[UUPoly-L] GA Day 1

["Moonstorm Erosong" <mnstrm@erosong.net>]

So, here we are, half a day into General Assembly.  I was the UUPA booth in the exhibit hall for most of the time from 12:00 noon til 7:00 PM, and already I have a bunch of interesting encounters to report.  
 
First woman:  "I'm an OWL facilitator trainer, and before your presentation in Boston I didn't think I could bring myself to talk to kids about polyamory.  But after hearing your presentation, I was able to understand what it was all about, and I said to myself, 'I can talk about this'."
 
Second woman:  "I was at the Pacific Northwest Dictrict Annual General Meeting last winter in Boisie, and I was in the room when you made your confrontation of UUA President Bill Sinkford.  I just want you to know that I thought his answer to you was a crappy one.  How could a black man seriously tell another oppressed minority that they need to wait their turn--that it's not yet their time for justice?"
 
Third woman:  "After your presentation at the Boston GA, there was a national newspaper article about polyamory among UUs.  At our next Sunday church service this newspaper article was mentioned from the pulpit, saying people could expect to be asked questions about it.  Someone said, perhaps we should talk about how we would answer such questions.  Some people said, yes, but this is not the time during the church service.  Then others said, no, this is the perfect time to talk about it.  And then there was a twenty minute discussion involving everybody, and some people said, it's not enough that we affirm worth and dignity generally--we must be able to affirm the worth and dignity of these people (polys) specifically.   After the discussion we went back to the church service program."
 
A young couple:  "We're partners, but we live a long way apart and don't get to see each other very much.  We're really wondering if having an open relationship might enable us to sustain our love across the great distance.  We've been looking for a source of information about polyamory."
 
A man:  "I'm the business manager of UU World Magazine, and it's nice to have your ad in every issue."
 
Another young man:  "Didn't you talk in a workshop at the Long Beach GA?  It made a big difference for me to hear the problems that the poly woman who spoke was having with being poly in her church."
 
Another man:  "Oh!  I thought it said 'pulmonary'.."
 
I had numerous other contacts with people who didn't know what polyamory was when they walked up to our booth, but left thanking us for being there.
 
Folks, in a few short hours I got to see that what we're doing is having a tangible impact on the hearts and minds of UUs accross the country.  I'll keep you informed.
 
Bear, our table is in booth 328 in the exhibit hall, off to the far left as you enter the hall, right next to the interweave booth and accross the isle from a beautiful display of chalice artists.  Please come by and see us.  
 
Blessings,
 
'Storm
Moonstorm Erosong
mnstrm@erosong.net
 
P.S.:  In the opening ceremonies Wednesday evening, there was, as usual, a lot said about the UUA's intention to become accepting and inclusive of all diversity--GLBT, persons with disabilities, people of all races.  Not a word about people who chose multipartner families.  We still have a lot of work to do.