Poly Marriage

[ashley_y]

Marriage is more than just a relationship, specifically, it has government recognition, with implications for property and responsibility for children. Currently there is no polyamorous marriage in the United States. None of the states recognise it, and to attempt it is to commit the felony of polygamy. (Ironically, deceptive bigamy is a mere

Comments

[hydrolagus]

I'm not sure that desire for it is common enough for it to be relevant to change the law to recognize it. Removal of the felony status would allow that to be assessed more easily. Despite the density of poly folk in this area, I don't think the percentage is all that high statewide let alone nationwide.
I'm also not sure polyamorous marriage is ready for the big-time. Polyamory is not a generally familiar concept. It would also be good to have more stable families to reference before inviting the press, and definitely a higher stability-to-drama ration. Not that 2-person monogamy is short on drama, but dirty laundry sells papers.
Given then variability of poly structures, I'm fine with polyamorous marriage being recognized civilly, with its legal structure being custom-assembled by the participants. A book of templates would be useful.

[ignusfaatus]

I think people should be able to marry if they see fit, that said I believe that marriage as it is structured now with the tax stuff and even the way divorce is handled really turns legal marriage into something that defines some participants as property. Given that polyamory is complicated at best it sounds like a recipe for disaster. But people should be free to make a mistake if they must.

I don't think marriage is romantic. I think an llc would be far more loving and romantic.

[ashley_y]

It may not be romantic for the participants, but it is certainly romantic for the wedding guests.

[quetz]

true, but we're talking about the legal form here, not the emotional/spiritual connection. If you allow Marriage as a legal partnership like a Corporation, then you can open the door to many forms of such entities.