On a poly thread: don't really see the point, so far this has been a pretty high-brow discussion of everything non-vanilla under the sun. Hell, I'd say its done some use just to help folks understand the way we use the various terms and labels. If the more "pure queers," (how often do you get to say that?) feel like we've intruded maybe they'll say so. Personally I feel like there's just too much overlap to completely separate the gay out of the poly, but I could understand some gay folks wanting to filter the poly out of gay discussion. Still, while hardly all or even most, its safe to say that many poly relationships feature at least an aspect of bisexuality for at least one of the participants. The gravity between the two groups seems pretty obvious to me. Hell, I can remember when it was just GL, then GLB, and then GLBT. I'd not be surprised if a "P" wasn't added on before too long.
On partners and love: ya, I want to make this very clear: polyamory is not "free love" or a high-brow term for swinging. What it means, for me, is the freedom to be myself and the tools to do so responsibly. I don't know if its a mental circuit I lack, or a bit of social programming that never stuck, or if I just skipped class the day they explained it, but I never "got" that little social que about not sleeping with your friends. I don't understand it, so I can't really sum it up, but ya know that drama that can (often will) ensue if two friends hook up after the party? I never understood it, but I had to endure a lot of it. It never made a lick of sense to me: if I'm not supposed to get all snuggly with my friends, who am I supposed to do that with? Strangers? Is it better to be meeting people and building relationships with them for the sole purpose of having sex, or is it better to have sex with people you already have a meaningful, close relationship with? I need to care about someone to sleep with them, but I don't have to be "In Love," the regular love one feels for close friends is enough.
The other side of that coin is the "doing it responsibly" bit, by which I mean, basically, being a big ol' slut without hurting anyone's feelings. No cheating (not me, not the person I'm with, none). Seriously, fucking no cheating. And implying to your primary that, ya know, you and I might make out does not mean you have your primary's consent to do the horizontal tango! Keeping tabs on everyone's expectations, needs, wants, and commitment levels is critical. No false pretenses, no assumptions, and no telling people what you think they want to hear.
Actually, poly is a lot of damn work. But it can be worth it.