Open UU
OPEN UU is the organization for polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous UU religious professionals.
Professional Connection & Care
OPEN UU is primarily a mutual support organization, offering UU religious professionals who identify as polyamorous and/or ethically non-monogamous a way to connect with and assist each other. We believe that awareness and acceptance of non-monogamous relationship structures has increased significantly in recent years, both within Unitarian Universalism and the culture generally. We also appreciate that the UUA Bylaws and UU Ministers Association guidelines both include “family and relationship structures” in their non-discrimination policies. At the same time, we also know that the potential for misunderstanding and discrimination remains significant. OPEN UU exists because we benefit from each other’s counsel and care in this journey.
Membership
OPEN UU is for Unitarian Universalist religious professionals who identify as polyamorous, ethically non-monogamous, or a similar relationship orientation. Our definition of “religious professional” includes people who are actively serving, those in training (such as seminarians), and anyone who has worked as a religious professional and still claims that identity. Members agree to uphold the organization’s goals and covenant (including confidentiality) as a condition of membership.
Our current membership of over 100 people includes religious educators, ministers, musicians and others employed in a range of settings: congregations, community organizations, independent consultants, and UUA staff. If you meet this criteria and would like to join, please fill out our membership form here.
Activities & Focus
Our primary focus is on mutual support specifically related to being a UU religious professional who identifies as polyamorous, ethically non-monogamous, or a similar relationship orientation. We do this mostly through three activities: (1) a Facebook group, (2) ad-hoc gatherings at in-person professional events like General Assembly, LREDA Fall Con and Professional Days, and UUMA Ministry Days and Center Institute, and (3) occasional virtual gatherings throughout the year.
We do some education and advocacy for the equitable treatment of polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous UU religious professionals and plan to do more over time. We also aspire to create resources for religious professional colleagues on how to better serve congregants who identify as polyamorous and/or ethically non-monogamous.
Our focus does not include providing support or education related to just being polyamorous or ethically non-monogamous. For people seeking this kind of support or education, we invite you to draw on the many websites, books, and articles that exist for this purpose. The website https://www.open-love.org/ is a good place to start.
Leadership
We do not have a formal leadership model, and there is no financial commitment for membership. Our focus is being a place where members can seek and offer mutual support. We are grateful to the following members who serve as contacts for the organization:
Liz James, Founder and Moderator, UU Hysterical Society Jenn Blosser, Founder and Director, Spirit and Whimsy Samantha Nemeth, Director of Faith Development, 1st Unitarian Church of Worcester