Polyamory and Polygamy

Historical Perspective

Several communities and movements that promoted forms of nonmonogamy influenced the evolution of polyamory, including the practice of polygamy by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early to mid-19th century. Over the past two centuries, several additional communities have practiced multipartner relationships, such as complex marriage in the Oneida Community, in which all members of the community were married and had (hetero)sexual access to each other. Additionally, the first wave of the sexual revolution in the early 20th century encouraged freedom from relational and familial hegemonic patriarchy, while the second sexual revolution of the 1960s and the feminist movement promoted sexual liberation and various forms of nonmonogamies.

In addition to political support, polyamory received attention in popular media and literature. Robert Heinlein's 1960s Stranger in a Strange Land and other literature that followed encouraged alternative forms of intimate relating that promotes various ideals of polyamorous living and challenges conventional ideals of monogamy. As the poly movement grew, publications continued that promoted the advantages of polyamory, further increasing its visibility. For example, Loving More magazine was founded to organize and support the poly community, and authors such as Deborah Anapol and Ryam Nearing have released several books that describe polyamorous values. In addition, several recent films portray poly struggles and realities, and a few were publicized on popular television channels such as the MTV documentaries Sex in the 90's: It's a Group Thing and True Life and TLC's Strange Sex.

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