It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans have been involved in a consensually non-monogamous relationship at some point in their life. Stream the new CBSN Originals documentary, “Speaking Frankly: Non-Monogamy” now: https://t.co/2YqMQfA5pv pic.twitter.com/8GuPvsmWpb
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 24, 2019
This what they’re trying to normalize now.
Via CBS:
“One big orgy.” That’s the stereotype about the lifestyle of consensual non-monogamy — an arrangement where committed partners openly agree to have sexual relationships with other people.
But people who have practiced non-monogamy for years say it’s not all wild sex — or even all that wild. It takes a lot of work, and it carries a lot of stigma. There can be serious consequences for the family life and even careers of those involved.
“Many people are trying to create families in different kinds of ways. And a lot of people see that as dangerous,” Diana Adams, a Brooklyn-based lawyer who represents polyamorous families, says in the CBSN Originals documentary, “Non-monogamy.”
She advises clients in non-monogamous relationships to be careful about telling their employers. She’s seen some lose their jobs over it.
“There are places where it’s not safe to tell people that you’re polyamorous, and many people are not out,” Adams said. “I think employers are aware that they don’t have to allow employees to express themselves, in terms of their relationship status. Because that isn’t a protected class.”
It is illegal in all 50 states to be married to more than one person — which is known as polygamy, not polyamory. Polyamorous people who try different kinds of arrangements — such as a married couple with steady outside partners — run into their own legal problems.
There is no legal framework for polyamorous families to share finances, custody of children or the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage. Likewise, there are no legal protections against people facing discrimination for being in a non-monogamous relationship.