General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Polymarriage deserves a defense [View all]TM99
(8,352 posts)There is a great deal of stigma attached to polyamorous relationships outside of very small fringe communities. My partner is a neo-pagan. There is a great deal of acceptance there. I am more Buddhist and while there is some acceptance, it is hardly universal. We have never been able to tell either of our parents, and my father and mother were activists during the 1960's civil rights movement.
There are fears that it is somehow about misogyny, abuse, or strange religious cult behavior. And the reality is so much more boring and mundane.
I have shared with my partner some of the discussions on here over this. She wasn't surprised. I can't say that I am either. We have both supported LGBT civil rights and SSM since the 80's and 90's.
Frankly the animosity is rather pathetic. How can allowing polymatrimony take away from straight or gay marriage? That was one of the fucked up arguments from bigoted straight people about gay marriage - that it would somehow take away from or destroy marriage as well know it. Bigots on the right used outrageous arguments about marrying pets or incest. These things are clearly outside of the definition of consenting adult human sexual and loving relationships.
We also have the added stigma of being in a ritualized long-term D/s relationship.
Talking about these realities and showing that we are just as 'normal' as everyone else is simply going to be an ongoing cultural issue. Thank you for speaking up and sharing rationally in this thread.