Beautiful Woman Denied the Right to Marry the Father of Her Children

"lilsis" is a beautiful woman and a mother. She’s deeply in love with the father of her children, but not only are they currently denied their right to marry, but they have to hide their love for each other or risk prosecution and having their children taken away.Read this interview and ask yourself if there is one good reason their rights should be denied.*****FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Tell us about your background and who you are.lilsis: I'm a woman living in the UK. I was fostered from a very young age - not sure of the reasons behind this, but I know my mother couldn't cope and Social Services became involved fairly early on. I was shipped around with my older sister for a few years until we were eventually officially fostered together with...

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Posted in: boundaries,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,family reaction,freedom to marry,GSA,lack of equality harms,love,persecution,prejudice,reunion,siblings,solidarity,UK

Fraternal Polyandry in the Himalayas in the News Again

Every once in a while, people notice traditional polyandry (a form of polygamy), in which a woman marries multiple men. With fraternal polyandry, the men are brothers. That means that while she has multiple husbands, she only has one mother-in-law.When Tashi Sangmo was 17 she married a 14-year-old neighbour in a remote Himalayan village in Nepal and, as part of the package, she also agreed to wed his younger brother.In ancient times, the sons of almost every family in the region of Upper Dolpa would jointly marry one woman but the practice of polyandry is dying out as the region begins to open up to modern life."Things are easier this way because everything we have stays in one family. It doesn't get divided among many wives and it is me in charge," said Sangmo, who uses a dialect of Tibetan...

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Posted in: Asia,polyandry,polygamy,siblings

Daphne Bramham is Very Upset Some Adults Love More Than One

Daphne Bramham at vancouversun.com wrote on “Polygamy and the Toronto School Board’s big mistake.” It was about this poster that showed representations of love, including what many people have interpreted as depictions of polyamorous relationships. It is part of a worthy campaign.Toronto school board members may not have thought about polygamy when it approved a poster that shows a stick man and two stick women inside a heart.Really? What other inference can you take from two women and a man all holding hands, even they are stick people?That sometimes, more than two adults are involved?Sure, Toronto is a long way from Bountiful where Canada’s most infamous polygamists live.Those “infamous poygamists” are not the only polyamorists in Canada.But...

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Posted in: academia,allies,bisexual,Canada,LGBT,love,media,persecution,polyamory,polyandry,polygamy,polygyny,prejudice,same-sex

Meanwhile, in Nigeria

According to James Azania’s article at punchng.com, cousins were arrested for “incest.” Cousins. You know, people who can legally marry in so many places in the world?Two cousins in Elele, near Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Aishetu and Ayibaba, were reportedly paraded by villagers, after they were allegedly caught in sexual act.Oh no! People were having sex?Ayibaba, son of a highly placed chief in the community, was said to have engaged in the act with Aishetu, a married first cousin. Aishetu is also said to be a mother of three.So was this cheating, or does Aishetu have an agreement with her spouse? We aren’t told anything about her marriage or the opinion of her spouse.Reports had it that some passers-by saw them...

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Posted in: Africa,consanguineous,cousins,incest,law,persecution,prejudice

Michigan Supreme Court Selects [Another] Medical Marijuana Case

The criminal defense bar saw all this litigation coming from a distance.  At this blog, we knew that the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act would be challenged, diced, and spliced for years after its passage in 2008.  Well, no disappointment on that front, as the Michigan Supreme Court has selected yet another medical marijuana case for briefing and argument during their term which will commence next week.  This case will follow the Supreme Court's seminal Kolanek decision and nearly a dozen opinions from the intermediate appellate court issued over the past four years.This time, the action arises from Kent County and the issue involves the collective farming and distribution scheme of a certified "care provider".  The...

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Posted in: criminal defense lawyer,Kolanek,lawyer,medical marijuana,Medical Marijuana Act,Michigan Court of Appeals,Michigan Supreme Court,Ryan Bylsma

Solidarity Between LGBT People and Polyamorists

At emptyclosets.com, dreamcatcher wrote about "polyamory and the lgbt community"...Yesterday at my gsa, we had a sexuality panel where people of different sexualities (asexual, pan, bi, gay, etc) gathered together and spoke about their experiences. Two of the panel members up there were polyamorous. They were all supposed to represent all the sexualities of the lgbt community. I'm kind of confused as to why polyamory is being included in the lgbt community. They seem to be two different, unrelated things to me. Can anyone enlighten me?Some LGBT people are monogamous, some are polyamorous.jsmurf wrote...Because bisexual men and women, and gay men supposedly have a knack for not being huge on committed monogamy... Which is total BS, but...

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Valerie Spruill Raising GSA Awareness

Valerie Spruill, a woman I blogged about the other day because she unknowingly married her genetic father, continues to make the news. CNN picked up her story in this piece by Chelsea J. Carter…It was a dark secret. The kind that destroys lives, devastates families and decimates faith.That’s a bit negative and overly dramatic. He provided half of the genetic material that made her. And they loved each other.Spruill met and married her husband-father in Akron and settled in Doylestown, a working class suburb of about 2,300.It was her second marriage. Spruill was a nice man, a good provider. He was kind to her three children from her previous marriage."We had a good life," she said.Isn’t that what is important???In recent days, she has been in contact with a couple who found out after they were...

