Polyamorous Civil Union Solemnized in the Netherlands

I am pleased to announce that the first legal civil union between three polyamorous partners was solemnized in the Netherlands on September 23, 2005.

Victor de Bruijn married both Mirjam Geven and Bianca (no last name given) in a ceremony before a notary who duly registered their civil union. De Bruijn is heterosexual and both women are bisexual.

When asked to comment, Victor said,“A marriage between three persons is not possible in the Netherlands, but a civil union is. We went to the notary in our marriage costume and exchanged rings. We consider this to be just an ordinary marriage.”

Predictably, there has been a flurry of outraged reaction from conservatives, all bemoaning this turn of events and uttering dire predictions of gloom if such a thing catches on in larger numbers and is allowed to continue. Those against gay marriage, have been gleefully saying "I told you so", as they'd previously used slippery slope arguments in their opposition to same sex unions, saying it would lead to legal acknowledgement of "polygamy".

Though I've always agreed with conservatives that the acceptance of gay marriage would likely eventually lead to the legal acceptance of multi-partner unions, I see this as a good thing, rather than a disturbing one. It's about time that there is an official acknowledgement that human beings are not naturally monogamous and that provision is made for those who wish to live in legally and socially recognized nonmonogamous relationships.

While I still believe that the best thing would be to eliminate marriage of any sort as a legal category altogether, I also firmly believe that as long as legal marriage exists, it should be available to all consenting adults: straight, gay, bi, monogamous and nonmonogamous. I see the extension of legal marriage and its attendant benefits as an important middle step to the ultimate goal of completely privatizing marriage and its total deregulation.

I also see this as an important step in recognizing all adult consensual sexual arrangements, including libertinism.

Congratulations to Victor, Bianca, and Mirjam. May they know nothing but happiness together.
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http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/301