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:13:47 -0000
2NITE 11PM POLYAMORY,MONOGAMY,THE MODERN RELATIONSHIP;FROM TIGER 2 SWIZZ, WE GOIN IN..CALL/CHAT http://tobtr.com/s/825379 #SUPERPUSSYRADIO
Common Myths About Polyamory http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/12/common-myths-about-polyamory.html
polyamorie (Pieter Schultz) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:18:45 -0000
Common Myths About Polyamory http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/12/common-myths-about-polyamory.html
Ruminating on Pareto Efficiency/Optimality/Improvements and polyamory. Who can I talk to that understands both?
mariehuynh (Marie Huynh) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:48:02 -0000
Ruminating on Pareto Efficiency/Optimality/Improvements and polyamory. Who can I talk to that understands both?
@kristacastles Lucky for us, a lot of cute girls and boys "buy this [polyamory] crap." :-)
polyweekly (Poly Weekly podcast) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:48:56 -0000
@kristacastles Lucky for us, a lot of cute girls and boys "buy this [polyamory] crap." :-)
Sarcasm Society: "Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution." -Mae West
polyamory (polyamory) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:25:39 -0000
Sarcasm Society: "Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution." -Mae West
Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #seattle_wa #glbt #bdsm #relationships #polyamory #non_monogamy
polyweekly (Poly Weekly podcast) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:07:53 -0000
Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #seattle_wa #glbt #bdsm #relationships #polyamory #non_monogamy

 
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alt.polyamory Home Page - Extensive set of resources about polyamory, containing FAQs, essays, spots for personal ads, groups, and art.

A Polyamory Community - A LiveJournal community, for those who are interested in polyamory, to discuss the philosophy and practice of the polyamorous lovestyle.

An Unconditional Love - Explores ideas related to polyamory.
Meta Description: [ Ideas related to polyamory are explored in this site for polyamorous and poly curious people. ]

Church of All Worlds - CAW's mission is to evolve a network of information, mythology and experience that provides a context and stimulus for re-awakening Gaea, and re-uniting her children through tribal community dedicated to responsible stewardship and evolving consciousness.
Meta Description: [ CAWeb - The Official Web Site of the Church of All Worlds, Inc. ]

Free Love is Free Expression - The title essay argues that Polyamory is about freedom of the body, based on the grounds that sex is a cause for celebration, not for shame.

Institute for 21st Century Relationships - The non-profit Institute provides info on exploring/understanding workable alternatives to heterosexual, lifelong, sexually exclusive monogamy. Programs, conference/seminars and publications.
Meta Description: [ The non-profit Institute provides info on exploring/understanding workable alternatives to heterosexual, lifelong, sexually/emotionally-exclusive monogamy. Programs, conference/seminars and publications. ]

Liberated Christians: Polyamory - Promotes nonmonogamy, polyamory or swinging as a legitimate choice for Christians and others. Special focus on the Christian aspect, and whether the Bible and non-monogamy are compatible.
Meta Description: [ Liberated Christians, Promoting Positive Intimacy and Sexuality Including Responsible Nonmonogamy, Polyamory or 'Swinging' as a legitimate CHOICE for Christians and others. Exposing false traditions of sexual repression that have no biblical basis. Promoting Intimacy & Women-Centered Loving Sex... ]

Live The Dream - Live the Dream is an education and support group for people in group marriages.

Open Hearts Project, The - A small collection of very detailed personal stories describing people's experiences with polyamorous relationships.

500 Our Little Quad - Have you ever considered a group marriage? Do you ever wonder how in the world something like that could work out? Our Little Quad explains the hows and whys of a group marriage with practical advice and stories from their own lives.

500 Pearz Poly Personals and Dating Service - A personals board including features designed for polyamorous people and relationships. Currently free, cost subject to change.
Meta Description: [ Pearz Poly Personals - A unique dating service with sophisticated, intelligent features for Polyamorous and Polyfidelitous Relationships! ]

Poly Bureau, The - A polyamory discussion column, including questions and answers.
Meta Description: [ Introduction and index to columns on polyamory ]

Poly MatchMaker - An online personals site for poly people. Requires registration (free).
Meta Description: [ A Free Poly Personals Site ]

Poly Ring, The - A growing collection of websites about polyamory or by polyamorous people.
Meta Description: [ twomoons.com ]

Poly-friendly Professionals - Listings of counselors, therapists, lawyers, and other professionals who are open-minded about polyamory.
Meta Description: [ Polyamory-friendly therapists and other professionals. ]

Polyamory Awareness and Acceptance Ribbon Campaign - Products and resources for those interested in responsible non-monogamy.
Meta Description: [ Promoting awareness and acceptance of consensual non-monogamy as a lifestyle. ]

Polyamory Place - Information on alternative lifesyles, catering to couples, triads and bisexual relationships. Includes personal ads, postcards, bookstore, contests, links, chat and information.
Meta Description: [ Polyamory: Alternative Lifesyles, Catering to couples, triads and bisexual relationships... Personal Ads, Postcards, Bookstore, Contests, Links, Chat & Information ]

Polyamory Pride Flag - Design and explanation of the polyamory pride flag. Graphics available for inclusion in web pages.

Polyamory Society, The - The Polyamory Society is a nonprofit organization which promotes and supports the interest of individuals of multipartnered relationships and families.

polyamory.com - A good set of resources for the polyamorous. Attractively designed.

polyandproud.com - polyandproud.com .... playful and provocative polyamorous paraphernalia (plus essays and excerpts from a book in progress)

Sacred Space Institute - SSI's intention is to 'create a context in which the arts of whole systems healing, sacred sexuality, polyamory, community development and new paradigm relating can be taught, developed, applied, given professional legitimacy, and disseminated internationally.'
Meta Description: [ Dr. Deborah Anapol's Love Without Limits website offers workshops, articles, books, and videos on polyamory, sacred sexuality and conscious relationships. ]

Society for Human Sexuality polyamory info - The Society is a social and educational organization whose purpose is to promote understanding and appreciation for the many forms of adult intimate relationships and consensual sexual expression.

Star's Polyamory Page - Articles on polyamory, and links to resources.

The Simple Guide to Relationships - A short, simple guide to maintaining healthy relationships in your life, including relationships with friends, family, lovers, and partners. Did we say simple? We meant it. Simple things stick in the brain better.

What Psychology Professionals Should Know About Polyamory - Paper by Geri D. Weitzman, written for psychologists and psychiatrists.

Yahoo Groups: Polyamory - A place for the polyamorous community to meet and discuss poly issues.
Meta Description: [ Yahoo! Groups offers free mailing lists, photo & file sharing, group calendars and more. Discuss hot topics, share interests, join online communities. ]

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POLYAMORY: Making Poly Love Work -- video.newsweek.com
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