"This is my poly dream: that every college student in America will know the word polyamory and what it means within five years." So declared Diana Adams at a Loving More conference 4¼ years ago. Since then, more progress has happened in this direction than I expected. As the poly universe grows, its average age is certainly trending down.I, too, witnessed Diana's passionate declaration that day. Are we approaching our cultural tipping point, or is it maybe not too far down the road? Time will tell. It's very exciting to think about that, it's what I've been committed to helping facilitate for a long time now, remarking from time to time that the completion of the societal legitimization of alternatives to traditional monogamy lies in the hands of younger generations. It's exciting to see that TNGers continue to find their voices and to be able to be a witness to that myself. More and more they are taking their power in hand and, in so doing, making a difference for all of us.
Showing posts with label Diana Adams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diana Adams. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Polyamory - It's Not Just for Baby Boomers Anymore
In his most recent entry at Polyamory in the News, Alan quotes a college student: "Every time I turn around, I feel like more of my peers are entering open relationships." A 30-something family member of mine said the very same to me just a few days ago. Then Alan gives us a rundown of the latest poly news from college campuses. He also includes the following quote and comment:
Thursday, September 17, 2009
MTV's True Life: I'm Polyamorous
The poly world is all abuzz about the latest episode of MTV's True Life reality show, which features New York poly activist and attorney Diana Adams, her partners Ed and Kerry, and Jim, Chris and Thomas, a gay male triad living in Charlotte, NC. To hear from Diana about the experience of opening her love life to the world, see her recent blog entries.
MTV, as well as the polyamorists featured, has done a good job of representing not only what polyamory is, but also some of the common issues that arise and must be resolved, like jealousy, time management, fear of loss, untruthfulness, etc.
What makes this particular broadcast media event so special is it's reach - literally millions of young adults watch this series, with women age 18-25 being its primary audience.
As for Jim, Chris and Thomas, these guys live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a local news station did a feature on their poly relationship recently. And woo hoo! It even includes a reference to Loving More.
It's particularly noteworthy that instead of condemnation from local Christian conservatives, the condemnation they experience comes from the gay community itself for what apparently some see as a misrepresentation of gay relationships. More and more we are seeing media events that tell the stories of gay polyfolk, and I have to wonder just how much longer the same-sex marriage movement leaders will be able to get away with continually dismissing (and dissing) polyamory as irrelevant. Slippery slope or not, we are here, we are everywhere, (sound familiar?) and our numbers are increasing.
For more commentary on this program, see Alan's indepth analysis on the Polyamory-in-the-News blog.
MTV, as well as the polyamorists featured, has done a good job of representing not only what polyamory is, but also some of the common issues that arise and must be resolved, like jealousy, time management, fear of loss, untruthfulness, etc.
What makes this particular broadcast media event so special is it's reach - literally millions of young adults watch this series, with women age 18-25 being its primary audience.
As for Jim, Chris and Thomas, these guys live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a local news station did a feature on their poly relationship recently. And woo hoo! It even includes a reference to Loving More.
It's particularly noteworthy that instead of condemnation from local Christian conservatives, the condemnation they experience comes from the gay community itself for what apparently some see as a misrepresentation of gay relationships. More and more we are seeing media events that tell the stories of gay polyfolk, and I have to wonder just how much longer the same-sex marriage movement leaders will be able to get away with continually dismissing (and dissing) polyamory as irrelevant. Slippery slope or not, we are here, we are everywhere, (sound familiar?) and our numbers are increasing.
For more commentary on this program, see Alan's indepth analysis on the Polyamory-in-the-News blog.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Join Me for Reid's Day of Jealousy Teleclasses
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dan Savage Slams Poly Pride Event
Dan Savage is an asshole. I know that's not news, but his latest "slog" post in the Seattle Stranger demonstrates his common tendency to crap all over people and events just for the misanthropic fun of it.
It doesn't matter that he is generally pro poly. His is the last opinion I'd value on that question. What does matter is that his toxic, scornful cynicism leads him to step on his own dick while at the same time slandering others and poisoning the minds of his readers against them:
Anita: No surprise there!
Quoting an article on DigitalJournal.com:
Dan continues:
The article continues:
Oh, where to begin? First, no one said cuddle parties are for everyone. Heck, they're not even for me really. I'm an affectionate person toward people once I've had enough time to get to know and like them, but I've tried cuddle parties and FOR ME it takes a bit more time to feel comfortable than the situation allows. I'm not particularly interested in cuddling with strangers.
That doesn't mean cuddle parties aren't great experiences and phenominal events for many others. They offer exercises in emotional growth, boundary setting, and just plain fun and healing. It's a way for people who don't have enough touch in their lives to get it in a non-sexually charged atmosphere, and there's nothing unhealthy or, God forbid, sex-negative about it. Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baszynski, the Cuddle Party founders, are great community leaders and savvy poly practitioners who are also valuable role models. Dan Savage would be lucky to count them as friends. I know I am.
