Polyamory is the state of being in love or romantically involved with more than one person simultaneously. The idea of free love for all may be a concept hard to grapple with for some, but for Lea from Hong Kong, as per the South China Morning post last April 8, she believes polyamory is no more unusual than any other lifestyle choice.
Lea, 46, who declined to give her full name, is a senior corporate leader in a global apparel company. She has been with her partner for about 15 years and have children together, but apart from each other, they are both also involved in other long-term relationships.
“Maybe someone craves touch and holding hands, kissing or just talking with someone who is experiencing the same day-today challenges in the work environment,” Lea was quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post report. “Their primary partner may not be able to offer those things, but they want to allow that person to be fulfilled and experience everything they need and want intimately.”
It’s what’s attractive in a polyamory setup, as per Lea: making intimate connections, and having romantic dinners, among others. There is also the excitement and giddiness that comes with being with someone new, seemingly cutting through the monotony that otherwise pervades a monogamous setup.
Lea understands that the concept of a polyamory setup is more acceptable in Europe than Hong Kong, and believes it is highly misunderstood in her home city. Nevertheless, she makes it her mission to bridge this gap by heading the “Polyamory Hong Kong” Facebook group as an administrator, an online collective that acts as a support group and haven to those who are in polyamorous setups like her.
The Facebook group was first put up five years ago in 2013 and only had 45 followers. Many of these members have already moved away and only about 10 members are left active in the city. “It is a very Western lifestyle and contrary to Asian culture, so it wouldn’t be a local thing.”
Today, the “Polyamory Hong Kong” Facebook group has about 50 members, a seemingly small number to some. But for Lea and her community, it is everything and more. Cody Cepeda /ra
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