West Hollywood becomes first US city to recognise polyamorous relationships with new registry

West Hollywood has become the first US city to establish a dedicated registry recognising polyamorous relationships, allowing people in non-monogamous relationships to register their partnerships.

The City Council voted unanimously, 5 to 0, on 2 November 2026 to establish the registry.

It gives multi-partner families new local protections, including rights relating to rent-stabilised housing and hospital visitation.

West Hollywood recognises polyamorous relationships

The initiative was brought to the city in March 2025 by Christina Fialho, founder and president of Rewrite the BiLine. Mayor John Heilman introduced the legislation, saying it was intended “to recognise that there are some people now living in households where they are a throuple”.

He said the city should provide “whatever protection we can for them as a family and for their children”.

The registry follows earlier non-discrimination legislation in West Hollywood, championed by Councilmember Chelsea Lee Byers, which protects people from discrimination based on their family or relationship structure.

Campaigners welcome the new registry

Christina Fialho, founder and president of Rewrite the BiLine, a non-profit organisation that advocates for bisexual people and non-nuclear families, welcomed the new registry.

“At a time when the federal government is intensifying attacks on LGBTQ+ people, we are grateful to the City of West Hollywood for demonstrating what equality looks like in practice.

“While comprehensive reform must happen at the state level, West Hollywood proved forty years ago that local action can spark nationwide progress. Today’s step is truly historic and the first of many more to come,” she said in a news release.

“Families have always been wider than the law” – Brett Chamberlin on polyamorous relationships

Brett Chamberlin, executive director of OPEN, an organisation that advocates for the rights and acceptance of non-monogamous individuals, said: “Families have always been wider than the law.

“West Hollywood just gave people in non-monogamous relationships rights they’ve never had, and showed what’s possible when a city leads.”

According to a 2019 study reported by CBS, an estimated 5 per cent of people living in the US are in non-monogamous relationships.

West Hollywood previously made history in 1985 by becoming the first US city to introduce a domestic partnership registry for same-sex couples.