The rules of relationships have never been harder to untangle. Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell in *The Seven Year Itch.*

Indecent Proposal

For some, “ethical non-monogamy” is the way of the future. But is it really all that superior to a good old-fashioned affair?

By Lauren Bans

Recently, I went on a hike with a friend who’s dating—huge inhale—a pansexual, polyamorous, married man. They’ve been on about five dates, and so far they’ve discussed his relationship with his wife (the primary), how he prefers to have two girlfriends or boyfriends at a time (secondaries), how his wife prefers to have just one, and how everyone manages this arrangement.

Oh, boy, are there rules. So many rules. It starts to sound more like an LSAT logic question than a sexual tryst. Person A may sleep with Person B and Person C. Person C and Person B can hang but not have sex. Person B is also sleeping with Person D, who can have sex with Person C but not Person A.