What would you do if you found out that the mom you shared carpool duties with was a dominatrix at night? Or what if that cute couple next door wasn't really a couple—but a threesome or a foursome? How would you react?

Well, you better get used to it, because all across America, in sleepy suburbs just like yours, moms are hiding secrets. In Part 3 of momlogic's "Secrets in the Suburbs" series, we pierce the veil of secrecy surrounding the mysterious and often secret world of polyamory. In Relationships, Does "Normal" Exist?

Meet Robyn. She's … Read More

Deciding to talk about your romantic past is a big dating decision. Some people prefer not to talk about their former honeys. Others want to know your number and their names—so they can look up your exes on Facebook. What you share is up to you (feel free to omit the goateed Bon Jovi fan you accompanied home after last summer's concert)—except when your past lovers are also your current ones. Confused? That's how Katherine Ruppe, this week's New York Times Modern Love essayist, felt when she found out that her new date was in an open relationship.

Call … Read More

I've been really lucky. I have parents who have always told me that just because everyone else is doing it, does not mean that I have to do it too. I have a husband who has been willing to cast aside any pre-conceived notions he had about love and sex and marriage and relationships. I have a girlfriend who has let go of any socially contrived expectations in the name of being happy by following her own path instead of a path that others have prescribed for her. But last night, something happened.

You see, although I have been lucky to … Read More

In this holiday season of gratitude and giving, I wanted to express my thanks for this forum in which to speak, and for all of you. I don't take lightly this opportunity, which allows me to share my thoughts and ideas despite their being considered less than typical in some circles. 

I am grateful too for the places in which I can "preach to the choir," so to speak. But here, I so very much value the chance to talk to people who, though different from me, are here to read with open minds and hearts, people who, like myself, … Read More

Love Buzz loves a good open marriage story. This one comes from Page Six Magazine, which features the story of Neal and Claire Boulton. According to the mag,

"Over the past year and a half, Neal has been portrayed in NYC gossip columns as: 1) The happily married editor in chief of Men's Fitness magazine. 2) A secretly gay guy who had an affair with Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner and was hospitalized after mysteriously leaving his job. 3) A bisexual, unemployed adulterer. 4) Most recently, the secretly straight but still slutty editor in chief of the … Read More

"Monogamy Is Good, And It's Here To Stay." I was leery about this piece the minute I saw the title. But as soon as I read it and saw the word "fad" used to describe the kind of relationship that I have been deliriously happy in for years (and the kind hundreds of other people I have met have been in for decades) I knew I was dealing with a classic case of fear and misunderstanding—a dangerous mix. I thought I might simply reply in the comments section, but I quickly realized that I had way too much … Read More

What about jealousy? It's the question everyone asks.  I thought I would focus on two emails I received on the subject, one from someone who is not married and one from someone who is; both people are dealing with the issue that always seems to come up whenever polyamory is discussed: jealousy.

Question: I am a bisexual woman and am in an open relationship. We have three major rules: no secrets, if we hook up with other people, we do it together, and no kissing other partners. We've had both good and bad experiences with both couples and … Read More

If you're a regular YourTango reader you might be familiar with open relationships. Jenny Block, YourTango writer and author of the book Open: Love, Sex and Life in an Open Marriage, has both a husband and a girlfriend. Dan Eldridge, who pens the blog Marriage Without Monogamy, also has an non-monogamous long-term relationship. But YourTango isn't the only media outlet to tell the stories of people in open relationships.

Set your DVR now, because tonight at 10/9c WE tv is airing an open marriage episode of their series, The … Read More

Amidst a crowded dance floor, a slender blonde woman leaned over to whisper in my ear. "You're a very attractive couple," she purred. I smiled at her—an ego boost is always nice—and continued dancing with my boyfriend. The man with her gave me a high-five and kept flashing smiles my way. Was he trying to hit on me? It could not have been anymore clear: I was there with my boyfriend.

"You can't judge a book by its cover," the old adage goes. But we do, all the time. He's a player. She's a slut. He's uptight. She's frigid. Each of these titles comes from a different outward appearance and each suggests traits of the people behind the face, or inside the clothes. And it's not just personalities that people assume. It's also relationship styles.