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Posted in: boundaries,coming out,consanguineous,family reaction,father-daughter,GSA,incest,love,Ohio,prejudice

A Perspective on Heterosexual Polygamy From Swaziland

Zakhele Dawson writes at the Times of Swaziland about polygamy, tying it in to recent local events... If there’s one thing that can be said about Minister Hlobisile Ndlovu, it is that she is fearless in her opinions. Only days after being plastered all over the news after an altercation with her husband at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg, she stood up in Parliament to declare that she preferred polygamous marriages to monogamous ones.How many times have we heard that polygyny is not something any women choose?Personally I do not see it as a question of morality but one of practicality. After all, what most western societies have forgotten is that they, too, were mostly polygamous once, in various ways. In fact, monogamy is officially practiced by a minority...

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Posted in: Africa,freedom to marry,politicians,polygamy

Where to Discuss Consanguinamory

I am updating and bumping up this entry. I welcome comments here. So when I write about consanguinamory (consensual incest) you can comment here. But if you want to find a discussion forum for these topics, where do you go?Kindred Spirits is a great, free, welcoming discussion forum about consanguinamory. Porn is not allowed. Advice is not given in the forum discussions; you might get some through private messages. Please read the rules and introduce yourself within the time limit of registering.Penny 4 Your Thoughts is another great, free, discussion forum. much like Kindred Spirits. It was formerly known as "Porn Free Incest" or "Incest Therapy" and has a new location. Please read the rules and introduce yourself within the time limit of registering.For discussing consanguinamory initiated...

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Posted in: allies,consanguineous,GSA,help,incest,solidarity

An Addition to the Glossary: Consanguinamorous

I am bumping up this entry. I have made some minor changes to the Glossary, and added a couple of terms. Since this blog began, I have favored the phrase “consanguineous sex” over the word incest to describe consensual sex between close relatives. This has meant writing “consanguineous couples” as opposed to “incestuous couples.”I now think a better word is the word consanguinamorous. It’s a long word, but it may be useful in describing love or eroticism between close relatives. It implies the inclusion of sexuality, but that may not be so. Consanguineous sex can be expected between those who practice consanguinamory; couples, triads, or quads who are consanguinamorous. Some people would call this “intrafamilial sex” or “hyperendogamy.”Please note that as always, this is referring to consensual...

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Posted in: consanguineous,terminology

Dear Margo Advice Column Addresses Twincest

Dear Margo, scion of a famous advice columnist Ann Landers and quite the advice columnist herself (her cousin carries on the Dear Abby column) got a letter that is of interest to readers of this blog, from someone who is concerned that her younger siblings (adults) are likely incestuous."Big Sis" wrote in...I have a younger brother and sister who are twins, and I’m concerned about them. Several years ago, he had cancer and moved in with her while he was in treatment. He recovered and is doing great, but here’s the problem. He never moved out, and the two of them bought a house together, take trips together and go out together. It’s really creepy. I’ve been in their home, and they have separate bedrooms, but I think that’s just a ruse. Neither...

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Posted in: boundaries,brother-sister,consanguineous,family reaction,incest,love,media,prejudice,siblings

Did Valerie Spruill Experience GSA?

Most people who experience Genetic Sexual Attraction are aware of their genetic relationship, or have reason to believe it is a possibility. Others, though, fall in love with a strong feeling of attraction, build a life together, even marry and have children only to discover their close genetic relation later.I like to point out that what matters most is how the people in any relationship treat each other. If they are right for each other, if they love each other, if they treat each other well, what does it matter what their races, genders, ages (provided they are adults), or level of consanguinity are?Bob Dyer, Akron Beacon Journal columnist (Ohio, USA), brings is the story of Valerie Spruill and the marriage she had. It starts off with a...

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Posted in: boundaries,coming out,consanguineous,family reaction,father-daughter,GSA,incest,lack of equality harms,love,media,Ohio,prejudice,reunion,stigma

Dreams

Over at thefrisky.com, 10 "common" sex dreams got a brief explanation of meaning. I'm not sure their explainations should be taken too seriously. Their explanation of incestuous dreams only takes the approach of waking incest being predatory (rape, molestation), unfortunately.Incestuous sex dreams are by far the most disturbing and hardest to shake off when you wake up.Certainly if they involve predatory behavior. Although, they had a separate interpretation for rape dreams. Dreams with consensual incest may not be disturbing at all.Before I go any further here, I should note that if you had a real-life experience with incest and are having dreams about it, you should seek professional help. If you've never been a victim of incest, dreaming...

