West Hollywood unanimously passes ordinance granting protections for polyamorous relationships

West Hollywood’s city council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing people in relationships involving three or more adults to seek certain protections under city law. The measure recognises consensual multipartner relationships for limited purposes, while stopping short of treating them as marriages or registered domestic partnerships.

Partners who meet the criteria can file a declaration with the city clerk, giving them rights that include hospital and jail visitation. The council approved the measure 5-0; it takes effect 30 days after adoption. A University of Virginia professor criticised the policy, arguing it could normalise polyamory and lead to harms for women and children, while the article notes that only a handful of local governments have adopted similar protections.