Polyamorous people have multiple loving, intentional, and intimate relationships at the same time. Polyamory specifically refers to people who have multiple romantic relationships at the same time. It does not mean any type of open relationship that may include more casual sexual partners.

What if my partner is poly?

If your partner is polyamorous by nature, then your partners desire to have additional romantic partners is not your fault, nor is it his or her fault. It does not mean he or she does not love you. It just means you have different drives and different needs.

Is a poly relationship cheating?

That excuse is that its not cheating if the person is polyamorous. Someone who is polyamorous is open to having more than one romantic or sexual partner at one time. This might come as a shock to some people, but cheating is never consensual. Thats what makes it cheating.

Is polyamory the same as an open relationship?

Polyamory means having multiple romantic relationships at the same time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. An open relationship is a relationship where the parties are free to take new partners. The terms both fall under the heading of “ethical non-monogamy,” but they are not synonymous.