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.
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