A city in California, United States, has introduced a new policy that is attracting attention because of the kind of relationships it allows people to officially register.
West Hollywood has approved an ordinance allowing people involved in relationships with three or more partners to register as domestic partners with the city.
The decision was unanimously approved by the city’s five-member council on November 3, 2026. It covers relationships commonly known as throuples, where three people are romantically involved, as well as other arrangements involving multiple partners.
Under the new rules, registered partners will receive certain protections, including the right to visit one another in hospitals and city-run jails. The policy also provides some protection for people sharing rented homes, making it harder for a landlord to end a tenancy simply because another registered partner lives in the property.
Interestingly, people do not necessarily have to live in West Hollywood to register their relationships.
However, the decision does not mean that three or more people can legally marry under California law. The registration offers limited local protections and does not provide all the rights enjoyed by married couples.
Supporters of the policy say it will help people in multi-partner relationships receive fair treatment when dealing with housing, healthcare and other services.
The decision has also attracted criticism and raised questions about how traditional ideas of marriage and family are changing.
West Hollywood’s move is part of a wider discussion in the United States about recognising different family structures and protecting people from discrimination.
For now, the new policy has placed the California city at the centre of a growing debate about relationships and legal rights.