And a 4th Homework Post

[felipemcguire]

So, a couple of days ago, niemandsrose posted in response to a comment thread in this post saying:

However, in answer to your question, I think there is no difference between poly and gay activists. But I also think that, like gay activism, poly activists aren't going to get very far without mainstream buy-in: where's the poly PFLAG?I'm very interested in

Comments

[magdalene1]

I've been sort of ruminating on your questions and here's what I've come up with

[firebringer]

That's an interesting point. Reminds me a few years ago I was listening to O'Reilly Factor* and he had on a Gay Marriage activist and O'Reilly was saying how it wolud open the door to polygamous marriages, but the gay rights guy was denying it quite vociferously, and I wondered why. Is that what people are really afraid of?

Homosexuals have gotten pretty well established that they're born with their sexual preference, but I think poly people still have the public perception of it just being about the sex. Polyamory is just selfishness.

And it certainly isn't going to help things that the most famous example in the public eye is the FLDS. Sure it's not even near the same thing as what we're talking about, but it's there and has to be dealt with.

* I really think that the mejority of "conservative" radio shows' audiences are liberals who need something to be angry at after having to hold it all in in the name of being PC the rest of the day.

[luriddreamscape]

Boy, will I be glad when your paper is written!

The problem with pushing for poly rights is that polyamory has no real set of rules and only a vague platform--it's all about an idea...and even within the poly community, the meaning differs (often drastically). It isn't as cut and dry as being gay (I like the same sex, not the opposite sex.**) It's much easier to lobby for a law for rights where you can tic off a convenient list of what it means to be something. This is why the Republican party remains so successful--they have a cut-and-dry surface agenda.

Also, there's much more of a stigma against the poly lifestyle in terms of what that MEANS about any given person with the title. I think most people just assume that it is, in the end, a choice and that it means you're selfish, hedonistic or simply unhealthy and want as many partners as you can get. Why reward such selfishness with rights

[magdalene1]

Interesting how you talk about stories - Polygamy/amory needs more stories to invade the mainstream if it will gain traction.

[luriddreamscape]

I thought about writing a Sex in the City type show about it--with NORMAL people...but it's hard presenting a topic like this in a positive light without it looking like shameless propoganda.

[chris]

yeah I agree. or having the show devolve into "real world"-ish cat fighting and drama, which is what tv producers would probably want to spin it as