[UUPoly-L] GA in Portland

["PDX Couple" <pdx-couple@comcast.net>]

The UUPA booth is in the exhibit hall on the left side.  Next to the 
Interweave booth across from the Chalice Art booth.

I worked at the UUPA booth several hours today and it was a facinating 
experience.  I think we have three new members.  Young people as well as 
older people stopped and asked questions.  Lots of questions.  You would see 
them looking at the banner with a pussled looked.  Then you look at them and 
smile real big and ask if they had a question?  Do you know what polyamory 
it?  Well I'm not sure.  Boom you are off into a conversation.  Asking them 
questions.  Answering theirs.  Increasing the poly awareness with other UUs. 
Most wanted to know about your personal experience.

People from my own church here in Portland wanted to know about polys in our 
big church.  My reply was there there are several poly families but they are 
out to only a very small group.  That being poly at 1st Church is not safe. 
That the senior minister specifically told me not to do it.  Just resist the 
urge.  Just say no.  That I have personally been disinvited to participate 
in any of the BGLT activities even though I'm bi.  "People also know you are 
poly and that makes them nervious" I was told.  I shared my story with a 
church board member and he was surprised to hear that.  He said he said he 
has worked in 1st & 2nd grades in RE.  He said we have all kinds of 
families.  Two moms, two dads, biracial and everything in between.  Yes I 
said but you did not see two daddies and a mom, or two moms and a daddy.  He 
looked puzzeled and admitted he had not.  I told him there is a reason you 
don't see that at 1st Church.  Then he really understood.

All my efforts at the booth this week will be worth it by having the 
opportunity to have that one conversation.  He then pick up a bunch of our 
literature.

One man told me about his poly family.  5 adults. All males.
Asked about how his church felt about it and he said he has never asked them 
because he didn't care.  That his family whick he refered to as a clump, was 
well accepted in the neighborhood.  They are the that queer house on our 
block.   Was refreshing to see someone willing to live and let live and if 
you don't like the way I live then get over it.

Several women told me about living with another couple.  They all said they 
loved each other and that it was working well for them.  That there were 
rough spots in the start up.  Lots of the young adults loved the button that 
states:  "I (red heart) > 1".  They get it instantly.  Some of the older 
people had to have it explained.  Then the comment would be Oh that is 
cleaver.

Looking forward to the rest of the week.  Some very good workshops and 
working the booth is very rewarding.

Doug Walters
Portland, OR