Tristan Taormino – Page 15

An open relationship, three years strong

Three years ago, Em & Lo intern Kristine deGuzman wrote a column called My Boyf and I Are Going on a Break, which explained her and her boyfriend's decision to have an open relationship while she studied abroad in Spain (despite reluctant reactions from friends). Now she has written a follow-up column called How I (Still) Make My Open Relationship Work.

There have been ups and downs in the relationship since deGuzman's return from Spain, but the couple are currently in a long-distance open relationship that is working out well.

We're so honest with each other that we rarely even fight anymore . . . We still talk to each other about our crushes, including one in particular that was so deep and overwhelming that I thought for sure it would tear us apart.

But even with the most destructive of crushes, honest communication was and is the key to making it work -- in this particular scenario, my boyfriend ended up giving me permission to date this person despite his misgivings about the situation. The crush fizzled out anyway, but I had even more respect for my boyfriend afterwards for being so rational and levelheaded about it all.

Read the rest at Em & Lo.

Production company looking for poly folks

A casting call posted on reality TV show casting website Reality Wanted is asking for polyamorous folks in relationships.

Are you currently involved in a polyamorous relationship? Are you a man or woman with a unique story on how to found polyamory and what it has done for you life? Are you new to the polyamorous community or been in it for some time and open to sharing your story? Maybe you attend poly parties in hopes of expanding your relationships? Do you and more than one spouse live and raise a family all under the same roof?

LA based Production Company seeking men and women who are currently engaged in committed relationships with multiple partners.

There isn't any other info available. You'll need to get an account at Reality Wanted to apply. The deadline is September 30th.

If you are interested in participating in further media events or want guidance on how ensure a fair portrayal of yourself, be sure to check out the Polyamory Media Association.

Brazilian notary grants three-person civil union

Brazil has been making headlines as it became known that a public notary in Sao Paulo accepted a civil union between three people. The union was formalized three months ago, but has only now become public knowledge.

Public notary Claudia do Nascimento Domingues granted the union after determining that there was no law or mention in the Brazilian Constitution prohibiting such an arrangement. In defense of the decision, Domingues has said, "We are only recognising what has always existed. We are not inventing anything."

The triad of one man and two women, who live together in Rio de Janeiro, have a joint bank account and share all expenses. The union was made official by a deed of Union Poliafetiva ("Deed of Polyaffective Union"). Under this new status, the triad legally share property and assets, are entitled to family hospital visits, and are protected in case of separation or death.

In response to this news, a columnist at The Guardian asks, "Why shouldn't three people get married?" She writes:

The government can dictate that two people should be in a marriage, but it can't legislate what will make them feel happy or stable or emotionally complete together. And if we accept that, as we do every time we allow anyone the freedom to make a decision about who they'll marry, and furthermore allow them the freedom to call each other by execrable pet names in public, then does it not begin to seem strange, just a bit, that we do allow the government to dictate how many people are allowed to pledge to be together forever?

. . . as long as everyone is entering a marriage equally, as long as everyone is really going to make an effort to be open and honest to everyone else, it's probably not the government's job to tell them how many of them there should be.

The move has, as usual, elicited a strong negative response from religious groups. It is also yet to be seen whether courts, service providers, and private companies will uphold the ruling.

Poly reality show wraps; stars grace Dr. Drew and radio

The poly community has been anxiously following the reality show Polyamory: Married and Dating since it premiered on July 12th on Showtime. Many folks have written posts and reviews of the show. Now, the seven-episode-long season has concluded, the last of the recaps are being written, and the stars of the show are hitting the media circuit.

Alan M. wrote about episodes 4 and 5, episode 6 (which he called "the best, most serious, most moving episode yet"), and the final episode. Modern Poly has continued publishing recaps as well. Alan sums up his feelings about the show succinctly:

My own view remains that for all the imperfections and humanity of the cast, the show is the best thing that has happened for public understanding of polyamory in ages.

The San Diego quad (Kamala, Michael, Jen, and Tahl) even made an appearance on the Dr. Drew Show, which thankfully didn't go as badly as expected, while two members of the triad, Anthony and Vanessa, were interviewed for the Polyamory Weekly podcast as well as on KPFA public radio.

You can follow the show on Facebook and follow the quad on Facebook to keep track of upcoming appearances. It is unknown whether the show will be renewed for a second season.