Relationship anarchy

Relationship anarchy (sometimes abbreviated RA) is the application of anarchist principles to intimate relationships. Some especially important values include autonomy, anti-hierarchical practices, lack of state control, anti-normativity, and community interdependence[1]. RA can be considered a type of non-monogamy, but moreso is explicitly anti-monogamy. This is distinct from polyamory, solo poly, and other forms of “dating”, which may include structures such as amatonormativity, de facto hierarchy of intimate relationships, and autonomy-limiting rules. [2]

An 'A' in a heart is a symbol of relationship anarchy.

History

The term relationship anarchy was coined by Andie Nordgren[3] in her 2006 essay "The short instructional manifesto for relationship anarchy" (translated by her from the original Swedish “Relationsanarki i 8 punkter”). Related themes have also been explored in Swedish masters and bachelor theses by Jacob Strandell[4] and Ida Midnattssol.[5] Other relevant writings exploring this topic within a similar time frame include A Green Anarchist Project on Freedom and Love and Against the Couple Form.

Methods for Discussing Relationship Anarchy
  • Open discussion groups: Pick a topic, especially a challenging one, relevant to your practice of RA and discuss your thoughts and/or relevant content with others
  • Community values discussions: Practice vulnerable conversations outside the form of isolated dyads, and instead share intimacy with a group you trust and care about
  • Queer desire party: A (largely) sober space for Queer folks to play, flirt, scene, snuggle, chat, and NOT be the only one in the room.[6] Create a temporary autonomous zone to prioritize Queer experiences and reduce the influence of heteronormativity, cis-normativity, Patriarchy, and other systems that condition us towards performing normativity
  • Divorce/Break-up parties: Celebrate your friends freeing themselves from monogamy and the couple form! Encourage couple-busting as a liberatory practice
  • Conflict fishbowl[7]: Communicate about (and potentially resolve) conflict in a group setting, instead of privately and shamefully in dyads
  • Co-Housing visioning and execution: Make housing more accessible to folks operating outside the traditional nuclear family model, and create possibilities for new models and uses of domestic spaces
  • Create!: Make zines, write essays, make custom shirts/clothes/art/posters, and share what you learn from practicing RA in your life/community (Examples HERE)
  • Read RA-related content: Start with the open-source public list of online resources HERE

See also

References
  1. "The Difference Between Relationship Anarchy and Non-Hierarchical Polyamory". Relationship Anarchy. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  2. De las Heras Gómez, Roma (2018-12-20). "Thinking Relationship Anarchy from a Queer Feminist Approach". Sociological Research Online. SAGE Publications. 24 (4): 644–660. doi:10.1177/1360780418811965. ISSN 1360-7804.
  3. Nordgren, Andie. "The short instructional manifesto for relationship anarchy", Andie's Log, July 6, 2012.
  4. Strandell, Jacob (Spring 2012). On the Possibilities and Impossibilities of Love: Mapping the discursive field of love-relationships, its components, conflicts and challenges (PDF) (Masters). Halmstad University, School of Social and Health Sciences.
  5. Midnattssol, Ida (January 1, 2013). Ett relationsanarkistiskt ställningstagande - en undersökning av subjektspositionering inom relationsanarki – via umu.diva-portal.org.
  6. "RAD Community Library".
  7. "RAD Community Library".
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