Polyamorous

The practice of engaging in multiple romantic and/or sexual relationships simultaneously, with the knowledge and full consent of all parties involved.

Definition

The practice of engaging in multiple romantic and/or sexual relationships simultaneously, with the knowledge and full consent of all parties involved. Polyamory is a relationship structure - not a sexual orientation. Polyamorous people can be of any gender identity or sexual orientation.

Flag

Polyamorous flag · Designer: Red Howell · 23 November 2022

Three horizontal stripes, blue, magenta and dark purple, with a white chevron at the hoist holding a gold heart. Designed by Red Howell and chosen on 23 November 2022 by a community vote of 30,827 people, run by the PolyamProud committee. The colour values are the committee's own published specification. The 1995 pi flag is covered below and is still in use.

Colour codes: Polyamorous flag
Stripe	HEX	RGB	CMYK	Pantone	Meaning
Top stripe	`#009FE3`	0,159,227	C:100 M:0 Y:0 K:0	n/a	Openness and honesty
Middle stripe	`#E50051`	229,0,81	C:0 M:100 Y:50 K:0	n/a	Desire, love and attraction
Bottom stripe	`#340C46`	52,12,70	C:80 M:100 Y:0 K:60	n/a	A united non-monogamous community
Chevron	`#FFFFFF`	255,255,255	C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:0	n/a	Possibility; the blank canvas each person builds on
Heart	`#FCBF00`	252,191,0	C:0 M:27 Y:100 K:0	n/a	The energy and perseverance of the community

Full flag history →

Etymology

Greek poly- (many) + Latin amor (love). Coined by Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart in 1990 in the essay "A Bouquet of Lovers", published in the Green Egg pagan journal.

History

Multi-partner relationships exist throughout human history; modern polyamory emphasizes consensual, ethical non-monogamy with emotional honesty
1990 - Term "polyamory" coined by Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
1997 - The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy published
1995 - Jim Evans designs the first polyamory flag
November 23, 2022 (Polyamory Day) - Red Howell's redesign wins a community vote of 30,827 participants

Common myths

"Polyamory is just an excuse to cheat." Polyamory is defined by explicit consent and honesty. Cheating involves deception - the opposite.
"Polyamorous people can't love deeply." Love is not a finite resource. Many polyamorous people describe their relationships as profoundly committed.