Somerville, MA Passes Non-discrimination Protections
On March 23, 2023, the city of Somerville, Massachusetts passed a groundbreaking bill protecting individuals with diverse family and relationship structures from discrimination! This ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment and policing based on a person's family or relationship structure. A housing non-discrimination bill is also in committee. The bill covers diverse family types like multi-partner/multi-parent households, step-families, and multi-generational homes, as well as consensually non-monogamous relationships of all varieties!
Millions of adults with diverse family and relationship structures often face stigma, discrimination, and other barriers. This bill ensures that individuals in consensually non-monogamous relationships and non-nuclear families enjoy the same legal protections as any other family or relationship.
Here’s what the bill's sponsor, Willie Burnley Jr., City Councilor At-Large for Somerville, had to say:
As a polyamorous person, I'm grateful to live in a city that embraces rather than punishes people based on their family or relationship structure. These protections ensure that our neighbors know that they live in a community where they can be who they are freely and love whom they love openly without fear of government interference.
Image description: A diverse group of 12 individuals pose in the legislative chambers following passage of the bill.
OPEN was proud to be part of an advocacy coalition backing the bill alongside our partners at the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition, Chosen Family Law Center, and Asexual Visibility and Education Network. We’re continuing to work together to advance identical legislation in more cities nationwide. Stay tuned!
