Will the Welsh Government make a statement on its position in relation polyamorous relationship rights and recognition?
Polyamory does not fall directly under the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010, although it may coincide with other characteristics which are protected such as religion or belief or sexual orientation. Protections for marriage or civil partnership status apply to those who are married or in a civil partnership but do not protect those not in a legal marriage or civil partnership. Our approach to the promotion of equality is set out in the Strategic Equality Plan 2020-2024.
Many of the rights and recognitions which relate to the relationship status of individuals fall to marriage law. At present England and Wales law only recognises marriage or civil partnership as a union between two people, polyamorous unions are not recognised as lawful. Marriage law is not devolved to Wales.
The Law Commission is currently reviewing Weddings Law. The scope of this review is limited to how and where marriages and civil partnerships can be solemnised. It does not extend to the legal status of being married and the consequences that flow from that.