[UUPoly-L] Whoops, Overreaching there Dave.

[Darlene Pagano <dpagano@igc.org>]

>Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 15:38:47 +0000
>From: polyfi@comcast.net
>Subject: [UUPoly-L]  Poly reality

>I hope that the upcominhg uupa.org, and UU GA's in Portland, will AT THE LEAST, express their support for polygamists in Utah.  I'm not saying we accept polyamy as part of the "normal" polyamory, because it in fact predated modern polyamory. But, the struggle in Utah, is also "our struggle", because if they do not win civil rights, then we will never win them, not even under the UU umbrella.

Dear Dave and all, 
So here's my response: NO, it is not a poly issue and NO it is not a civil rights issue. My reasons: Historic Mormon polygamy and contemporary Fundamentalist LDS polygamy allow NO woman the ability to express or act out her desire for any other partner except the MAN to whom she is married. Polyamory for women is Impossible. And if it is a temple sealed marriage, that extends in to her eternal, celestial life as well.  If the right for polygamous marriages is extended to Mormons, that right will therefore be extended only to MEN. (by definition <which you don't want us to get into, I do understand> Polygamy means multiple wives <always defined as women> for one man, never multiple partners for women <nor male partners for men>) It is not a civil right for PEOPLE, it is a special priviledge extended to Mormon men.    Mormon wives are each individually married to one man, they are not mutually married into a group and in no way married to each other. 
I would also dare to say, that any systems that allows for full expression by men, but forbids ANY such expressiion for women, is flat-out sexist, <and I could also go into the homophobia> and therefore not in accord with UU principals.   But that's my theology, YMMV. 
Last point, it is interesting to me that this seems to be a current discussion on several poly lists, and yet the framing is always how WE <the particular poly flavor/identity of the list> should be defending LDS Polygamy, and yet there has NEVER been a call from any LDS group asking for Poly folk to join/identify with/support them.   Coalition needs the agreement of all factions, or it isn't a coalition. 

Regards, 
Darlene

PS, I look forward to the UUPA presence at GA next month.  It will be my first. 



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