Polyamory
Ethical non-monogamy with love, honesty, and consent.
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Polyamory involves having or supporting multiple committed romantic or sexual relationships at the same time, as long as everyone involved agrees. It falls under ethical non-monogamy, which itself is a type of consensual non-monogamy. People who are polyamorous often work to handle jealousy deliberately and disagree with the idea that being monogamous is necessary for having deep, lasting, loving bonds. When a polyamorous group is closed, meaning everyone involved only has sex within that group, this arrangement is called polyfidelity.
Lore & Background
The word 'polyamorous' first appeared in an article by Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, 'A Bouquet of Lovers', published in May 1990 in Green Egg Magazine, as 'poly-amorous'. In May 1992, Jennifer L. Wesp created the Usenet newsgroup alt.polyamory, and the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) cites the proposal to create that group as the first verified appearance of the word 'polyamory'. In 1999, Zell-Ravenheart provided a definition for the OED. The words polyamory, polyamorous, and polyamorist were added to the OED in 2006.
Polyamory is not typically considered part of the LGBTQ umbrella. Courts and cities in Canada and the U.S. are increasingly recognizing polyamorous families. About 4% of people practice polyamory, and up to 17% are open to it. Notable individuals publicly identifying as polyamorous include authors Dossie Easton, Janet Hardy, and Laurell K. Hamilton; filmmaker Terisa Greenan; activist Brenda Howard; musician Willow Smith; and journalist Quinn Norton.
Reader's Guide
Polyamory can take forms such as a triad, a poly family, a 'vee' (one person as pivot), a couple with other relationships, and various intimate networks. Styles include kitchen table polyamory (where members are comfortable gathering together), parallel polyamory (where partners prefer not to meet), and solo polyamory (where individuals resist the 'relationship escalator'). Fidelity is defined as faithfulness to promises and agreements, not sexual exclusivity. Polyamory is distinguished from swinging and open couples by privileging emotional intimacy with others.
Did You Know?
- The term 'polyamory' combines the Greek word for 'many' (poly) and the Latin word for 'love' (amor).
- Polyamory-related observances include Metamour Day on February 28, Polyamory Pride Day during Pride Month, International Solo Polyamory Day on September 24, and Polyamory Day on November 23.
- The Kinsey Institute estimated half a million 'openly polyamorous families' in the United States in July 2009.
- Some religious groups that have accepted or supported polyamory include the Oneida Community, certain rabbis and Jewish communities, LaVeyan Satanists, and Unitarian Universalists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Polyamory?
Polyamory is a relationship model where a person maintains committed romantic and/or sexual bonds with more than one partner at the same time, with every partner's full knowledge and consent. It sits within the ethical-non-monogamy field and is specifically known for consensual multi-partner arrangements built on honesty and open communication.
What is Polyamory's role or 'power set'?
Its core function is to show that love, commitment, and sexual intimacy can be distributed across multiple partners rather than confined to a single one, provided all parties agree. It operates as a structured alternative to monogamy that foregrounds ongoing consent, transparency, and negotiated boundaries.
When and by whom was Polyamory introduced?
The term was coined in 1990 by Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart to label the practice she and her community were already living. It was later admitted into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006, marking its transition from subculture jargon to recognized vocabulary.
How prevalent is Polyamory in the wider 'universe'?
Surveys suggest roughly four percent of people actively practice some form of polyamory, while up to seventeen percent say they would be open to it. That gap points to a sizable latent audience even among those who currently identify as monogamous.
Why is Polyamory considered a pivotal entry in the S&P I series?
It directly challenges the default assumption that one-partner exclusivity is the only legitimate shape for committed love, and its growing visibility in legal frameworks and clinical settings signals a broader cultural shift in how consent, jealousy, and partnership are understood.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Polyamory (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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