A branch from the Scottish Fire Brigades Union submitted a motion for the Scottish Trades Union Congress to recognize polyamorous marriages under the Equality Act.
The LGBT group in the union wants the motion debated during the annual Congress of the union body at Dundee, at the end April. They say the stigma surrounding polyamory must be challenged.
The motion states that “while polyamory may be perfectly legal,” it is not recognized as a legal status protected under the Equality Act 2010 It can affect inheritance, parental rights, and medical decisions. Relationships that are polyamorous can be just as valid as those that are monogamous.
The Conference calls on the STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Committee, to form a working group that will examine the rights of people who are polyamorous and consider possible legislative changes to protect these rights.
Polyamory refers to the practice of having multiple romantic relationships at the same time with the consent of all partners.
A YouGov survey in January 2025 of almost 2,000 UK adults found that 3% had been in polyamorous relationships, 1% were in one at the time, and 7% are open to it.
Eighty-three percent have never been in or would not want to be in a relationship with polyamory, 4% do not know and 3% prefer to remain anonymous.
The Equality Act protects sexual orientation, marriage, and civil partnerships, but polyamorous individuals do not have any specific rights.
The STUC stated that the motion is part of an “agenda preliminary” and was only submitted for consideration.
Some people are incredulous about the idea that polyamory is a protected characteristic. Some people are not convinced that polyamory should be a protected characteristic.
It’s worse than that, as employers and unions are often the ones who insist that employees be’recognised for who they are’ or that they ‘bring themselves’ to work.
It is not surprising that the trans-lobby is leading this trend of self-indulgence.
Leanne Yau is a polyamory educator, and the founder of the Poly Philia Blog. She said, “This issue is a non-issue.” Who is this motion harmful to?”
Polyamory is recognized as a legal relationship
Polyamory is only recognised legally in a few places. It’s also known as ethical or consensual non-monogamy.
In Massachusetts, the cities of Cambridge and Somerville have passed laws that recognize relationships with more than two individuals, while Oakland, Berkeley, and Berkeley, California, have passed legislation prohibiting discrimination in business, civil service, and housing “based on family or relationship structure”.
Yau said to The Times, “I think polyamory is the new frontier in which people debate rights related to relationships and families. The first group to be added was the gay community, followed by transgender people. Now, polyamorous individuals are also being included.
“There’s a larger question about how LGBTQIA+ people’s rights are linked to polyamory… But I think that there is much to say about ways to improve rights for polyamorous individuals.” The polyamorous family is often scrutinized and faces discrimination similar to that which was once leveled at LGBT people.
In a 2018 article in the Journal for Sex Research, it was found that polyamorous couples in the US were “more likely” to identify as bisexuals or pansexuals.
Personnel Today found only one case in which an employee claimed that he was discriminated against because he is polyamorous. The court ruled that polyamory was a manifestation, and not an actual sexual orientation. The claimant does not have a reasonable chance of proving that polyamory constitutes a sexual preference.
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