[UUPoly-L] Introduction of myself and the Chicago Poly Conference

[Alan Salmi <alan.salmi@yahoo.com>]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to the list, so I though I would give an introduction.  I will officially be a member of the Unitarian Church of Evanston on Feb. 22nd if all the paperwork goes through, although some years ago, I was a member of 2nd Unitarian in Chicago.  I have been a lifelong spiritual pilgrim and identify myself primarily as a NeoPagan Hermeticist with Taoist leanings (I know, it's a mouthful!). After some reflection last year, I "came out" poly after dating a wonderful woman who was poly and a professional philosopher.  While that has transformed into a friendship (largely due to the one hour of distance between us), it led me to a new label for myself.

I have to admit, however, that the signs were there from early on:  I got to know the boyfriend of the girl I had a mad crush on in highschool, with no jealousy, I read Heinlein, went to science fiction conventions where experimentation in relationships was common (even before the word polyamory was invented by Morning Glory and Oberon) and had a relationship with a girlfriend who was a "groupie" of an particular band member (what the hell, I thought, every woman in the audience wanted the guy and he wanted MY girlfriend, which I took as a large compliment!).  So, that label became appropriate.

Since then, I've been trying to read poly books, listening with some regularity to Cunning Minx's podcast and going to her book club a few times (she's here in Chicago with me).  I've also become involved with organizing the Chicago Polyamory Conference, our first attempt here in the Windy City to do a hotel style convention with guest speakers, etc.  We have several people giving talks:  Robyn Trask (founder of Loving More), Cunning Minx (well worth hearing from all her adventures with the podcast), Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (from the "first family of polyamory" and a personal favorite of mine), Pepper Mint (an activist from San Francisco) and Lakshmi Devi and Ananda Santosha (tantric teachers and poly coaches).  

So, in this economy, we offer a great chance to meet other poly folks in a nice warm hotel in the midwest for a great price.  We need early registrants to make this thing happen, so check out the site:  http://chipolycon.org/

Finally, if there are list members in the Chicago area, I'd be interested in knowing, perhaps we can do a UU Poly meeting here!

Love more,


Alan Salmi, L.C.S.W.
Psychotherapist
Consultant
Lecturer
"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
 -Frank Zappa