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Posted in: consanguineous,incest,LGBT,media,prejudice,same-sex

A Polyamorous Woman Writes of First Play Party

Polyamorists are not necessarily swingers. (Note: consider all links in this entry after that one NSFW.) Many poly people are in closed polycules and members of that polycule only date and have sex with people within that polycule. Some poly people do swing, however. Zoe is polyamorous and wrote about her first swinger party, which she checked out because one of her lovers is a swinger.Guy and his wife tried to prep me as best as they could. He talked to me about what the physical layout would be (i.e. social area, public area with toys laid out, private bedroom), gave me a run down on who he expected to be there, even tried to help with my most worrisome question – what to wear.What did she wear? After careful consideration and an unplanned...

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Posted in: boundaries,group,polyamory,swinging

Three Loving Relationships That Face Discrimination

It seems like every week now I want to post some things from Kindred Spirits forum, which is the best place I know of to discuss consanguinamory. Below are things written by three people who each in relationships that would be subject to prosecution, persecution, discrimination… you name it… in so many places. (If you want to join the forum, please be sure to read and follow the rules or you'll be dropped.)A woman I’ve quoted before, who is in a spousal relationship with her brother, wrote a profoundly touching entry…Just the other day my elder sister said something that really got me thinking, and I started wondering if what she said could actually be true.She said to me “You know what sis, you were born to love your brother”. When I asked...

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Posted in: boundaries,brother-sister,consanguineous,family reaction,father-daughter,GSA,Ireland,love,siblings,UK,uncle-niece

Tuesday in Elizabethtown, PA

Something that might be of interest if you'll be in or around Elizabethtown, PA this coming Tuesday...At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, Elizabethtown College Associate Professor Kimberly VanEsveld Adams offers explanation to “‘This Brother Who Was not a Brother’: Incestuous Affinities in Wuthering Heights.” Early marriage definitions were different than today, and a number of Victorian writers thought that a good one began as a brotherly-sisterly relationship, but not between actual siblings. Event Website Sounds interesting. As I have blogged numerous times, stepsiblings, adopted siblings, and long-lost (or not) half siblings and full siblings can go on to have happy, healthy, lasting spousal relationshi...

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Posted in: academia,brother-sister,freedom to marry,media,siblings

Father-Son GSA

I am bumping up this entry dealing with Genetic Sexual Attraction because it is just as relevant as ever.Someone calling himself Saul wrote to Miriam Stoppard’s advice column…When I was in my teens and still thought of myself as straight, I had a brief relationship with a girl. Now, 20 years on, I've been contacted by the son I never knew existed and he's gay like me.I think it's great he's happy with his sexuality and I love having him in my life - it's like being with my younger self.What really bothers me is I've started to become attracted to him. A 15-year relationship ended last year and I hate myself for thinking the things I've been thinking. What should I do?Saul should be careful. As with attraction in another other case, the feelings might not be mutual or even if mutual, the other...

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Posted in: boundaries,consanguineous,father-son,GSA,LGBT,media,reunion,same-sex

Nick Cassavetes and the Naked Emperor

Full marriage equality and relationship rights in general are advancing, and it is scaring the bigots. More countries and US states are embracing the limited same-gender freedom to marry, Utah's law against simply living together is being challenged, Brazil is recognizing polyamorous relationships, Showtime has raised the profile of polyamory, and major Hollywood filmmaker Nick Cassavetes has depicted a consanguinamorous relationship and defended such relationships in general, and those of all consenting adults.Granted, Cassavetes would have been done better by not mentioning the same-gender freedom to marry, and rather just stuck with discussing consenting adults in general and their relationship rights, but he should be cut some slack. He's...

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Posted in: allies,boundaries,brother-sister,consanguineous,freedom to marry,incest,LGBT,love,media,prejudice,same-sex,solidarity,stigma

Is it Ethical for a Lawyer to Have Sex With a Client?

Attorney Henry BaskinTechnically, the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct do not expressly proscribe a lawyer from having sexual relations with a client.  The lack of a specific ethics provision, however, did not prevent the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission from issuing a reprimand and assessing costs against well-known Birmingham attorney, Henry Baskin, for allegedly conducting a long-term physical relationship with a female divorce client.We here at the Law Blogger know Henry, having worked with him on a few matters over the years.  So we are compelled to ask, Henry...Henry...of all the women you could persuade to, er, date you, why select a client; and a divorce client to boot?The Attorney Discipline Board [a panel of...

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Posted in: alimony,attorney,Attorney Grievance Commission,Birmingham,divorce,ethics,Henry Baskin,lawyer,sex

The Strongest Bond of Sibling Consanguinamory

Perhaps the most common brush with consensual incest that people have, aside from cousins, is rather tame interactions with their siblings when they are very young: skinny dipping, playing doctor, show me yours and I'll show you mine, going or a feel while roughhousing, truth or dare, etc. This is so common and not really a big deal. It is such a little deal that many people forget they even did it. For some siblings too old to be interested in childhood games, things can be a little more serious. The sibling bond, shared experiences, trust, curiosity, hyper hormones, proximity, privacy, convenience, and sometimes relative isolation combine to foster situations where some siblings experiment and explore with each other. Some of these have flings,...

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Posted in: brother-sister,consanguineous,love,siblings