Midwest Love Fest 2024 Workshops

One way to look at our spiritual lives is as a series of relationships, such as the relationship we have with the spiritual traditions we’re a part of or interested in; with our ancestors, spirit guides, and deities; and our relationships to the spiritual traditions of our loved ones.

How do we approach ancestral veneration if one line of ancestors oppressed another, or even harmed us in this lifetime? How do we negotiate working with spirits or deities from multiple traditions, if that is our calling? Can individuals from seemingly opposing traditions be in healthy relationships with each other? How do we handle our nesting partner(s) disrespecting our sacred spaces, such as altars? These are just a few examples of challenges that may arise with both ourselves and within our earthly partnerships for those who are navigating contemporary spiritual journeys.

In this workshop, we’ll look at ways to navigate and improve these relationships using principles from ethical non-monogamy and anti-racism work.

Presenters Jera and Bianca will offer examples from their own lives and will give participants opportunities to chart out their own spiritual relationships and discuss them in small groups.

Are you curious about polyamory? Are you seeking to understand the dynamics, challenges, and joys of consensual non-monogamy? Join us for an enlightening workshop designed for those interested in exploring polyamory for the first time, or new and wanting to learn more about terminology and practices. In this workshop, we will provide a safe and inclusive space for individuals to learn about the principles and practices of polyamory. Led by the head organizer of Chicago Polyamory Connection, one of the largest polyamorous community groups in the midwest.

Key topics covered in the workshop include:
1. Understanding Polyamory: We'll delve into the definition of polyamory and its various forms, including hierarchical and non-hierarchical structures.
2. Communication Skills: Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful polyamorous relationship. Learn essential tools and techniques for expressing needs, boundaries, and desires openly and honestly.
3. Navigating Jealousy: Addressing jealousy is a common concern for individuals new to polyamory. We'll explore strategies for managing jealousy and cultivating compersion—the joy in seeing your partner(s) happy with others.
4. Ethical Considerations: Consent, honesty, and respect are fundamental principles in polyamorous relationships. We'll discuss ethical considerations, including practicing safe sex, maintaining transparency, and honoring agreements. This will include couples privilege, unicorn hunting and much more.
5. Building Community: Connect with like-minded individuals and build a supportive community of fellow polyamorous explorers. Share experiences, insights, and resources in a non-judgmental environment. You will walk away with access to the Chicago Polyamorous Connection Handbook and supports to hosting or joining a community.

Whether you're single, partnered, or somewhere in between, this workshop welcomes individuals of all orientations and relationship configurations. Come with an open mind and a willingness to learn as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and relationship exploration together. Join us for "Poly 101 - Exploring Polyamory: A Beginner's Guide" and take the first step towards understanding and embracing the beauty of polyamorous relationships.

What do you do when your child asks you how you got that bruise or mark after a fun night of consensual BDSM play?

What's your answer when your child discovers you kissing someone who isn't their parent?

For many, the instinct is to lie, deny, and/or conceal to avoid oversharing intimate details about their sex lives. Doing so, however, adds a layer of secrecy or deception that - if revealed - could diminish the trust your child has instilled in you.

The relationship between parent/caregiver and child should be rooted in mutual respect. Lying to someone is not respectful. There are truthful, careful ways to discuss pleasure positive lifestyles with children and youth. Do children need to know intimate details about their parent's sex lives? No. Do children deserve to know their parent is safe and trustworthy? Yes.

What we'll discuss...
~Identifying Your Individual Risk Profile
~Ways to Create a Pleasure Positive Family Culture
~How to Be an ASKable Adult
~Assessing Age Appropriateness; Don’t Lie
~All About Bystander Consent
~Ways to Validate Their Intrinsic Knowing
~Being Ready with a Handy-Dandy Carrier Phrase
~Holding and Communicating Boundaries
~Q&A

I would like to share views, experiences, impressions, and feedback about Relationship Anarchy. I'm very interested in learning how RA is understood in the USA and compare it with the feedback I got in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, as well as in some European countries during the years before and after my book was published. I know that some of the participants have read and discussed my work, and I would like to give and receive perceptions and feelings about the topics covered. I'd like the conversation to be as horizontal as possible, without any hierarchy derived from the author-audience notion. Building a sense of community in the world of Relationship Diversity between Europe and America (and hopefully the rest of the globe) sounds probably utopic, but utopia is the best reason we have to walk.

