Poly in the UK

[Mark]

Hi upp folks

I have been living a poly life for the better part of my adult life.
Over the last few years I have dropped in and out of here and the usual
mailing lists.

Thing is this. There seems to be a fair bit in the way of online poly
resources that are US based, but precious little here in the UK, even
less that are easily accessible. I think that this is a situation that
needs addressing. So, true to my punk roots, (if you don't like the
music on the radio - start a band), I am going to set up some kind of web
based resource that focuses on poly and poly issues for people in the UK.

I have a bunch of ideas about what this resource should contain, but I'm
just one person. What I would be interested in knowing from you guys is
what form (or forms) you think this resource should take.

Should it have a bulletin board? What sorts of forums should exist
there? Should it have a personals section? Chat rooms? What sorts of
support resources could it house or could it refer to? Any ideas you
have are welcome and much appreciated.

I have some time and a small amount of resources to throw at this so I
anticipate this being a free service, at least as long as that costs
remain manageable.

What do you think?

Cheers
Mark

[sb]

Post by Mark
Hi upp folks
I have been living a poly life for the better part of my adult life.
Over the last few years I have dropped in and out of here and the usual
mailing lists.
Thing is this. There seems to be a fair bit in the way of online poly
resources that are US based, but precious little here in the UK, even
less that are easily accessible. I think that this is a situation that
needs addressing. So, true to my punk roots, (if you don't like the
music on the radio - start a band), I am going to set up some kind of web
based resource that focuses on poly and poly issues for people in the UK.

Sounds interesting

Post by Mark
I have a bunch of ideas about what this resource should contain, but I'm
just one person. What I would be interested in knowing from you guys is
what form (or forms) you think this resource should take.

It really depends what angle you are going for. Are you going to include
psychologists etc who are poly friendly for example. Dating sites for poly
people? Mailing lists? Just a few ideas

Post by Mark
Should it have a bulletin board? What sorts of forums should exist
there? Should it have a personals section? Chat rooms? What sorts of
support resources could it house or could it refer to? Any ideas you
have are welcome and much appreciated.

All of the above :P What are your thoughts?

Post by Mark
I have some time and a small amount of resources to throw at this so I
anticipate this being a free service, at least as long as that costs
remain manageable.

Should be able to depending on what site you envisage

Post by Mark
What do you think?

I think good idea looking forward to hearing more details

Hugs x

[Mark]

Post by sb
Sounds interesting

Good grief! less than 3 mins for a reply? Do you live on here? :-)

Post by sb

Post by Mark
I have a bunch of ideas about what this resource should contain, but
I'm just one person. What I would be interested in knowing from you
guys is what form (or forms) you think this resource should take.

It really depends what angle you are going for. Are you going to
include psychologists etc who are poly friendly for example. Dating
sites for poly people? Mailing lists? Just a few ideas

Sure.... if there are any. Apart from a couple of mailing lists I don't
know of any UK based resources. I don't know of any UK based poly-
friendly trick cyclists or dating sites. I know of a few 'Merican one,
but I want this to be squarely UK.

If these thigs aren't there, why don't we get on and build them. (I have
heard that if we do, they will come) :-)

Post by sb

Post by Mark
Should it have a bulletin board? What sorts of forums should exist
there? Should it have a personals section? Chat rooms? What sorts
of support resources could it house or could it refer to? Any ideas
you have are welcome and much appreciated.

All of the above :P What are your thoughts?

I am up for anything that is of use. Clearly I am not going to be able
to write, build and run this all by myself. If I did that I think it
would end up being seriously idiosyncratic, (if you put all the poly
folks I've ever met in a room.... we wouldn't be able to agree on
lunch!).

So I think getting a fairly wide cross section of UK poly views is the
best way to go. I sorta envisage something that is consensual, in the
sense that it allows input from (almost) all that have knowledge,
involvement and/or desire of/for things poly and UK.

I would like it to grow by a form of slightly-limited-democracy. (ie its
democratic provided that its understood that I have enough of a say to
keep it the right side of the law - and, it being my name on the ticket,
out of jail).

I think a B Board would be central, but I am less sure about what the
forum headings might be.

Outside of that, I'd like to see on site personals plus articles and
links, and as many other things as we can think of that would be of use
to newbies and more experienced folks. I'm just not terribly sure what
those things would be to actually "be of use". At the moment there is
very little out there, these are all fairly uncharted waters. We are the
ones that will have to chart them.

Cheers
Mark

[sb]

Post by Mark

Post by sb
Sounds interesting

Good grief! less than 3 mins for a reply? Do you live on here? :-)

A lot of the time yes :P

Post by Mark

Post by sb

Post by Mark
I have a bunch of ideas about what this resource should contain, but
I'm just one person. What I would be interested in knowing from you
guys is what form (or forms) you think this resource should take.

It really depends what angle you are going for. Are you going to
include psychologists etc who are poly friendly for example. Dating
sites for poly people? Mailing lists? Just a few ideas

Sure.... if there are any. Apart from a couple of mailing lists I don't
know of any UK based resources. I don't know of any UK based poly-
friendly trick cyclists or dating sites. I know of a few 'Merican one,
but I want this to be squarely UK.
If these thigs aren't there, why don't we get on and build them. (I have
heard that if we do, they will come) :-)

Lol I love that film! Well the Americans must have started somewhere. Maybe
get in touch with them state you are trying to do a UK version. Which lists
are you aware of btw?

Post by Mark

Post by sb

Post by Mark
Should it have a bulletin board? What sorts of forums should exist
there? Should it have a personals section? Chat rooms? What sorts
of support resources could it house or could it refer to? Any ideas
you have are welcome and much appreciated.

All of the above :P What are your thoughts?

I am up for anything that is of use. Clearly I am not going to be able
to write, build and run this all by myself. If I did that I think it
would end up being seriously idiosyncratic, (if you put all the poly
folks I've ever met in a room.... we wouldn't be able to agree on
lunch!).

This is very very true

Post by Mark
So I think getting a fairly wide cross section of UK poly views is the
best way to go. I sorta envisage something that is consensual, in the
sense that it allows input from (almost) all that have knowledge,
involvement and/or desire of/for things poly and UK.
I would like it to grow by a form of slightly-limited-democracy. (ie its
democratic provided that its understood that I have enough of a say to
keep it the right side of the law - and, it being my name on the ticket,
out of jail).

Sounds fair enough also get a couple of mods who you trust to help you out
cause these things have a habit of growing very quickly

Post by Mark
I think a B Board would be central, but I am less sure about what the
forum headings might be.

Well perhaps seperate sections - Poly, Hobbies, All things legal,
Relationships etc etc etc would be better than specific headings if you see
what I mean and then put these sections into headings in themselves

Post by Mark
Outside of that, I'd like to see on site personals plus articles and
links, and as many other things as we can think of that would be of use
to newbies and more experienced folks. I'm just not terribly sure what
those things would be to actually "be of use". At the moment there is
very little out there, these are all fairly uncharted waters. We are the
ones that will have to chart them.

I absolutely agree with that too. Seriously if I can be of any help give me
a shout. I already run a fairly successful poly group and am subbed to a few
others.

Hugs x

[David Matthewman]

Post by Mark
What do you think?

Talk to Grant Denkinson (***@bi.org) who runs the uk-poly mailing list.
I'm in the process of giving him the polyamory.org.uk and poly.org.uk
domains to play with, and he'd probably appreciate some help and ideas.