SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE NEWSLETTER
Growing awareness of polyamory in Cascadia
The Pacific Northwest has a reputation for being open to new social movements and lifestyle choices, and polyamory is no exception. Triads, polycules, and all sorts of relationship combinations of more than two people are practically the norm in Portland–and Seattle and Vancouver aren’t far behind.
In a fascinating feature now online at Cascadia Magazine, journalist and relationship columnist Karin Jones interviews a wide variety of people throughout the region who identify as either polyamorous (able to openly love two people at the same time) or consensually non-monogamous (people in relationships in which sex with other people is openly acknowledged and allowed).
It’s not an easy lifestyle choice, and as a result, a host of new support groups and meetups are springing up across the region to help those who choose a non-mongamous lifestyle address the “sticky issues” of jealousy, time management, and communication.
In Karin’s article, you’ll meet people like Scott and Brittany, who live in a small town in north of Seattle, and who are former Mormons who took the leap and opened up their marriage. “Over a quiet dinner, Scott mustered the courage to ask Brittany, “Does it ever make you sad that you’ve had your last first kiss?” Her reaction wasn’t anger or horror. Her reply was, “Yes.” “
I’ll confess I’m not completely unbiased on this issue. I’ve been consensually non-monogamous for nearly ten years, and polyamorous for the past two years or so. It’s not easy–it requires constant communication, honesty, and setting clear boundaries. And it requires diligent work on your issues–both as an individual and as a couple. Though it certainly has its benefits, polyamory brings your anxieties and insecurities to the forefront. As UBC professor Carrie Jenkins says in the article: “Non-monogamy forces you to do a lot of the work that is important to do anyway.”
I think you’ll find Karin’s article is powerful, empathetic, and challenges tightly-held assumptions about relationships. –Andrew Engelson
Join us Sept. 13 for an evening of Words & Ideas
This is going to be a fascinating evening of readings you won’t want to miss. And Seattle public radio station KUOW will be there, recording the event for its Speakers Forum show! Find out more here, or RSVP at our Facebook event page.
Court rules 6 First Nations can continue challenge of pipeline
The Star Vancouver reports on a Canadian federal court ruling that affirmed that six First Nations’ legal challenge of expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline can continue. The challenge asserts that First Nations were not adequately consulted during the federal approval process for the pipeline, which would increase tanker traffic seven times over in the Salish Sea.
Seattle and King County announce new plan to confront homelessness
David Kroman at Crosscut reports on a new initiative by the city of Seattle and King County (which includes Seattle’s suburbs) to form a new, collaborative government entity to address the regional problem of homelessness. Whether the new effort will have sufficient funds is uncertain, but Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan admitted in a public announcement “We know what we’ve done before has not worked.” In related news, Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart has proposed taking power away from an independent park board in order to address the large homeless camp in the city’s Oppenheimer Park.
Idaho want to expand Medicaid: Trump says “no”
The Inlander reports on a remarkable development in Idaho’s bid to expand access to the Medicaid health care system for low-income residents of the state. After Idaho voters overwhelmingly voted to increase access, the Trump administration came back this week rejecting a request for a waiver that would allow Idahoans who earn “100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level” to buy health insurance on the state exchange. “They pulled the rug out from under us” said Republican governor Brad Little of the US government decision.
Can relocation save the sage grouse?
Courtney Flatt at NWPB looks at efforts to save the endangered sage grouse of eastern and central Washington–and new studies by biologists suggest that relocating some of the birds to relatively undeveloped places such as the Yakima Training Center can restore populations.
Time-Based-Art Festival gets underway in Portland
Oregon Art Watch previews Portland’s Time-Based-Art Festival, a 10-day inter-disciplinary celebration of performance, music, visual art, film, workshops, lectures, and after-hours parties. The lineup looks extraordinary, with tons of POC, LGBTQ, and fringe works on offer– everything from This Bridge Called My Ass, a critique of white feminism, to traditional flamenco. The festival runs Sept 5-15, more info here.
An interview with poet Alex Gallo-Brown
Crosscut interviews Seattle-based poet Alex Gallo-Brown, who has a new collection of poems and short fiction out called Variations of Labor– that explores the nature of work, both paid and unpaid, in our society. “I don’t think low-wage workers get much of a voice in the culture. Most of the culture people are consuming is being created by people who [are] probably on the other side of things.”
That’s Cascadia Daily’s selection for today of news, arts, culture, and relationships that openly allow sex with other people. Hope you enjoyed it! See you tomorrow. –Andrew Engelson
Photo credits: John and Gabriella by Thomas Teal