Polyamory

Polyamory is the practice of, or the desire for, <a href="/facts/Romance_(love)/dzUe2kI7">romantic relationships</a> with more than one partner at the same time, with the informed consent of all partners involved. Some people who identify as polyamorous believe in <a href="/facts/Consensual_non-monogamy/TYLlQLyT">consensual non-monogamy</a> with a conscious management of <a href="/facts/Jealousy/SpGzDLWC">jealousy</a> and reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity (<a href="/facts/Monogamy/o0REFnev">monogamy</a>) are prerequisite for deep, committed, long-term, loving relationships. Others prefer to restrict their sexual activity to only members of the group, a closed polyamorous relationship that is usually referred to as <a href="/facts/Polyfidelity/DjDLdMVT">polyfidelity</a>.
Polyamory has come to be an <a href="/facts/Umbrella_term/bjxUuoRb">umbrella term</a> for various forms of non-monogamous, multi-partner relationships, or non-exclusive sexual or romantic relationships. Its usage reflects the choices and <a href="/facts/Philosophy_of_love/RUB86bGn">philosophies</a> of the individuals involved, but with recurring themes or <a href="/facts/Value_(ethics_and_social_sciences)/f2RW9TXW">values</a>, such as love, intimacy, <a href="/facts/Honesty/tXbRkyfA">honesty</a>, <a href="/facts/Integrity/2JwWgnvN">integrity</a>, <a href="/facts/Egalitarianism/ggyw0hYI">equality</a>, <a href="/facts/Interpersonal_communication/JNoh6rpJ">communication</a>, and <a href="/facts/Promise/mSsvK6Pb">commitment</a>. It can often be distinguished from some other forms of <a href="/facts/Consensual_non-monogamy/TYLlQLyT">ethical non-monogamy</a> in that the relationships involved are loving intimate relationships, as opposed to purely sexual relationships.
The term polyamory was coined in 1990 and officially defined by 1999. It is not typically considered part of the <a href="/facts/LGBTQ_people/u0jej8Sb">LGBTQ</a> umbrella. Courts and cities in <a href="/facts/Canada/D5P9yqs6">Canada</a> and the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">U.S</a>. are increasingly recognizing polyamorous families, granting legal parentage to multiple adults and extending protections to multi-partner relationships. While still uncommon, about 4% of people practice polyamory, and up to 17% are open to it. While mainstream <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a> and <a href="/facts/Judaism/tjQ5Tgs6">Judaism</a> generally reject polyamory, some religious groups, including the <a href="/facts/Oneida_Community/ENeD75QK">Oneida Community</a>, certain <a href="/facts/Rabbi/vuBf5LYj">rabbis</a> and Jewish communities, <a href="/facts/LaVeyan_Satanism/nPhN5lUD">LaVeyan Satanists</a>, and <a href="/facts/Unitarian_Universalism/uWdD5wEa">Unitarian Universalists</a>, have accepted or supported polyamorous relationships. In <a href="/facts/Clinical_psychology/dUXP6Edt">clinical</a> settings, therapists are encouraged to recognize diverse relationship structures such as polyamory, address biases toward monogamy, and utilize specialized resources to support polyamorous clients.
From the 1970s onward, polyamory has been depicted in various media, including <a href="/facts/Isaac_Asimov/11oRajCj">Isaac Asimov</a>’s works, <a href="/facts/DC_Comics/gvuKz3yL">DC Comics</a>’ <a href="/facts/Starfire_(Teen_Titans)/3k1scatb">Starfire</a>, <a href="/facts/The_Wheel_of_Time/1jMI657H">The Wheel of Time</a> series, <a href="/facts/Futurama/72FSdj0B">Futurama</a>, and numerous 21st-century television shows and novels. Polyamory-related observances include <a href="/facts/Metamour/cwSJy9LJ">Metamour</a> Day on February 28, Polyamory Pride Day during Pride Month, International Solo Polyamory Day on September 24, and Polyamory Day on November 23, with polyamory groups often participating in pride parades. Worldwide nonprofits like <a href="/facts/Loving_More/psdfAcdV">Loving More</a> and others advocate for polyamory rights, acceptance, and education. Critics argue that polyamory is not inherently radical, often reflects privilege, and may have negative social impacts. Notable individuals publicly identifying as polyamorous include authors <a href="/facts/Dossie_Easton/s7BPTCPI">Dossie Easton</a>, <a href="/facts/Janet_Hardy/v93WNpcJ">Janet Hardy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Laurell_K._Hamilton/djwSFceC">Laurell K. Hamilton</a>; filmmaker <a href="/facts/Terisa_Greenan/3wInFRnE">Terisa Greenan</a>; activist <a href="/facts/Brenda_Howard/4znGrfQ1">Brenda Howard</a>; and musician <a href="/facts/Willow_Smith/xJ3Jgz0Q">Willow Smith</a>.

Polyamory open-in-new

Polyamory