West Hollywood is taking the lead: the city now recognises families that don't fit the traditional picture. No longer just mum, dad and two biological children—reality looks very different. Fewer than 18 percent of American households fit that classic model, yet our laws still reflect it.

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

The problem is bigger than you think. People in relationships with multiple partners cannot care for children together without legal issues. They cannot share health benefits. Employers can still fire them simply because of their family structure—there is no law against it. Over one in six people with differently structured relationships avoid discussing it at work. They fear discrimination in housing and employment.

The number of young people in or open to relationships with multiple partners is growing. With 15 percent of Generation Z considering this, we cannot ignore it anymore. West Hollywood is taking the first step now. It is time the rest of California follows.