Be An Advocate

Do people engaged in polyamory have any legal rights?

The answer is no, currently, not many. Multiple U.S. states have explicitly recognized the families with multiple parents, such as step-families, adoptive families, and families with CNM parents. The Uniform Parentage Act allows for the legal recognition of more than two parents. In June 2020, the City of Somerville adopted an ordinance allowing for more than two domestic partnerships, whereby residents could legally recognize more than one committed relationship. Outside of the US, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland has recently recognized the parental responsibilities of a polyamorous, three-parent family.

Historically, non-traditional relationships (e.g., same-sex couples and CNM relationships) and families (e.g., bi-racial families) were criminalized and declared

unfit to raise their own children. Despite reforms and progress for some family structures, these negative assumptions persist today. Many judges conclude, without supporting evidence, that people who engage in CNM are less moral, less stable, and less capable to care for children compared to monogamous people (e.g., V.B. v. J.E.B., 2012; Cross v. Cross, 2008). Further, some family courts have misunderstood polyamorous relationships, many assuming that long-term committed plural relationships are equivalent to “wife-swapping” or casual sexonly swinging. (Cross v. Cross, 2008; In re Aleksandree M.M., 2010). Ignorance about polyamory fuels systematic discrimination towards these families.

How are polyamorous people discriminated against?

How can I get involved in the fight to end discrimination?

PLAC (POLYAMORY LEGAL ADVOCACY COALITION) NEEDS PEOPLE TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF DISCRIMINATION TO NEWS AND MEDIA PUBLICATIONS TO ADVANCE THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.

If you have a story to share, please email info@polyamorylegaladvocacycoalition.org with “Polyamory Media” in the subject line. Information provided by polyamorylegal.org