Massachusetts Town Legally Recognizes Polyamorous Relationships

As a result of COVID-19, the town of Somerville, Massachusetts, has recognized polyamory (NBCBoston.com, July 4, 2020). Not to be confused with polygamy—a heterosexual taking more than one spouse—polyamory is a situation where “any person of any gender can have multiple partners.” The town council legally recognized the practice, giving polyamorous people some of the rights and privileges of married couples. Those who created the new town ordinance point to COVID-19 as the reason.

Noting that in the midst of the pandemic only “family” members were allowed to visit their sick loved ones in the hospital, the town council chose to expand the definition of family to accommodate these individuals. As noted by NBC Boston, one city councilor said, “It validates their existence, it validates the way they love.” The councilor also stated, “When the government has tried to define what is and not a family, we’ve done a really poor job.” The ordinance was unanimously approved by the town council and is one of the first of its kind in the nation.

Expressing support for the new ordinance, one city resident commented, “I think it’s great.… It’s a lifestyle choice, it’s something that doesn’t hurt anybody, it’s just confined to the people in the relationship and why shouldn’t they have the same rights that other types of families have?” Today, many have forgotten that the Bible provides a very clear definition of family (Genesis 2:24–25). This definition protects husbands, wives, and children. The biblical family was designed by God to be a blessing and to help each member build godly character and learn important lessons, including the importance of life-long commitment that leads to family stability. Sadly, those who advocate for non-biblical family structures set themselves up for failure and heartache. To learn how to have a godly marriage and a happy and stable family, be sure to read or listen to God’s Plan for Happy Marriage.