Foundations of Queer Non-Monogamy: Structures, Values, and Identity

Non-monogamy has a long and varied history within queer communities, yet the vocabulary and conceptual distinctions between polyamory, open relationships, relationship anarchy, and other structures are often blurry or misunderstood. Without clarity about what these structures actually involve — their values, their demands, and their differences — people enter them underprepared and exit with unnecessary hurt. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the major forms of ethical non-monogamy practised in queer contexts, distinguish their underlying values and practical implications, and reflect on your own relational needs and capacity with reference to those frameworks. What you will learn: - Definitions and distinctions: polyamory, open relationships, relationship anarchy, hierarchical and non-hierarchical structures, and queer-specific variations - The values framework underlying ethical non-monogamy: consent, honesty, autonomy, and the concept of compersion - How non-monogamy has historically been practised and theorised within LGBTQ+ communities, and how contemporary queer culture engages with it - The psychological demands of non-monogamy: attachment styles, jealousy, and emotional capacity - How people typically discover, enter, and negotiate their first non-monogamous arrangements - Common misconceptions about non-monogamy and how they differ from the lived reality of people who practise it - Boundary setting as a foundational skill: what boundaries are for and how they differ from rules or control - Self-assessment: a reflective framework for understanding your own relational needs, triggers, and readiness The course is structured as a series of readings, concept maps, and self-reflection worksheets. Each section builds on the previous to give you a layered understanding of the terrain rather than a checklist of dos and don'ts. The final worksheet guides you through a personal values inventory as it relates to relationship structure. This course is suitable for queer individuals who are curious about non-monogamy, newly entering a non-monogamous arrangement, or wanting to revisit foundational concepts after time in practice. No prior experience with non-monogamy is required.