US city allows throuples, foursomes to register as partners

A city in California, United States, has passed a law allowing people in polyamorous relationships, including throuples and foursomes, to register their partnerships and enjoy certain legal protections.

A throuple is a romantic relationship involving three people, while a foursome involves four.

Both fall under polyamory, which involves having multiple romantic partners with everyone’s consent.

The West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved the ordinance on Tuesday, creating a registry for multi-partner domestic relationships.

The measure, introduced by the city’s Mayor, John Heilman, allows people in consensual relationships involving three or more adults to file a declaration with the city clerk and have their partnership officially recorded.

According to The Washington Times, the registration offers certain protections, including hospital visitation rights and safeguards against some forms of eviction or tenancy termination.

A report by the Los Angeles Times said the ordinance also requires healthcare facilities and jails within the city’s jurisdiction to allow registered partners to visit patients or inmates, subject to applicable visitor restrictions.

However, the law does not give multi-partner relationships the same legal recognition or rights enjoyed by married couples or domestic partners recognised under California state law.

To qualify, applicants must meet conditions including mutual consent and the absence of blood relationships that would prevent marriage under California law. They must also submit the required paperwork to the city clerk.

The ordinance is part of West Hollywood’s broader effort to extend protections to people in non-traditional family and relationship structures.

In March, the city council approved a separate measure prohibiting discrimination based on family or relationship structure, including polyamorous relationships. It subsequently directed officials to develop a registration system and additional protections for people in multi-partner households.

Reacting to the latest development, attorney and activist Christina Fialho, who advocated for the protections, described the ordinance as an important beginning.

“This law is just the beginning,” she told the Los Angeles Times, adding that it could help people envision a future they previously considered out of reach.

West Hollywood’s decision follows similar moves in parts of Massachusetts. The cities of Somerville and Cambridge began recognising multi-partner domestic relationships through local registries in 2020.(Punch)