West Hollywood takes the lead: the city now recognises families too. Not just mum, dad and two biological children anymore. Less than eighteen percent of American households fit that traditional picture. Yet our laws are still based on it.

LGBTQ+ residents in West Hollywood build chosen families. These include bi-, trans- and non-binary people. These are real families without official recognition. That must change now. The city took two historic steps to address this. California has done much for LGBTQ+ rights already. In 2004, Mayor Gavin Newsom gave marriage licences to same-sex couples. Now it concerns families outside the traditional picture.

The problem is bigger than you think. People in relationships with multiple partners cannot care for children together. They cannot share health benefits with each other. Employers can still fire them for their family structure. There is no law against it. One in six people with different relationships fear workplace discrimination. They fear discrimination in housing and work.

The number of young people in polyamorous relationships is growing. Fifteen percent of generation Z considers this option. We cannot ignore this anymore. West Hollywood takes the first step now. California must follow quickly.