TT: Polyamory 201

Another outline that never saw the light of day. But for this one, I was just mulling it around in my mind and maybe even mentioned it here and there. It would've been a lot, and each issue here really just needs its own dedicated presentation.

Ease Into It

1. Introductions
   • Name
   • Pronouns
   • orientation, if applicable (usually volunteered without prompting)
   • How long they've been poly, current configuration(s) if applicable
   • icebreaker ideas
     • 1 fun fact
     • anything you'd like to know about today's discussion
2. Purpose of Discussion
   • to talk about the tough topics people want to gloss over
   • to stress the importance of politics in people's lives (some people's lives are inherently political)
   • (a third)
   • also mention intersectionality and kyriarchy
3. REMINDER: this is 201 but because of the material, should this be a 101?
   • basic polyam terminology may not be discussed
   • but newer audience should come away with how important this is, going forward

The Topics Themselves

Be brief as possible to allow for discussion.

• Sexism
  • [refer to someone else; a woman or non-man can speak here]
• Racism
  • Oh, I got this one.
  • Prejudice + POWER; it's not just discrimination. The systematic oppression is SYSTEMATIC.
  • Dictionary definitions tend to ignore societal impact of such
• queerphobia/homophobia, and heteronormativity
• transphobia and cissexism
• biphobia
  • "bi men are gross..."
  • "...but girl-on-girl is hot"
  • [tap other speakers in, various genders if possible]
  • and mention the Unicorn Hunter problem
• Neurodiversity
• Mental Health
• Ableism and Accessibility
• Classism and Couple's Privilege
• Miscellaneous...
  • "Oppression Olympics"
  • Intersectionality

Common Arguments

Allow pauses for questions or clarifications. ...And take note of any you heard in discussions so far.

• "But it's just a preference!"
  • Preferences don't happen in a vacuum
• "Your Poly Is Not My Poly"
  • is the new YKINMK
  • used to gloss over legit criticism

Outro

• last chance to bring up anything
• more loose discussion, if needed
• restate purpose of this discussion
  • to be more mindful of potential partners
  • to unpack bigotry, overt and otherwise
    • especially the insidious stuff!
• Social Justice is here to stay, deal with it.