ik it’s been said by much more knowledgeable people, but marriage for polyamorous people is more important than just representation or equal rights; it’s not just that poly people (and gay people) should be allowed to marry because it’s a symbolic ceremony that straight people get to do— it’s because it’s a LEGAL DOCUMENT giving you express LEGAL RIGHTS to that person’s well-being! it gives you the ability to make decisions for them if they are unable— say; unconscious, unwilling, or dead— it gives you the rights to their property, makes you next of kin guardian for the children you have together, makes it so you can file taxes together, makes it so you have the right to see your partner if something happens and they are confined to a hospital room. and so much more than that!
i feel like it’s so common to shrug off marriage rights for unconventional relationships or families because “it’s just a symbol and title— they can still just hold a wedding if they want to have one! they don’t need to do that to live together and raise children, so just leave it be.” but it’s NOT just a symbol or title. it is a fundamental right to be able to put YOUR future (your children, your estate, your possessions, your life if you’re in a coma) in the hands of people you actually love and trust
how many stories have we heard about trans people buried with their deadname, because the only people legally allowed to handle their funeral were their transphobic parents?
this is why gay people back in the day used to adopt each other. because marriage wasn’t legal and they needed SOME form of recognized protection if anything happened.
and, though i can’t speak much on it, this is also why the laws for disabled married people need to be different.
EVERYONE deserves the right to marry who they want. because marriage is a FUNDAMENTAL right, about CHOOSING who you trust to be legally handling your affairs.
and if who you trust is multiple partners, or even just several of your friends, it should be legal for you to tell the government that.
