Editing Polyamory (section)

{{Short description|Intimacy with multiple partners}}
{{about||the reality TV show|Polyamory: Married & Dating|the Breaking Benjamin song|Polyamorous (song)}}
{{distinguish|Polygamy|Polyromantic|Polysexuality}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox sexuality|image=Malmö Pride 2017 (35639406753).jpg|caption=A demonstrator (left) with a polyamorous pride flag in [[Malmö]], Sweden, August 2017|parent=[[Non-monogamy]]|subcategories=[[Polyfidelity]]|associated_terms={{hlist|[[Relationship anarchy]]|[[Ethical non-monogamy]]|[[Ambiamory]]|[[Free love]]}}}}
{{Polyamory sidebar|all}}

'''Polyamory''' ({{etymology|grc|''{{wikt-lang|grc|πολύς}}'' ({{grc-transl|πολῠ́ς}})|many|la|{{wikt-lang|la|amor}}|[[love]]}}) is the practice of, or the desire for, [[romance (love)|romantic relationship]]s 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 [[consensual non-monogamy]] with a conscious management of [[jealousy]] and reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity ([[monogamy]]) are prerequisite for deep, committed, long-term, loving relationships.<ref name=":3">{{cite journal |last=Klesse|first=C. |year=2011 |title=Notions of love in polyamory: Elements in a discourse on multiple loving |journal=Laboratorium |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=4–25 |url=http://www.soclabo.org/index.php/laboratorium/article/view/250/588 |access-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317114933/http://www.soclabo.org/index.php/laboratorium/article/view/250/588 |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Others prefer to restrict their sexual activity to only members of the group, a closed polyamorous relationship that is usually referred to as [[polyfidelity]].<ref name="Miller1999">{{cite book|last=Miller|first=Timothy|author-link=Timothy Miller|title=The 60s communes: hippies and beyond|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wVLu4F1aOgcC&pg=PA135|access-date=12 March 2011|year=1999|publisher=Syracuse University Press|isbn=978-0-8156-0601-7|page=135|archive-date=November 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107113857/http://books.google.com/books?id=wVLu4F1aOgcC&pg=PA135|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Pines|first1=Ayala|last2=Aronson|first2=Elliot|title=Polyfidelity: An alternative lifestyle without jealousy?|journal=Journal of Family and Economic Issues|date=1981|volume=4|issue=3|pages=373–392|doi=10.1007/BF01257945}}</ref>

''Polyamory'' has come to be an [[umbrella term]] for various forms of non-monogamous, multi-partner relationships, or non-exclusive sexual or romantic relationships.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poly glossary|url=https://www.polymatchmaker.com/main.mvc?Screen=HTML&Page=polyglossary|website=PolyMatchMaker.com|access-date=24 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706220211/http://www.polymatchmaker.com/main.mvc?Screen=HTML&Page=polyglossary|archive-date=July 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guardian1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/14/gender.uk|title=When two just won't do|date=November 14, 2003|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Helen Echlin|access-date=March 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827175507/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/14/gender.uk|archive-date=August 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://nyupress.org/books/9781479886227/|title=Beyond Monogamy: Polyamory and the Future of Polyqueer Sexualities|last=Schippers|first=Mimi|publisher=NYU Press|year=2017|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807023446/https://nyupress.org/books/9781479886227/|archive-date=August 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Its usage reflects the choices and [[Philosophy of love|philosophies]] of the individuals involved, but with recurring themes or [[Value (ethics and social sciences)|values]], such as love, intimacy, [[honesty]], [[integrity]], [[Egalitarianism|equality]], [[Interpersonal communication|communication]], and [[Promise|commitment]].<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1=Haritaworn|first1=J. |last2=Lin|first2=C.-J. |last3=Klesse|first3=C. |s2cid=145274479 |date=2016-08-15 |title=Poly/logue: A Critical Introduction to Polyamory |journal=[[Sexualities (journal)|Sexualities]] |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=515–29 |doi=10.1177/1363460706069963 |quote=Polyamory describes a form of relationship where it is possible, valid and worthwhile to maintain (usually long-term) intimate and sexual relationships with multiple partners simultaneously.}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Klesse|first=C.|s2cid=143812369|date=2016-08-15|title=Polyamory and its 'Others': Contesting the Terms of Non-Monogamy|journal=Sexualities|volume=9|issue=5|pages=565–583|doi=10.1177/1363460706069986}}</ref> It can often be distinguished from some other forms of [[Consensual non-monogamy|ethical non-monogamy]] in that the relationships involved are loving intimate relationships, as opposed to purely sexual relationships.<ref name="Brunning 2016"/>

The term ''polyamory'' was coined in 1990 and officially defined by 1999. It is not typically considered part of the [[LGBTQ people|LGBTQ]] umbrella. Courts and cities in [[Canada]] and the [[United States|U.S]]. 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 [[Christianity]] and [[Judaism]] generally reject polyamory, some religious groups, including the [[Oneida Community]], certain [[Rabbi|rabbis]] and Jewish communities, [[LaVeyan Satanism|LaVeyan Satanists]], and [[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalists]], have accepted or supported polyamorous relationships. In [[Clinical psychology|clinical]] 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 [[Isaac Asimov]]’s works, [[DC Comics]]’ [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]], [[The Wheel of Time]] series, [[Futurama]], and numerous 21st-century television shows and novels. 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, with polyamory groups often participating in pride parades. Worldwide nonprofits like [[Loving More]] 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 [[Dossie Easton]], [[Janet Hardy]], and [[Laurell K. Hamilton]]; filmmaker [[Terisa Greenan]]; activist [[Brenda Howard]]; and musician [[Willow Smith]].

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