Anarchism and Sexuality
https://www.academia.edu/2312724/Anarchism_and_Sexuality

Sexualities, 2010

Jamie Heckert

https://www.academia.edu/5014568/Fucking_with_each_other_Bachelor_of_Arts_Honours_thesis
Fucking with each other: Bachelor of Arts Honours thesis

Nollie Nahrung

'Fucking with each other' explores identity, subjectivity, power, politics and pleasure through the lived experience of a heterosexual, polyamorous, child-free, white woman in contemporary Australia.

It examines the tensions and pleasures of benefiting from heterosexual privilege while simultaneously being marginalised by mononormativity and pronatalism, revealing a liminal subject position within heteronormative discourses.

In examining this position, the concept of queer, or non-normative, heterosexuality, is engaged. As this indicates, the research is informed by queer theory, and additionally draws from feminist and anarchist perspectives, evidencing a polyamorous relationship with theory.

Further, the project employs a polyamorous research approach, using writing as a method of inquiry, facilitated through poststructuralist autoethnography, and deconstructive textual practices.

This work traverses disciplinary boundaries, drawing from cultural studies, writing, and graphic design to present a lively and experimental text. Including three autoethnographic chapters, with a critical essay accompanying each, this thesis is presented as an open text that invites conversation, or dialogue, with the reader.

Unstraightening: Ethical adventures with queer heterosexuality in an open text

Nollie Nahrung

Charlie Rich sang that ‘no-one knows what goes on behind closed doors’. And with the (normatively bedroom) doors firmly shut, the heteronormative privilege to privacy is invoked, drawing the doona of homogeneity over heterosexuality. Yet what may be gained from opening closed doors from the inside?

Ethical writing considerations will be explored in the context of why, through the creation of an autoethnographic text for my Honours research project, I have decided to reject the privilege of privacy to examine my lived experience of heterosexual polyamory. This discussion will engage with the productive debates surrounding queer heterosexuality to explore the possibilities and limitations of writing against normativity while simultaneously holding a position of heterosexual privilege.

In doing so, this paper will consider how the construction of an open text, that includes tools (scalpel and pencil) and spaces (blank right hand pages) for the reader to respond, may acknowledge the limitations of speaking about the self by opening the project to other voices and experiences.

It will outline how the construction of such a text supports a belief that autoethnography holds significant potential to promote research as dialogue, or conversation. Yet, through constructing a text as the site of intended reciprocal exchange, what are the ethics of placing both author and reader in positions that may prove unfamiliar and perhaps uncomfortable?

Whatever happened to non-monogamies? Critical reflections on recent research and theory

https://www.academia.edu/14427497/Whatever_happened_to_non-monogamies_Critical_reflections_on_recent_research_and_theory

Sexualities, 2010

Meg-John Barker

Darren Langdridge

Darren Langdridge

Darren Langdridge

The last decade has seen an explosion of interest in consensually non-monogamous relationships. This article critically reviews current research and theory in this area, focusing particularly on polyamory, swinging, and gay open relationships. The sociohistorical context in which these forms of relating emerged is considered and discussed in order to better understand why there has been such a significant increase in scholarly work on non-monogamies at this moment. Furthermore, we categorize the extant literature into two groups, 'celebratory' and 'critical', and argue that such polarization frequently works to reinforce partial and dichotomizing understandings of the topic. Research so far has primarily concentrated on the rules and boundaries which people employ to manage such relationships and we contend that future work needs to pay more attention to diversities of meanings and practices, intersections with other identities and communities, and the troubling of dichotomous understandings.

Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460710384645

Issue: 6

Volume: 13

Compulsory Monogamy and Polyamorous Existence.pdf

https://www.academia.edu/35902793/Compulsory_Monogamy_and_Polyamorous_Existence.pdf

Leehee Rothschild

This article examines the construction of monogamy as a social institution  through  various  discursive  fields.  It  shows  how  religion,  sexology,  psychology, law and popular science all play a part in the normalisation and naturalisation of monogamy as the only normal, healthy and moral way to maintain a romantic relationship. It goes to further show how a traditional gender binary and a sexual double  standard  are  constructed  as  a  part  of  this  mononormativity  in  each  and  every one of those discursive fields. Following that, the article looks into polyamory through a queer and feminist lens, and explores its theoretical potential in subverting  these  patriarchal  conceptions.  It  then  suggests  the  idea  of  the  ‘polyamorous
continuum’ and the ‘polyamorous existence’ as an alternative paradigm to the institution of monogamy. It is a paradigm that allows for a broader spectrum of relationship formations, including ones that feature elements of sexual and/or romantic exclusivity, which are bereft of the patriarchal elements of mononormativity.

The Rise of Polyamory: Positive Change for the Western Heteronormative Nuclear Family

Jennifer M

Polyamory is a relationship practice that allows for open, honest communication, equality, and power sharing through allowing access to multiple partners and a change in the heteronormative, monogamous structures in today’s society.  As this practice continues to show up in our media and culture, some are embracing the acceptability of alternative sexualities.  This paper explores the sociological characteristics of polyamorists; how this mindset can support a broader societal acceptance of many perspectives; and the philosophical ramifications of such a practice becoming a part of the identity spectrum.  Through literature review and an analysis of research, this paper will show how Polyamory is a critical relationship orientation that will help bring equality and empowerment to practitioners and change to the heteronormative nuclear family necessary for the twenty-first century.
https://www.academia.edu/12356058/The_Rise_of_Polyamory_Positive_Change_for_the_Western_Heteronormative_Nuclear_Family