This workshop is for folks seeking to explore polyamory or another form of consensual non-monogamy (CNM) in a thoughtful and intentional way. Like with anything that is undertaught or misunderstood, there is a lot that can fall through the cracks when starting out in the CNM world. In this workshop, we'll talk about types of CNM, kitchen table, and parallel polyamory, boundary and expectation setting, communication techniques and plans, jealousy and conflict resolution techniques, and managing expectations.

Talking about STI status can be one of the hardest conversations in any relationship. Join us for a discussion about STI testing, talking to your partner/s about your status and theirs and getting rid of the stigma surrounding STIs.

This workshop goes beyond the boundaries of love to explore the power of care constellations and community resilience. Whether you're polyamorous, monogamous, or anywhere in between, this session offers practical tools and insights for navigating life's complexities with compassion and strength. In this engaging workshop, we'll dive deep into mapping out constellations and core values, empowering attendees to create comprehensive care plans to navigate crises and challenges. From sharing best resources to discussing strategies for navigating oppressive systems (such as the healthcare system) rooted in white supremacy, I'll equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and collaborative exercises, participants will learn how to build inclusive communities that prioritize care, consent, and mutual support. Whether you're facing a personal crisis or seeking to create a more resilient community, this workshop will provide invaluable guidance and inspiration. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery, connection, and empowerment as we come together to dismantle oppressive systems and build a world rooted in care and justice.

This workshop will be centered around intentionality as a vehicle through which we can create polyamorous lives that support our polyamorous relationships. Many people are trying to sustain polyam relationships within lives, systems, families, and dwellings that are not set up to to sustain them. In this workshop; I will lay out 4 pillars that we can use to create a supportive and sustainable environment for polyamorous LIFE, not just polyamorous dating.

Life is brimming with constant shifts and transformations, from our relationships to our very selves. Embracing the ethos of Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM), we often find ourselves navigating these changes and the accompanying losses with rapidity and intensity. This space offers a sanctuary to openly explore losses that may not find room in our daily lives. Whether it's the dissolution of partnerships through breakup or death, or the shedding of aspects of ourselves and our lives, the grief we encounter is authentic and deserving of acknowledgment. Together, we'll delve into our experiences of grief, cultivate the art of holding space for others in their mourning, and harness our creative energies to honor and transform our respective losses.

Exploring non-monogamy in any form brings up a lot of emotions that can feel overwhelming, confusing, and downright challenging, regardless of how long we have been in our relationship structure. Certainly, jealousy is one of these emotions that is super important to talk about and unpack - but what about other emotions that we don't hear about quite as much? In this workshop, we're going to deep dive into some of those other feels that pop up, including fear, guilt, and others! We'll get into not only how and when these emotions might show up, but also how we can use some practical narrative and cognitive reframing strategies to meet our emotions with self-awareness and compassion, and learn how to express them to others in a way that provides clarity and connection instead of knocking us off balance.

People pleasing can be a sign of a “fawning” trauma/fear response which is when people do things they don’t want to do – and often don’t feel good about it afterwards. This spectrum of behavior can range from appearing to consent to things you’re not interested in through appearing to go along with activities that are, in reality, retraumatizing. Fawning, or people pleasing, can therefore make having consensual interactions complicated for all involved.

Whether you engage in fawning or a current or potential partner does, it can be difficult to recognize the warning signs due to the lack of awareness around these behaviors. We all deserve to have consensual experiences where we feel safe to share our needs and this workshop will help you develop the tools to get you and loved ones there.

In this workshop, we’ll cover

A brief review of fear/trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn, etc.)

What fawning looks like in non-sexual and sexual situations

Ways to support yourself and others in disrupting fawning or people pleasing, especially within sexual encounters and relationships through tools for developing healthy communication, trust, and safety.

A Q&A with a fawner and a fawning disruptor

Join me in a captivating journey through the evolution of polyamory in Black cinema, spanning decades of groundbreaking narratives, complex characters, and diverse relationship dynamics. From classic films and tv shows of the past to contemporary masterpieces of today, this workshop will delve into the rich tapestry of polyamorous relationships portrayed on screen within Black communities. Through thought-provoking discussion and interactive activities, participants will explore the cultural significance, thematic trends, and social impact of polyamory in Black cinema over time. Whether you're a cinephile, a relationship enthusiast, or a cultural critic, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of love, identity, and representation in Black storytelling.