West Hollywood has become one of the first cities in the United States to legally recognize multi-partner relationships. On Tuesday, city officials unanimously approved a new domestic partnership ordinance that allows three or more individuals in committed relationships to officially register as domestic partners.
The ordinance, introduced by Mayor John Heilman, grants registered partners certain rights, including hospital visitation and additional tenant protections. However, it does not confer the same legal rights as married couples or traditional domestic partners.
To register, three or more people must submit paperwork to the city clerk, demonstrating mutual consent and confirming they are not blood relatives. The protections extend to healthcare facilities and city-operated jails, which must recognize visitation rights for registered partners. Additionally, landlords will be prohibited from terminating or refusing to renew a lease solely because a registered partner remains in the rental property.
Those seeking recognition are not required to live in West Hollywood, as the registry is open to individuals outside the city. Christina Fialho, an attorney and founder of the bisexual media representation advocacy group Rewrite the BiLine, first proposed the protections to West Hollywood Councilmember Chelsea Lee Byers in early 2025. Fialho celebrated the ordinance, stating that it is "just the beginning" and makes it possible for people to "dream about a future they once thought was out of reach."
The vote follows months of efforts by West Hollywood officials to expand legal recognition for unconventional relationships. In March, the City Council unanimously advanced plans to establish a multi-partner domestic partnership registry. Officials had previously approved an anti-discrimination ordinance that added "family or relationship structure" as a protected class, aiming to shield individuals in polyamorous and other nontraditional households from discrimination. A task force was also established to determine the registry's operational details.
Councilmember Byers described the earlier protections as "long overdue," citing rising costs and mounting pressures on access to essential services. Fialho had previously told the Los Angeles Times that cities are increasingly recognizing diverse family structures, stating, "Cities are realizing families come in many forms and that they should protect, not police those relationships."
Similar measures have been adopted in other cities. Somerville and Cambridge in Massachusetts were among the first cities to permit the registration of multi-partner relationships several years ago. The new ordinance in West Hollywood follows a broader political shift in California, with Democrats securing majorities in the House and Senate and a majority of governorships nationwide following recent elections.
Megan Katz, a West Hollywood librarian, expressed that while she had not personally experienced workplace discrimination, she knew others who had. She also voiced concerns that her children might face prejudice due to her relationship arrangement.