Author: Tristan Taormino

Review of Opening Up at Pop My Cherry Review

Domina Doll over at Pop My Cherry Review recently read and reviewed Opening Up. She gives a great run-down of the various chapters and topics covered in the book, giving it her stamp of approval:

The highlight of the book is the real life experiences Taormino uses with quotes, stories and advice from a diverse group of people who share their desires, fears, challenges, solutions, successes and failures with the reader to provide meaningful context. This book is really a thoughtful and comprehensive guide on open relationships of all kinds, leaving no stone unturned. Enlightening, inspirational, and practical, this book is for anyone interested in or already living in responsible nonmonogamous relationships. It is a huge resource that I’m sure would benefit anyone wanting to explore or are curious about how these relationships work.

Thanks, Domina! Go check out her review.

Poly Weekly podcast examines Charlie Sheen and reality TV

A recent episode of the Poly Weekly podcast tackled the theme of poly in the media. With all the hullabuloo about Charlie Sheen lately, along with the premiere of season two of Sister Wives, I found this topic very timely.

The podcast host, Cunning Minx, discusses whether the poly community should accept Charlie Sheen as one of their own, despite the fact that he is not "doing it terribly responsibly." She notes that in news reports surrounding Sheen's antics, the poly aspect of his life is sometimes "the smallest of his deviations from the standard," which could mean that polyamory is becoming more mainstream.

Cunning Minx also references this blog post about polyamory and Sheen, which has some advice for poly folks:

. . . we can set ourselves apart from this kind of thing [Charlie Sheen] by stressing at every opportunity the thoughtfulness, consideration, respect, communication, self-knowledge, and goodwill that are required to make polyamory work well. And by setting good examples.

The podcast also touches on the TLC reality show Sister Wives, which depicts one man and his four female partners.

Loving Choices Seminar coming up

Loving More is hosting a one-day poly seminar on April 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. There will be a variety of presentations and workshops such as "Battling the Eight-Armed Octopus of Jealousy!" and "Polyamory from a Minority Perspective." The seminar is meant for anyone and everyone who wants to learn about, explore, or improve polyamorous relationships:

Who says that love has to follow a specific set of rules that limit how you love others? Do you feel like you can't be your honest self? Are you already involved in a polyamorous relationship and looking to improve your relationship skills and meet people of like mind? We invite you to attend the Loving Choices seminar, build new relationship skills, meet amazing people and have fun.

In addition to the seminar, there is a Cuddle Party on April 22, which is described as:

A structured, safe workshop on boundaries, communication, intimacy and affection . . . This playful, fun workshop has been a place for people to rediscover non-sexual touch and affection, a space to reframe assumptions about men and women, and a great networking event to meet new friends, roommates, business partners and significant others.

The seminar is $49; register here. The Cuddle Party is $20, or $12 with seminar registration.

2011 World Polyamory Association Annual Conference

The World Polyamory Association is gearing up for its 2011 annual conference, which will be held July 29 - 31 at the Harbin Hot Springs Conference Center in Northern California. There will be a wealth of exciting activities to participate in, such as panel discussions, poly-tantra, and poly relationship commitment rituals. At this conference you can meet new friends and possible lovers, and converse with like-minded folks about poly issues.

Join us in an intensive, playful, entertaining, active, respectful, informative participatory sharing, learning opportunity for networking and celebrating polyamorous conclave consciousness for a weekend.

This year we move again into our favorite venue, Harbin's Conference Center. It's our private, gated, sex-positive celebrative community, complete with its own huge group room, breakaway areas, two hot pools and camping area. Harbin Caterers dish up yummy food. Camp, sleep in a group room or your RV.

Sounds awesome! The association is still taking applications for presenters, and tickets to the conference are sold on their website.