Poly Boston is an informal group that hosts events for poly (or questioning) people in the general Boston area. Our events are mainly discussion groups and support groups, but other events happen as well. Our web page is
http://boston.polyamory.org/
Polyamory (or 'poly') is having or being able to have consensual, honest, respectful relationships with more than one person at a time, or being able to romantically love more than one person at once. Other phrases used similarly are 'open relationships' and 'responsible nonmonogamy.'
announce@boston.polyamory.org
is a mailing list for poly, poly-curious, and poly-friendly people in the Boston area on which Poly Boston events (and other local poly events) are announced.To subscribe, send mail to
majordomo@boston.polyamory.org
with the text "subscribe announce" in the body of your message. You'll get an automated reply, which you'll need to reply to. If you have trouble, send mail to js+poly@aq.org.
Various types of events are posted on the announcements list. Most of them used to be discussion groups and parties, but now they've gotten more diverse. Here are some of them:
Usually these are about particular topics (chosen in advance); sometimes they're more free-form
Regular discussion groups are held on the second Thursday and fourth Wednesday of each month. (Mail
js+poly@aq.org
or subscribe to the announcements list for details.) Others happen whenever somebody chooses to host one; the groups average about one a week.
These are held at the Fenway Community Health Center on the second and fourth Monday of each month. They are more formal, and generally smaller, than the discussion groups and have a stricter set of ground rules to create a safe, supportive environment.
People often announce parties to the announce list.
Other events have included trips to zoos, amusement parks, bowling alleys, the Arboretum, movies, and the like.
While these events provide an opportunity to meet a diverse collection of friendly, interesting people, and it is certainly possible that you might meet the loves of your life at one, they are not a dating service. If you approach them as such, you will be disappointed, and you may annoy people.
Family Tree is a long-standing poly organization in the general Boston area (but more geographically dispersed than Poly Boston). They have a web site at
http://ftree.contra.org/
and a paper newsletter. They host regular discussion groups, parties, and socials.
The Boston poly community I'm a part of is disproportionately bi. If you happen to be bi, you may also be interested in Biversity Boston at
www.biresource.org/biversity/
They have regular brunches and discussion groups, as well as parties, an annual camping trip, and the like.
If you happen to be a bi woman, you may also be interested in the Boston Bisexual Women's Network at
www.biresource.org/bbwn/
There are lots of poly web sites, books, magazines, mailing lists, and organizations. You can find many of them through the sites below.
Much useful information about polyamory is available at
http://www.polyamory.org/
If I had to pick one web site about polyamory, this would be it.
The values of safer sex are well ingrained in many organized poly communities, including this one. The Society for Human Sexuality has safer-sex information at
www.sexuality.org/safersex.html
Of course, you don't have to be poly to find this material useful.
Loving More, at
http://www.lovemore.com/
is a print magazine with a strong online presence. They also host a number of mailing lists.
You can leave a message at 617/927-6058 to learn more about the poly support group that meets at the Fenway (e.g. if you need directions, or to find out when upcoming meetings are).
Loving More is a quarterly national magazine for and about poly people. You can order a sample issue (for $6), subscribe, or join Loving More by calling 800/424-9561, or get more information by calling 303/543-7540. Or you can write to
Loving More
Box 4358
Boulder, CO 80306-4358
They also sell a number of books.
This pamphlet was written by Jay Sekora on June 10, 1999, and most recently updated on March 25, 2000. I apologize for any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations. If you have suggestions to improve this pamphlet, or questions about the Boston poly community, you may send me email at js+poly@aq.org.