S2E10 Polyamory: Love and the limits of the law - with Leanne Yau aka Poly Philia

Media Storm

Warning: Some strong language

Imagine getting fired for your relationship status. Imagine a nosy neighbour deciding they knew what was better for your children. This is the reality for polyamorous people across the UK and abroad. Should we be legislating against their discrimination, rather than their perceived ‘deviation’?

This week, Media Storm speaks to polyamorous people who are trying to love within the limits of the law. We hears from top experts in the field, including Dr Sheff's 25-year-long study on polyamorous families, and the newly-formed UK Polyamory Association on changing the Equality Act.

Helena and Mathilda are joined in the studio by Leanne Yau - aka ‘Poly Philia’ - to discuss how polyamory is represented in the media, demystify the common stereotypes (they're not always having orgies all the time!), and dissect some of the latest headlines about apparently mythical ‘throuples’ and ‘threesomes’.

The episode is hosted by Mathilda Mallinson (@mathildamall) and Helena Wadia (@helenawadia), with research by Eliza Meller. The voice of 'Jane' is Olivia Baker. The voice of 'John' is Shaun Wood.

Guests:

• Leanne Yau @polyphiliablog
• Matthew Neale @matthewgneale
• Giulia Smith and Eunice, UK Polyamory Association facebook.com/UKPolyamoryAssociation
• Dr Elisabeth Sheff linktr.ee/DrEliSheff
• Jessica Levity Daylover @remodeledlove remodeledlove.com

Resources:

• Donate to UK Polyamory Association here ukpolyamory.org

Sources:

• Most of the world doesn’t practise monogamy – so when will UK law recognise polyamory instead? https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/polyamory-meaning-monogamy-uk-law-b2172833.html
• Legal Protections for People in Polyamorous Relationships https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door/202007/legal-protections-people-in-polyamorous-relationships
• Polyamory and the law https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/blog/2021/08/polyamory-and-the-law/
• The Five Most Common Legal Issues Facing Polyamorists https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door/201401/the-five-most-common-legal-issues-facing-polyamorists
• The privilege of perversities: race, class and education among polyamorists and kinksters https://elisabethsheff.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/the-privilege-of-perversities-20111.pdf
• There's a dark side of polyamory that nobody talks about https://www.insider.com/dark-side-of-polyamory-2019-2

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