So I guess we're official. Milwaukee's liberal paper, The Shepherd Express, has mentioned us via their sex columnist on SexPress. I hope this brings about good tidings for the group, the community, and the city. I hope it shows people that we're more open than people believe; I also hope it allows others interested in poly or involved in poly to come forward and be a part of the community.

Recently, Nyla, Elle, and I met with some new, young, poly friends. Betty and Dan (not their real names) were very inquisitive, open-minded, and sweet. We've not really had much experience with the younger poly crowd, as people in our age bracket seem to be insecure about their own position in the world and in the community. Dan said something to us that I think rings true for a lot of those interested in poly or just starting out. "Is this normal? I mean, is what we're doing - what we're going through - normal?" Polyamory, in short, is not normal; or, rather, it's not the accepted norm. However, there are some situations that are normal for a poly relationship. So I replied with "Yes. You're still normal."

I think it's important for those just starting out in a poly relationship to have others to speak with who treat their relationship like it's normal. It makes it easier for people to accept, I think. If you keep it secret, then it seems like you're hiding something or that you're ashamed of it. Nyla, Elle, and I have been very open about things for the past year to most people who are regulars in our life. To them, our relationship is uncommon and unknown, but it's not strange, and they don't look at us with distaste. That, I think, is important. I also believe that having a community like the one we're building, will slowly and steadily bring about more and more knowledge and exposure to polyamory and thus allow people to be more and more accepting of it.

So thanks, Laura, for the kind exposure to us and our way of life. Thank you, more so, for allowing us the use of your space because it means a lot to have people as open-minded and kind to turn to. I think I speak for everyone in the family when I say "Welcome" to everyone who - I hope - will become part of our community.

Polyamory is the idea that someone can love more than one other person in an honest, ethical way. Polyamory is about open communication, trust, honesty, and the ability to work out problems, the least of which is jealousy. Polyamory brings out the ability to be honest not only with one's self but with one's partners. Polyamory is a non-traditional relationship style that takes many forms.

Polyamory is a type of open relationship. It is not swinging, though the mainstream media seems to have associated the two because it seems easier for people to accept recreational sex more so than ethical non-monogamy. It is also not polygamy. Even within traditional Mormon teachings, practicing plural marriage is not mainstream. Polyamory is about honesty and openness; it is not about sex; it is not about having the most wives in the village.

Starting in 2009, we will be an official group. Nyla, Elle, and I will be moderating a group here in Milwaukee that will meet monthly. We hope to make it a very discussion-based group that can focus on a great many topics related to poly, relationships, sexuality, and the like.

We will be meeting at The Tool Shed in Milwaukee. The website is: www.toolshedtoys.com. The address for the store is on the site, as is their phone number should you need it. You can also always feel free to email me if you have more specific questions. We'll be meeting the third Wednesday of each month, beginning on January 21st.

If you're planning on attending, please let me know, so I have an idea of how many people will be there and how many chairs we'll need. Please also bring some ideas for what we can do with the group. Nyla and I already have some ideas, and we'll bring those up at the group. I look forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones.

Edit: we've solidified a time for meeting at The Tool Shed. We'll be starting the meeting at 7pm. Please do show up a few minutes early, so we can start the meeting as close to 7 as possible and get out before Laura closes shop.

Hello everyone. Yeah, it's been a while, but things have been beyond hectic, and we've all been a bit out of sorts lately. Let's hope things get a little better, and we get on track. Here are a few things.

First, for those of you who may not have seen this, here is a special comment by Keith Olbermann of "Countdown" regarding Prop 8 in California. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fw.... You should watch it.

Second, we will be starting our meetings again come January at the new location of The Tool Shed in Milwaukee. It's on the East Side (we'll post the address), and we'll give you times. It will be monthly. It will be awesome.

Lastly, I received an email from a gentleman requesting a link swap. I'm all about link swaps, so here you go. There's a link here in the post, and there will be a link on the right-hand side under Poly Resources. Hope that's what you're looking for. Cheers. "For discreet, accurate
HIV testing, please visit www.localhivtesting.com!

Hope everyone is well.

Killian

Tristan Taormino has put up a new message board on her new site for her new book. Lots of new things :-) Look into it.