An Ordonnance Recognizing Domestic Partnerships of Three or More People

The american City of Somerville, Massachusetts, has passed its first domestic partnership ordonnance while broadening the definition of domestic partnerships to three or more adults. The ordonnance passed unanimously last Thursday, on June 25th, and was signed into law by Mayor Joseph Curtatone on Monday, June 29th.

Before this bill came into law, the city had no domestic partnership ordonnance, making it difficult for unmarried couples or people in non-traditional relationship structures to access healthcare through their partner.s. The bill, drafted by counselor and lawyer Lance Davis, was born out of necessity during the pandemic and has legal bearing before insurance companies. It assures health insurance benefits and hospital visiting rights to people covered by the ordonnance.

The initial proposition was not so comprehensive of non-traditional partnerships because of the specificity that a domestic partnership had to consist of an entity of two persons. Councilor J. T. Scott brought the exclusion of polyamorous residents to the attention of the council and that line was removed from the proposal. 

Somerville’s domestic partnership ordonnance is currently applicable on city employees, and it is unsure whether the private sector will take similar initiatives. There is also a very distinct possibility that the ordonnance could be struck down in court by health insurance companies. However, the legal precedence would remain significant by showing that it can be done.

“[It is not] the place of government to tell people what is or is not a family”

Councilor Lance Davis, City of Somerville

The creation of an ordonnance broadening the limitations on domestic partnership consequentially validates people’s experiences relating to ethical non-monogamy and atypical family dynamics. It also expands the definition of partnership, which do not necessarily have to be romantic partners. It keeps the government outside of people’s hearts and bedrooms and aims at allowing residents to define for themselves with whom they share finances. On the topic of polyamory, Davis says that is is not “ the place of government to tell people what is or is not a family.”