Introduction
Polyamory has been a culture attracting opposing views, whereby society has not fully embraced it. Firstly, it is the practice of having multiple sexual partners simultaneously. According to history, this subculture emerged in the late 1990s, when it was initially introduced as group marriage. The article “Polyamorous in Portland: the city making open relationships easy” presents the subculture’s scope in ways that many readers would comprehend. Polyamory is permitted in Portland, where poly relationship partners mention issues, including searching for partners with simile traits and are not shy to speak on their multiple relationships in public.
Primary Conditions
The practice of having several sexual partners is pegged on pre-conditions, which participants have highlighted. Among these rules, the most are the consent from all the involved partners. In other words, two or more people cannot belong to one romantic relationship without another one’s permission, as the author puts it (Sevcenko). Agreeably, this rule exists in my culture, as I have seen people ask for permission from their satellite lovers. The article has depicted an accurate picture of polyamory culture, which I have experienced.
Effective communication is another essential pre-condition that poly relationship upholds. Ideally, it would be challenging to sustain multiple sexual partners without effective communication because misunderstandings would always arise. After the founders realized this possible weakness, they set a condition for the partners, mainly the man, to adopt relevant communication cues. Additionally, participants should engage in actions that would not create jealousy of other partners (Sevcenko). Therefore, having multiple sexual partners would not be worrisome upon fulfilling these conditions.
Aspects of Polyamory
The similarity in Partners’ Traits
In the article, the author has depicted that Portland is one of the cities with many of these relationships. Besides, she says that partners have specific qualities they look for in people they intend to date. Indeed, the concept implies Portland has embraced this subculture, judging by how partners describe their preferred matches. For example, one partner says, “I don’t want someone who’s going to cause a lot of discord in my other relationships (Sevcenko). Based on this quote, any rational reader would agree that Portland has accepted and incorporated this subculture into the mainstream culture.
Poly partners believe that people without similar traits would cause many obstacles to the relationship’s growth goals. Mostly, they suggest the practice should comprise partners who would not be bothered by being with another partner. Further, the article has indicated these partners should possess the urge to talk about their relationships without any shame (Sevcenko). As noted, Portland has given unlimited opportunities for polyamory subculture to thrive, considering the ways people speak about their feelings and views on the issue.
Increasing Membership
Many people never identified with this culture in the past few years, judging how society puts shame on partners. Previously, it was believed that people could not have multiple sexual partners, creating room for unknown numbers of participants or members. Although, the article has noted a situation where about 4-5% of Americans engage in poly relationships (Sevcenko). It is true to agree that the number of members is increasing, and society is moving towards embracing the subculture. Comparatively, others argue that Portland swingers’ clubs have daily poly partners. Supportively, a member says, “It’s actually one of the most poly-friendly cities I’ve been to” (Sevcenko). Hence, it would be fitting to say polyamory continues to grow, recruiting more members.
The Positive Image
Portland is among the towns with friendly laws supporting the practice without setting limits. A deep delve into this article posits that many sexual partners share their stories with non-members. For instance, Jeffrey and Tamela are not shy to reveal their views and prove to people their successful relationship (Sevcenko). Still, the existing positive image in Portland has accorded unlimited freedom to partners to speak freely. For example, one says, “Because Portland is more progressive in general, it may be easier for someone who is exploring what others may consider an alternative lifestyle” (Sevcenko). Undoubtedly, the culture’s acceptability is high due to the willingness of poly partners to reveal their thoughts.
Polyamory subculture continues to dominate Portland, in which soon, other people would want to shift to this city. Besides, a practice is enjoyable when the government does not put sanctions on it. On the same note, polysexual partners have gone to the level of praising their city’s friendliness to the practice. Most importantly, the author supports this argument, quoting Franklin saying, “Portland is an amazing place if you’re poly, oh my god” (Sevcenko). Remarkably, this article has approached the discussion with clarity, without indicating any bias, because the poly partners’ sentiments are this subculture’s true reflection. Other cities have adopted this positivism, allowing multiple sexual partners to live in towns including Boston, Vancouver, Tampa, and San Francisco (Sevcenko). Therefore, if members prove their significance, polyamory culture will expand to almost all countries.
Conclusion
Polyamory subculture began as a group marriage notion to allow people to view it as polygamy. Many years later, this cultural practice evolved into relationships to the extent that its initial purpose has been altered. Vividly, the article has deciphered this issue by revealing what transpires in Portland. As a result, it has been outlined that poly partners are no longer afraid to share their thoughts and feelings, touching on preferred traits. Generally, the practice has spread, and many people have begun venturing into it, indicating its possibility of being incorporated into mainstream culture.
Works Cited
Sevcenko, Melanie. Polyamorous In Portland: The City Making Open Relationships Easy. 19 July 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/19/portland-polyamorous-relationships-consensual-non-monogamy. (Accessed 27 May 2022).
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