Who the hell do we think we are?
Contact us at ps@polyskeptic.com
Shaun McGonigal (shaun@polyskeptic.com)
I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I attended a Quaker school (Friends Select School) for 13 years before moving on to college (BA ‘Religious Anthropology’) and later graduate school (MA Philosophy). I like to cook, drink good ale (especially Belgian), and I like to write.
I have previously been associated with some organizations in the Philadelphia area. I was previously board member of the Freethought Society, have previously been associated with the Rational Response Squad, and continue to be a part of the atheist and skeptic community.
In this blog I will talk about issues surrounding being an atheist as well as living a polyamorous lifestyle. Atheism, the lack of belief in any gods, is not a belief system so much as it is a conclusion that implies no other beliefs necessarily. Polyamory is having more than one open, consenting, loving relationship at a time. It is a lifestyle that takes maturity, honesty, excellent communication skills, etc. It is not for the guy/girls who just wants two girlfriends/boyfriends (etc) to have hot three-ways with (although that can happen).
Virginia Brown (Ginny) (ginny@polyskeptic.com)
I was raised as a conservative, homeschooled Christian. During my childhood and through my college years, my life pretty much revolved around the church and Christianity. I was the kid who helped my Sunday School teacher pronounce “Amalekites,” who won at Bible trivia, who got asked to lead small groups and mentor younger girls. I have actually read the entire Bible, although not in one continuous read-through. I have countless Bible verses, liturgical prayers, and worship songs burned into my memory, probably never to depart. Then, at the age of 25, I lost my faith; now I’m a proud and vocal atheist. In addition to my apostasy, I’m a sexual outlaw: I’m in a polyamorous relationship with my fiance Shaun, the lovely Gina, and Gina’s husband Wes. I’m pursuing a master’s degree in human sexuality, and may continue working for a PhD if I’m a real glutton for punishment. In my spare time I like to read, write fiction, knit, and sing.
Gina Martinelli (gina@polyskeptic.com)
Like Shaun, I am a Philadelphia native…though I was born in California. My parents came of age in the 60′s, but in very different ways. My father is the son of a nuclear physicist. He was a surfer who paid his way through college by lifeguarding on a beach near Malibu. He plays the guitar and used to live on a boat. Today he is a civil engineer by day and a painter by night (think DaVinci, not Benjamin Moore). My mother was a teenage mother who bravely forged her way through the barriers of being female and intelligent in a time when the workplace was not particularly safe for women. She raised my sister as an independent, strong minded role model. Today, she continues to be just that. In addition she is a Jack of all Art Trades (a dancer, opera singer, and actress) and owns a black box theater in Philadelphia. It was one of the first truly affordable places to make your theater dreams come true in the city.
I mention my parents here because they raised me to be independent, thoughtful, questioning and aware. They taught me that being different is fine and usually preferred. I was raised to be confident in my abilities, in my intelligence and about who I am. This is a lucky gift to have been given.
I am a chemist. I am a musician in a band with my best friend. I am an actor, director, producer, costume maker, what have you in the theater company I have founded with my husband, Wes. I am a burlesque dancer. I think I’m a good story teller and can be pretty funny. I am also corny and a complete dork. I like terrible movies. B-movies usually stick with me in my consciousness much more than any really honest-to-goodness film.
Wes and I are polyamorous. We have been so for about 3 years. We live in South Jersey in a delightful house with Wes’ lovely girlfriend, two jerk cats and one ridiculous dog. Shaun and Ginny came into our lives about eight months ago and life has been increasingly exciting and beautiful ever since.
I am an atheist. This has generally always been the case.
On this blog, I will write about these things and hopefully entertain you!
Wes Fenza (wes@polyskeptic.com)
I grew up in Landenberg, PA (where?), the son of an elementary school teacher and a record store owner. Although raised attending Quaker meeting, I can honestly say I never had any real belief in god.
During the day, I am a personal injury and criminal defense attorney in South Jersey and Philadelphia. During the evening, I produce theater with Ocelot on a Leash Theater Company play video games, watch tv & movies, date, and spend as much time
as possible with my partners. My wife Gina and I became polyamorous in 2009 and never looked back. My girlfriend Jessie moved in with us in 2011, and the three of us couldn’t be happier. I started writing for Polyskeptic in early 2012. On this blog, I will write about my experience and philosophy being a polyamorous atheist, as well as the occasionally legal issue.
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