A poly partner who now wants monogamy, an accidental triad, and more
Chicago Reader
by Dan Savage
QI’m a married 28-year-old male. My partner and I are conflicted over the level of openness in our relationship. She describes herself as “postmononormative.” I consider myself GGG. While I know that she wants me to be her life companion, she has expressed a need for novel experiences that may not include me. While I accept that there is no essential link between erotic love and long-term partnership, I reject the polyamorous notion that love is limitless—when she’s misinterpreted conversations and transgressed boundaries, it has always coincided with the neglect of our own relationship. I have given up seeking the moral high ground and just want to find a solution. Should I have polyamorous relationships of my own? Or should I focus on cultivating shared erotic experiences with my partner? And do her transgressions mean that the boundaries we’ve set are not explicit or generous enough? —Nonnormative Problems
AI don’t think retaliatory polyamory is healthy or sustainable. (“I don’t want to have other partners, but if you’re going to have other partners, then so am I! Let’s see how you like it!”) And while you can focus on cultivating shared erotic experiences, NNP, your partner has made it clear that she needs—and intends to have—novel experiences that don’t include you. And while her transgressions may mean the boundaries you’ve set aren’t explicit or generous enough, NNP, it’s likelier that your partner gets off on transgression. Some people do.
I think you’re confused, NNP, and your confusion stems from the fact that your partner is negotiating with you about her nonnegotiable terms. She’s going to do who and what she wants whether you like it or not, and she’s going to hide behind “postmononormative” labels and claims that conversations were misinterpreted if that’s what it takes. Accept her terms or divorce her ass, but stop deluding yourself. …