Let’s Celebrate Polyamory Day with Canada This Month

On November 23rd, 2011, the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled that Canada’s anti-polygamy law does not apply to unformalized polyamorous households, thus declaring polyamory legal in Canada.

Since then, November 23rd has been recognized as Polyamory Day in Canada.

This is something to celebrate, even if you, like myself, live in the United States. It is a huge step forward in the fight to extend legal rights and protections to non-monogamous relationships.

While it isn’t illegal to have multiple consensual relationships in the U.S., there are very few legal protections for these relationships. It is also illegal for more than two people to get married, further restricting the rights and benefits non-monogamous relationships can enjoy. Think of all the benefits of monogamously married couples: joint tax filing, government and employment benefits, spousal medical decision-making, and more.

Many of these benefits may be taken for granted in monogamous marriages but can have a serious impact on a committed non-monogamous relationship. Polyamorous folks can also face further discrimination with housing and property, employment rights, and inheritance laws with no legal recourse.

This struggle is something polyamorous folks are all too familiar with, as the fight has been a long and difficult road. That is why it is essential to stay informed. Use your vote to voice your support for non-monogamous relationship protections. If you are able, get involved in the fight for legal recognition for consensual polyamorous relationships in your state. This can look like many different things, from contacting your local representatives or getting involved with a grass-roots organization.

The fight is far from over until non-monogamous couples enjoy the same rights as monogamous couples. However, that does not mean that we have to ignore the progress we’ve made or refuse to find moments to celebrate. This November 23rd, let’s celebrate Polyamory Day with happiness for our relationships, the progress Canada has made, and the progress we are making here in the United States.

Happy (early) Polyamory Day, everyone!