Why Call It a Marriage?
New couples are sharing experiences about mixed-orientation marriages—relationships that may lack love but still seek to navigate sexual attractions. This concept is stirring interesting discussions.
Historically, loveless marriages have existed, yet, a “solo poly” woman marrying her best friend while still dating others is a different twist. April Lexi Lee had her family “shocked but not surprised” when she revealed her plans to marry her childhood friend, Renee Wong.
Both in their late 20s, the women identify as being on the asexual spectrum. Interestingly, they discovered the idea of marrying through Lee’s TikTok feeds, exploring a phenomenon dubbed “Boston Marriage,” which describes two women living together without the presence of a man.
This raises the question: Are they really just friends?
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verret, whose 2024 wedding was featured in the Netflix documentary Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, have responded to claims that they are having a “lavender wedding”.
One might wonder if the idea is influenced by the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin. Lee expressed concerns that there’s tension between men and women today, with women feeling neglected and men grappling with feelings of inadequacy.
The answer, it seems, might be to bypass traditional relationships altogether. Take Samantha Wynn Greenstone and Jacob Hoff, for instance. Greenstone identifies as straight while Hoff is gay, yet they were in a committed, monogamous relationship for nearly a decade.
Interestingly, Greenstone knew Hoff was gay from their first meeting. The Post emphasized that he does not identify as bisexual. Still, through traditional means, they managed to have a child together.
Reflecting on their experience, Greenstone remarked, “If anything, I think we are taking the sanctity of marriage to a whole new level.” It’s a unique approach, to say the least; both partners are making it work in their own way. But why disclose all these intimate details?
Hoff and Greenstone are quite active in sharing their journey online, engaging with supporters and skeptics alike. Interestingly, their main support seems to come from conservative circles, who view their relationship as a “safe package.”
What else might be at play here? They visited a therapist early in their relationship who was taken aback by their dynamic. “She had never really seen this before,” Hoff noted, emphasizing the uniqueness of their situation.
Yet, questioning the nature of their union begs a deeper inquiry: Why label such relationships as marriages? What drives Greenstone and Hoff to present their bond as something more conventional?
Perhaps it’s about broadening the traditional definition of marriage to encompass more unique circumstances.
