Law
< Polyamory
< fauxpoe
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Important Note: As of April 29, 2004, none of this advice can apply in the Commonwealth of Virginia. House Bill No. 751 "Marriage Affirmation Act" bans gay marriage or civil union, and bans recognizing gay marriages or civil unions performed in other states, but it also bans any "partnership contract or other arrangements that purport to provide the benefits of marriage." This means wills, custody agreements, powers of attorney, joint property, and medical powers of attorney that poly families in Virginia can be easily overturned. Even if you're a couple that CHOOSES not to be married, you're going to be very much at the mercy of how liberal or not the judge is.
Some Vancouverites in "polyamorous" relationships are feeling a mixed sense of relief after a court decision upheld Canada's law regarding multiple marriages. Released Wednesday, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bauman's 335-page decision says the Criminal Code section that prohibits polygamy does not cover the various forms of consensual, non-monogamous relationships known as polyamory. "My personal relationship is not illegal according to the definitions of this decision," said Zoe Duff, one of the directors of the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association who is in a polyamorous arrangement with two men. "That's a relief." However, Bauman's decision also says formal marriages, legally recognized or not, with more than two people are against the law.
