Ask Dr LJ - is being poly like being gay?

[goddessfarmer]

I know I've probably just offended someone with that post title. I'd like to hear your opinions on being polyamourous, specifically if you think being poly is something intrinsic to each individual or it is something that can be learned, or turned on and/or off. My (admittedly limited) knowledge of "gay" leads me to believe that it is an intrinsic quality, like having brown eyes, is being poly like this?  Please discuss.

Comments

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

I consider both to be a continuum. polyamorous --- monogamous or heterosexual --- bisexual --- homosexual. So if you consider heterosexual to be "1", bisexual to be "5" and homosexual to be "10" you can figure out where you are along the scale. Some people swing hard to some extent, and some are somewhere in the middle. It's not a switch that turns on and off as your life continues (see anotherjen's post) it's just that events and people you meet might make your natural tendency swing in a particular direction without denying your basic self.