Under Irish law, polyamorous couples have no legal recognition. Similarly, in other European countries and the United States, relationship status, which would recognise a monogamous or polyamorous dynamic in a relationship, is not recognised by federal law. Because of this, queer partners in polyamorous relationships have historically been denied the legal freedoms awarded to those in monogamous relationships.

Polyamorous relationships usually include multiple romantic and sexual partners with mutual consent. Polyamory has always been alive and well, but is negatively depicted, both in the media and in the political sphere.

This general lack of social acceptance has allowed for the blatant discrimination of people in polyamorous relationships.

In a 2025 article investigating the challenges faced by those in queer polyamorous relationships, LGBTQ+ Nation introduces long-term partners Bryan Lowder, Cam McDonald, and Tristan Chirico. Lowder and McDonald were married for three years before they met Chirico, who has now been happily a part of their relationship for seven years.

 

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Unfortunately, the three men have faced legal challenges as their relationship progressed. Since Lowder and McDonald are legally married, Chirco is excluded from many of the medical, financial, and housing protections that the two share.

The throuple is now seeking a lawyer to help protect their queer polyamorous relationship.

The Polyamorous Legal Advocacy Coalition (PLAC) – an advocacy group of legal professionals focused on protecting the rights of polyamorous people – has worked to secure protections for others in the same situation as Lowder, McDonald, and Chirico. Two proposed PLAC policies have been adopted by the progressive cities of Cambridge and Somerville in Massachusetts.

Many queer polyamorous partners have worked around existing laws and protections to secure their relationship, including legally binding wills and estate planning.

A more inclusive set of legal protections for people in non-monogamous relationships would additionally benefit single adults. Inclusivity offers an advantage for a variety of citizens, not just those in a polyamorous relationship.

Multiple organisations, including PLAC, the Modern Family Institute, and the Chosen Family Law Center, are dedicated to lobbying for polyamorous rights. Furthermore, those in polyamorous relationships are committed to establishing their own protections, even though the law has failed to do so.