On the other hand, polyamory means having more than one sexual or romantic partner to share your life with. Swinging is a form of ethical nonmonogamy where couples or, sometimes, singles consensually engage in sexual activity outside their marriages or partnerships. He's neurodivergent like me, and we have an incredibly open relationship. After separating from my husband, I got together with my current boyfriend, and we've been each other's primary partners for three years. That process was very difficult, but at the same time, I was excited to continue with this nonmonogamous journey because I could fully be myself in that space. At this point, even though we were both comfortable with who we were, I struggled with the idea that my marriage had failed and needed to work through those emotions. My husband and I decided that we had different values and desires of what we wanted our futures to look like, so we separated amicably three years ago. I separated from my husband after 22 years together and started a nonmonogamous relationship with someone new I got curious about the whole concept of sexual openness and decided that I wanted a relationship like that. They were very happy with each other and shared each other's joy and excitement. They were exploring their sexuality within their marriage, and I could not believe what I was hearing. I came across a show on Playboy radio called ' Swingtime With Holli and Michael,' which was hosted by two swingers. I decided to check out the worst of the worst: the 'heathen sex people.' I put on the Playboy radio station and started listening to it all the time.

I was taught there was no love and joy outside Christ, so I put that theory to the test. When I got married in 1997 at the age of 22, all I knew was monogamy.īut 15 years into my marriage, I started questioning my faith. I grew up as an evangelical Christian and went to Bible school, where I met my husband. The following has been edited for length and clarity. This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Karine Bedard, a sex-positive relationship coach. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

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