Woodhull Endorses International Day of Visibility for Non-Monogamy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — July 15, 2023 — Washington, DC
Woodhull Freedom Foundation is proud to join The Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy (OPEN) in announcing the inaugural Day of Visibility for Non-Monogamy on July 15, 2023 – a shared day of action to promote awareness and acceptance of consensual non-monogamy in all its varieties. With community events occurring in various cities around the world, the growing movement to normalize non-monogamy is working toward a future where romantic and intimate relationships between consenting adults are accepted and protected regardless of relationship structure, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
What is consensual non-monogamy? Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) – also referred to as ethical non-monogamy or simply non-monogamy – describes a range of relationship styles and structures that involve multiple romantic, intimate, or sexual partners, with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved. ENM is an umbrella term that encompasses practices including polyamory, open relationships, swinging (also known as the “lifestyle”), and more.
In just the last three years, non-monogamous families and relationships have begun to gain formal legal rights and protection in the US. In 2020, the city of Sommerville, MA began granting domestic partnership status to multi-partner groups, soon followed by Cambridge and Arlington, MA. In March 2023, the city of Sommerville, MA, again led the nation by implementing non-discrimination protections on the basis of “family and relationship structure”; a similar bill has been introduced in Cambridge, MA, and is also being considered by other municipalities across the country.
The Day of Visibility for Non-Monogamy is being coordinated by OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing cultural acceptance and political rights for non-monogamous families and relationships.
“Non-monogamous families and relationships deserve to be accepted and respected like any other,” said Brett Chamberlin, OPEN’s executive director. “Through visibility and community action, we can push back against the longstanding stigma around non-monogamy.”
“Woodhull is proud to be a part of the inaugural Day of Visibility. The right to create a unique and loving family and relationship style are human rights, and we’re proud to stand in solidarity with OPEN and other endorsers today,” said Mandy Sally, COO of Woodhull Freedom Foundation.
Events celebrating the Day of Visibility for Non-Monogamy are happening in multiple cities internationally, from London to Lisbon to Louisville to Los Angeles and beyond. To see a list of in-person community events, visit the Day of Visibility Event Calendar powered by Bloom.
In addition to OPEN, the Day of Visibility is also supported by a range of organizations and allies including: Asexual Visibility and Education Network, Bay Area Poly Happy Hour, Bloom Community, Bonobo Network, CANDID, Casa Galenia, Center for Positive Sexuality, Chosen Family Law Center, Evergreen Hearts, Front Porch Swingers Podcast, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, Hump Day Quickies Podcast, JOYClub, Misfits in Love, Multiamory Podcast, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, Naughty Events, The Nonbinary Polihistor, Normalizing Non-monogamy Podcast, Oasis Aqualounge, #open: Polyamorous & ENM Dating, “Open: A Journey Through Love” Documentary, Open Relating, The Pineapple Express Podcast, Playing With Fire Podcast, PolyActive, Poly Alt Parenting, Poly Pop Culture, PolyPortual, The Polyamory Foundation, Queer Polyam Boston, Radical Relating, The Root: Babies, Birth, and Beyond, Ready for Polyamory Podcast, Relationship Diversity Podcast, Sheff Consulting, Stockton Area Polyamory, Soaring Hearts Center, Stacey McLarty, Attorney – Chosen Family Law TX, The Swing Nation Podcast, and Swinger Society.
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