Last month, Olympia became the first city in Washington, and one of just a handful in the country, to pass explicit protections for polyamorous families.

The city passed two ordinances in late February that establish protections for people in diverse family and relationship structures. 

Supporters say the changes are aimed at protecting these community members against discrimination and unfair housing practices. 

Similar efforts are underway in multiple cities across the west coast. 

More than 60% of people who responded to a 2025 survey on non-monogamy said they experienced discrimination or stigma in at least one domain, like healthcare or employment. 

We spoke to an advocate who backed these ordinances -- and who's hoping to bring similar change to Seattle. 

Guests:
Jessa Davis is the executive director for the Seattle Coalition for Family and Relationship Equity

Related links:
First WA city with protections for polyamorous families | The Olympian
In the Northwest, polyamory finds something new: legal protection | The Seattle Times
Polyamorous protections moving ahead in Portland as council reaffirms LGBTQ safe harbor status | oregonlive.com
2025 Community Survey Report | OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy)

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Last month, Olympia became the first city in Washington, and one of just a handful in the country, to pass explicit protections for polyamorous families.
The city passed two ordinances in late February that establish protections for people in diverse family and relationship structures.&nbsp;
Supporters say the changes are aimed at protecting these community members against discrimination and unfair housing practices.&nbsp;
Similar efforts are underway in multiple cities across the west coast.&nbsp;
More than 60% of people who responded to a 2025 survey on non-monogamy said they experienced discrimination or stigma in at least one domain, like healthcare or employment.&nbsp;
We spoke to an advocate who backed these ordinances -- and who's hoping to bring similar change to Seattle.&nbsp;
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Jessa Davis is the executive director for the Seattle Coalition for Family and Relationship Equity</li>
</ul>
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article314855142.html">First WA city with protections for polyamorous families | The Olympian</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2026/02/portland-moves-to-extend-discrimination-protections-to-polyamorous-people.html"></a><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/in-the-northwest-polyamory-finds-something-new-legal-protection/?block=ebnightcap&amp;utm_source=marketingcloud&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Evening+Brief+03-02-26_3_2_2026&amp;utm_term=">In the Northwest, polyamory finds something new: legal protection | The Seattle Times</a><a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2026/02/portland-moves-to-extend-discrimination-protections-to-polyamorous-people.html"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2026/02/portland-moves-to-extend-discrimination-protections-to-polyamorous-people.html">Polyamorous protections moving ahead in Portland as council reaffirms LGBTQ safe harbor status | oregonlive.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.open-love.org/blog/2025-community-survey-report">2025 Community Survey Report | OPEN (Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy)</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Olympia recently became the first city in Washington to pass explicit protections for polyamorous families. We sat down with someone who was involved in that effort.... and who hopes to bring a similar change to Seattle. 