US city approves partner registration for throuples, foursomes

The West Hollywood City Council in California has passed an ordinance allowing people in polyamorous relationships, including throuples and foursomes, to register their partnerships, The PUNCH reports.

The council unanimously approved the measure, introduced by Mayor John Heilman, on Tuesday, creating a registry for consensual relationships involving three or more adults.

Registered partners will enjoy hospital visitation rights and some protections against eviction, while healthcare facilities and jails in the city must allow them to visit patients or inmates.

The law does not grant them the rights of married couples or domestic partners recognised under California law.

Applicants must give mutual consent and not be related by blood in ways that would bar marriage under state law.

Attorney and activist Christina Fialho, who advocated for the protections, told the Los Angeles Times: “This law is just the beginning.”

In March, the city banned discrimination based on family or relationship structure. Somerville and Cambridge in Massachusetts began similar registries in 2020.