‘Our America with Lisa Ling' investigates polyamory on OWN

Tuesday night's episode of "Our America with Lisa Ling," she interviewed the practice of polyamory. Dictionary.com gives the definition of polyamory as participation in multiple and simultaneous loving or sexual relationships for this episode titled, "I Love You & You ... & You." She also went on to further expound on the meaning as, committed non-monogamy, openly loving more than one person at the same time with the consent of everyone involved.

There is an estimated half a million people in America who practice polyamory. She met with Wes, and his wife Gina, married over a year, in the same bed was Wes' girlfriend Jessie. They live with another married-couple Sean and Ginny. Oh, Gina is Sean's girlfriend too. The estimated half a million families who practice polyamory, can put their status on Facebook as; it's complicated. However, there is plenty of love to go around.

Wes told Lisa that it was intentionally creating a community and has little to do with sexual appetite. Many believe that it is perfectly natural. Be it dark and ugly, or inspiring and beautiful; no matter what, it is "Our America." Monogamy does not always work for everyone. Another household headed by Regina, contains two men and her daughter. Every partner must be on board with the situation. Lisa visited Regina, her partner Dave, her husband Russell. The said that families come in various sizes and decorations. Regina could not find herself coming back to monogamy. She grew up in a Christian home with an Evangelical minister as a father. Seven years into her monogamous marriage and pregnant with their child, her husband asked if she would be interested in opening up their relationship; surprisingly, she said yes. Then she met Russell, who was in a monogamous marriage, and she started a relationship with him. Regina finally divorced from her husband and dated Dave and Russell. After the wedding, Dave moved in. Russell and Dave are two platonic friends both in love with the same woman. Regina mostly sleeps with Russell, but has date nights with Dave that are planned. Lisa asked them; why not just swing? Dave would not agree to this; he is not a casual dater. It takes a bit of commitment on the part of all parties involved. Regina sets up a calendar to give time to both men. Although a taboo subject in monogamous America; they do not keep their situation behind closed doors.

In another blended family, Lisa visited a rural community in central Colorado. There she met Robin and her boyfriend Jesus, nicknamed Chuy. Robin has multiple partners and feels differently towards each one. She has always been polyamorous and founded a website called LovingMore.com and met Chuy at a conference she held for polyamorous people. She has lovers around the world, but now has found another who lives locally. John is a first-timer to the community, after three unsuccessful monogamous marriages. After a fire hit Robin's farm, John helped transport their livestock.

It was Chuy who suggested John as an addition to the relationship. To agree to this, one must experience compersion; an empathetic state of happiness and joy experienced when another individual experiences happiness and joy. Chuy just loves the glow Robin has after a date with John.

For Gina and Wes and their family, they are the younger modern version of polyamory. They schedule time together for sex, but don't mind sharing the same bed. After six months of marriage, Gina sensed that Wes was involved with a friend of theirs, and her jealousy was consuming her. She and Wes agreed that they would try to overcome her insecurities. Jessie was the turning point in their relationship; she connected with both Wes and Gina, and they became best friends. Gina then fell for Sean and now the five of them live in a house with no secrets.

Back in Colorado, John and Chuy are getting to know each other better and Robin's daughter Marina, who also plans to someday have a polyamorous relationship. Now Chuy and Robin are announcing to their friends and family that they are getting engaged and will legally get married next summer and are blessed to have John in their lives. Chuy foresees multiple partners for each of them in the future.

When Lisa told Robin that much of America may think of them as freaks; she laughed and accepted that statement, then thought about it and wondered just who the freaks were.

Now another piece of American whom many knew never existed are opened up to all, thanks to Lisa and "Our America with Lisa Ling."

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