Lots of Love: Polyamorous and Nontraditional Family Structures Gain Anti-Discrimination Protections in Cities in California, Oregon, and Washington
At a Glance U.S. West Coast cities have expanded workplace anti-discrimination laws to recognize polyamorous and “non-normative family or relationship structures” as new protected categories. No states have yet enacted similar laws, but states like CA, OR, and WA may face pressure to do so as more cities in those states recognize these new protections. Cities along the U.S. West Coast and beyond are expanding workplace anti-discrimination laws to cover diverse family and relationship structures, including polyamorous and other “non-normative family or relationship structures.” Indeed, cities in multiple states have adopted such protections, including Oakland in California; Portland in Oregon; Cambridge in Massachusetts; and Olympia in Washington. Some of the legislative histories of these laws state that individuals with “non-normative family or relationship structures” face discrimination in certain areas of life—including in the workplace—and seek to remedy such...