Ok, let’s see if I got this right.

OK, so where to start. Polyamorous is an umbrella term and all the terms underneath cover all the different types of Poly relationships you get. This is where I found it got really confusing.

OK, so imagine there is a person let’s name them J. Now J is in love with both A and K. Now this first bit isn’t Polyamory.

In the world I grew up in J would have to pick between A and K. J picks A and that would be the end of it. Until that is J decides to see K on the side. This is CHEATING! This means seeing K on the side without A knowing. Whereas an OPEN RELATIONSHIP is where both A and J consent to seeing other people outside their relationship. So J can see K and be content to know that A is ok with it.

OK, so the next type on from that is POLYGAMY which is not to be confused with POLYAMORY (which I’ll come to later). POLYGAMY is when J decides to marry both A and K. Now this isn’t legally recognised in many countries but their religion supports it.

Now this is where I get somewhat lost. So, POLYFIDELITY is when J, A and K are all in a closed relationship together. None of them have other partners and they all love each other. So A is with K, K is with J and J is with A. Making sense so far? Good ok moving on.

So the next bit is all about Polyamory. So you have HIERARCHICAL POLYAMORY which is where you have one main relationship (So J and A) and then they both have more little relationships off to the side. (So J and K and A and F or not) but both main relationship participants know that they come first. EGALITARIAN POLYAMORY is where J has equal relationships with both A and K but A and K don’t have a relationship. SOLO POLYAMORY is when they are both J’s partners but J doesn’t want to move in with or marry any of them.

This last one I don’t know who came up with the name but it makes me giggle. RELATIONSHIP ANARCHY this is when J just likes all of their friends more or less and interacts with everyone in the individual way that feels right for both of us and nobody really cares what you’re labelled as long as your having fun doing it.

OK, so that seems right not sure if it is but hey ho what the worst that can happen and if I’m being totally honest polyfidelity and egalitarian polyamory sound like what I’m hoping to acheive. If I have anything wrong let me know. I’d hate to be offending anyone. Also, tell me if I’ve missed any.