Polyamory is an emerging sexual story that troubles mononormativity: the dominant
discourse of monogamy which is reproduced and perpetuated in everyday conversation
and saturates mainstream media depictions. Through an analysis of online
discussions, websites and self-help books, this article explores the ways in which
members of polyamorous communities construct their identities through language. We
argue that the potentials of polyamory are, to some extent, constrained by the
conventional mononormative language of partnerships, infidelities and jealousy.
However, alternative languages are emerging which offer new discursive possibilities
for the development of polyamorous identities, relationships and emotions.
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