As for his slam on Diana Adams because she USED TO BE a youth minister, Diana is yet another valuable community leader and role model who at last month's Loving More East Coast Conference in Greenwich, NY, gave a keynote speech during which she said that her goal is to make sure that every student on college campuses knows that they have options in how they organize their intimate relationships. She is bright, energetic, ambitious, and serves the polyamory community in many ways, not the least of which is her crusade to provide legal assistance to polyamorists who are victims of bias and discrimination on the job and in the family courts when child custody is challenged. Again, I am glad to be able to count her as a friend.
Together Reid, Marcia and Diana have done more good for more people than Dan Savage ever will, at least until he does some serious work on that dissocial personality of his.
Yes, Dan pissed me off, and yes, I'm biased. I have no regrets about that particular bias, since I consider it entirely reasonable to favor people who actually do great things to serve their community instead of sitting around shooting their mouth off and denigrating others who do.
And as if all that weren't enough, I found the smug comment of Dawgson to reflect very poorly on the Seattle poly community, which I know to be vibrant and full of positive, welcoming energy. I have many friends there. Dawgson wrote, "Am I the only one that's shocked the Poly Pride Parade isn't being hosted here in Seattle?"
Maybe Dawgson needs to get up off his behind and make it happen like the amazing group of people who get the credit for bringing the dynamic Poly Pride Rally and related events into being.
It doesn't matter that he is generally pro poly. His is the last opinion I'd value on that question. What does matter is that his toxic, scornful cynicism leads him to step on his own dick while at the same time slandering others and poisoning the minds of his readers against them:
But What If I Like The Way My Assumptions About Men and Women Are Framed? posted by Dan Savage on October 14 at 11:35 AM
"I’m not a big proponent of monogamy, as most everyone is certainly aware by this point, and I’m generally pro-polyamory, even if “many loves” aren’t for me. I had a hard enough time conning one dude into putting up with my shit; I can’t imagine that I could possibly con two or three dudes."
Anita: No surprise there!
"But at the risk of sounding polyphobic, I have to say that this event sounds like hell on earth:"
Quoting an article on DigitalJournal.com:
Sure, it doesn’t have the turnout of the annual Gay Pride Parade in New York City but the Poly Pride Weekend made its way to The Big Apple and just celebrated its 8th annual event.
To kick off the celebration, there was a Super Massive Cuddle Party that allowed registrants a discounted opportunity to engage in multi-person, multi-gender activity and was '…a place for people to rediscover non-sexual touch and affection, a space to reframe assumptions about men and women, and a great networking event to meet new friends, roommates, business partners and significant others.'
Dan continues:
"Uh… yeah. That’s where I want to meet my new business partners and roommates—in a pile of folks copping feels in Central Park. Another reason to miss the Super Massive Cuddle Party—youth pastors!"
The article continues:
An article in the NYT gives a sneak peak into the life of Diana Adams, a Cornell-educated attorney and the VP of Polyamourous NYC. Adams, who use to be a youth minister in a Christian church and is now involved with both men and women on a regular basis.
Oh, where to begin? First, no one said cuddle parties are for everyone. Heck, they're not even for me really. I'm an affectionate person toward people once I've had enough time to get to know and like them, but I've tried cuddle parties and FOR ME it takes a bit more time to feel comfortable than the situation allows. I'm not particularly interested in cuddling with strangers.
That doesn't mean cuddle parties aren't great experiences and phenominal events for many others. They offer exercises in emotional growth, boundary setting, and just plain fun and healing. It's a way for people who don't have enough touch in their lives to get it in a non-sexually charged atmosphere, and there's nothing unhealthy or, God forbid, sex-negative about it. Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baszynski, the Cuddle Party founders, are great community leaders and savvy poly practitioners who are also valuable role models. Dan Savage would be lucky to count them as friends. I know I am.
As for his slam on Diana Adams because she USED TO BE a youth minister, Diana is yet another valuable community leader and role model who at last month's Loving More East Coast Conference in Greenwich, NY, gave a keynote speech during which she said that her goal is to make sure that every student on college campuses knows that they have options in how they organize their intimate relationships. She is bright, energetic, ambitious, and serves the polyamory community in many ways, not the least of which is her crusade to provide legal assistance to polyamorists who are victims of bias and discrimination on the job and in the family courts when child custody is challenged. Again, I am glad to be able to count her as a friend.
Together Reid, Marcia and Diana have done more good for more people than Dan Savage ever will, at least until he does some serious work on that dissocial personality of his.
Yes, Dan pissed me off, and yes, I'm biased. I have no regrets about that particular bias, since I consider it entirely reasonable to favor people who actually do great things to serve their community instead of sitting around shooting their mouth off and denigrating others who do.
And as if all that weren't enough, I found the smug comment of Dawgson to reflect very poorly on the Seattle poly community, which I know to be vibrant and full of positive, welcoming energy. I have many friends there. Dawgson wrote, "Am I the only one that's shocked the Poly Pride Parade isn't being hosted here in Seattle?"
Maybe Dawgson needs to get up off his behind and make it happen like the amazing group of people who get the credit for bringing the dynamic Poly Pride Rally and related events into being.
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